The foundry industry has a high risk of burns and abrasions. In addition to this phenomenon, attention must also be paid to how they are manifested, i.e., their high diversification. Gloves, as a means of manual protection, are the basis of an adequate occupational risk prevention policy.

Risks present in the foundry

In the first instance, it is worth noting how the needs of the sector have been changing. The introduction of new machinery has led to a growing need for additional protective measures. One of them is, precisely, manual coverage, taking into account that the hands are the most exposed part.

The use of furnaces may involve a certain risk of spontaneous combustion. When delicate metals with a complex chemical composition are used, the worker may be unaware of the hazard. The consequences can be fatal when they reach vital parts, which is why comprehensive coverage is a priority.

The risk of splashing is also present in processes such as the processing of raw materials. For example, red-hot iron poses a high hazard when it becomes fluid or liquid. This circumstance is even more delicate when dealing with small parts that can jump at high speeds.

Injuries occur in any environment, but are particularly relevant in the metal casting industry. The presence of high-pressure furnaces and ducts generates a heating effect on the ground. As a result, a fall or slip of an employee causes burns or wear and tear on the skin of the hands in the medium term.

Regarding radiation, the effect caused by ultraviolet rays should not be ignored. When the metal reaches high temperatures, it begins to emit in this wave. Constant exposure causes vision problems, among which cataracts are the most frequent. In this sense, the company is liable if it does not provide adequate protection.

Another risk can be extracted from the above that, this time, usually receives more attention. Sparks caused by the friction of hot metals tend to fly out of control. The contact with the hands becomes almost constant and, in the long term, triggers a loss of sensitivity in the epidermis.

Manual protection against risks in foundries

In order to minimize the hazards involved in the most common foundry processes, manual protection is essential. The personal protective gloves for the metal casting industry manufactured by Ansell are equipped with heat-resistant seals. This medium has established itself for its high efficiency in sensitive environments such as this one.

They also have a dense coverage that increases protection in sensitive areas. The wrists or fingertips are the most exposed parts. The former, in fact, are essential when working with small parts and subjecting them to high temperatures.

Related to the above, it is advisable to minimize the risk of objects becoming detached. The very mobility of the hands often causes them to fall and come into contact with flammable environments. To avoid this, industrial gloves for foundry areas include microtextured coating, which reinforces the grip.

Even more sensitive processes, such as welding, deserve special mention. Ansell gloves have applications in many fields, such as MIG and TIG welding, A-type welding and arc welding. They protect against the risk of contact with sparks and provide greater coverage thanks to the sleeves and cuff closure.

The demolding process is another of the most dangerous processes. The parts must be treated directly, which requires manual contact that is very damaging when not carried out with protection. As a solution, a foundry safety glove must have a metallic or aluminized coating, which prevents heat conduction to the epidermis.

Ansell has also designed personal protective suits for foundry areas. They are resistant to the risk of cutting, tearing and perforation, thus providing mechanical safety. In this sense, they include layers of different materials such as suede or leather, aluminized fabrics, cotton or KCA (Kevlar - Carbon), which are not so prone to tearing under technically and dynamically demanding conditions.

Ansell's body protection for foundry areas also has other key features. These include the following:

• Coverage against the persistence of flames.
• Resistance to contact with heat sources.
• Protection against the risk of splashing with liquid or molten metal.
• Coverage against possible molten metal ejections.

As mentioned above, gloves for the mining industry are essential. It is necessary to reduce the probability of having an accident in sensitive processes and minimize the impact it may have. In this way, the worker's hands, which are the most exposed part, will be safe and adequately covered.