Shane's Blog - January 2017
The orderly and peaceful transition of power is complete and metalcasters are now focused on what the new administration can do for the industry. No doubt at the top of the list is the OSHA, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, crystalline silica rule.
For information and background on this ruling, please visit the AFS, American Foundry Society, webpage at http://www.afsinc.org/government/content.cfm?ItemNumber=19149
Our own Simon Adlington, Global Implementation Manager, was in Seattle Washington USA getting a new customer ramped up with the metal casting specific software SYNCHRO ERP and attended the AFS Northwest Chapter meeting. The topic of the meeting was none other than the crystalline silica rule. Simon indicated that there was very strong opposition to this ruling, the meeting was quite lively, and the anger of over the ruling was very apparent. Never-the-less, Simon did enjoy meeting and interacting with others within the metalcasting family.
Simon indicated that there was a larger than expected crowd of more than fifty metal casters attending and the meeting lasted over two hours. The talk was presented by Gerry Croteau, MS, CIH, of the University of Washington Department of Environmental & Occupational Health Sciences. http://deohs.washington.edu/FRCG/personnel
This slide illustrates the exposures by task. It is important to note that the finishing tasks have the highest exposure levels. Increases in exposure is often a function of the use of compressed air in cleaning and floor sweeping tasks. NOTE: PEL is the Permissible Exposure Limit.
The explanation of the rule is that permissible silica exposure has been slashed by fifty percent with the addition of stringent monitoring and preventative measures. Complying with this regulation will have a definitive impact on the financial bottom line and hence the cost of the casting. Silica is inherent to the various sands and refractories that are utilized within the industry.
This slide indicates the exposure by type of metalcasting operation and we note that Large Steel has the highest exposures to crystalline silica.
I myself will be attending the AFS Texas board meeting and general meeting / dinner at the Houston Sam Houston Race Track. If you are in the neighborhood, please stop on by and say hi!
http://www.afstexas.org/event/201701-general-board-meeting/
Until next time, see you on down the road.
Shane Allen
SYNCHRO ERP Head of North American Operations
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