NEXT GIFA EXPO DATES SET


The date for the next GIFA, METEC, THERMPROCESS and NEWCAST has now been settled. The international trade community will be able to experience the four successful technology trade fairs again in Düsseldorf from June 16th


to 20th , 2015.


The 2011 staging set a new record for the trade fairs, with about 2,000 exhibitors, 78,558 square meters of booth space and 79,000 visitors from 83 different countries. Event hosts report that the expo had a strong impact on the foundry technology, metallurgy,


thermo process


technology and castings industries that exhibited there. Numerous business transactions were concluded while the fairs were in progress, and most of the exhibiting companies reported that business continued to develop exceptionally well afterwards as well.


OSHA CITES WI BRASS FOUNDRY


The Occupational Safety and Health Administration cited Fall River Foundry with 10 safety violations, including three repeat violations for failing to protect workers from metal dust exposure at its brass foundry in Fall River. Proposed fines total $57,600. The company was given 15 business days from receipt of the citations to respond.


OSHA opened the investigation under the agency’s National Emphasis Program for Primary Metal Industries, which focuses on identifying, reducing and eliminating worker exposures to harmful chemical and physical hazards in establishments producing metal products. The repeat violations specifically involve allowing workers to exceed permissible exposure limits for copper and lead dust as well as failing to implement sufficient engineering controls to reduce metal dust exposure, which includes both copper and lead.


Seven serious violations were also issued, including failure to provide annual respirator fit tests, maintain eating areas free of metal dust, require workers to remove clothing with possible metal dust contamination prior to taking lunch breaks and provide forklift training. Additionally, several of the violations relate to OSHA’s lead standard, including failing to provide sufficient engineering controls to reduce lead exposure, provide warning signs in areas where lead is present and train workers on the hazards of silica.


In addition to the Primary Metals NEP, OSHA also has active emphasis programs for Combustible Dust, Lead, Silica, and Recordkeeping. To inform foundries what OSHA inspectors specifically look for during planned visits, the Non-Ferrous Founders’ Society hosts free webinars advising member foundries how to comply with existing and proposed rules.


March/April 2012 The Crucible • 15


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