Feature Article Protecting our Greatest Asset – Our Workforce By Joseph E. Fritz, Executive Director


through the grapevine, the media or directly from the foundry’s ownership. My first reaction is always to ask: “Was anyone hurt?”, and hopefully breathe a sigh of relief when I learn that everyone is safe, and thankfully, that is usually the case.


W We always hear about when the


rare catastrophic incidents occur in our industry, but how often do we hear about minor mishaps? The fact is there is a significantly greater incidence of employee injuries arising from improper training, carelessness, lack of PPE or improper oversight.


Injuries most frequently reported


by US manufacturers are sprains and strains.


Due to the high incidence of these reportable injuries, this article focuses on that category.


Strains and Sprains According to US Bureau of Labor Statistics, sprains and strains make up nearly 50% of non-fatal injuries occurring in US manufacturing operations, with nearly half of those resulting in lost time. It is important to note that since the pandemic, the incidence of sprains and strains for home workers has been on the rise. Data collected by the ICI over the sprains and


past decade shows that


strains in US investment casting foundries make up 40% of the reportable injuries. Of those injuries, hand and wrist strains account for 30% of reported strains. The occurrence of back and neck strains is at the same level. Arm and shoulder strains account for 15%, followed by leg and knee strains at 5%, with the balance reported as “other sprains”. Nearly half of the reported sprains


and strains occur in the finishing department, 15% occur in inspection and 10% occurs in both the foundry and


18 ❘ November 2023 ®


henever there is a significant mishap in the industry, I generally learn of the incident


wax departments. When considering all strains, over 40% are reported to result in lost time.


Lost Time and Restricted Duty Injuries When considering the lost time due to all injury types in our industry, 30% were strain and sprain related. Of these,


35% were hand and wrist related, as were back and neck. Arm and shoulder sprains resulting in lost time accounted for 15% with the balance reported as “other sprains”. Sprains and


strains account


for approximately 60% of reported restricted duty injuries. Back and neck


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