Assessment of Impact of Harmful Factors of Production Environment in a Foundry

Harmful factors in the working area of foundry operators are considered. The complexity of workflows affects the quality of air in the foundry. The casting process is accompanied by the generation of a significant amount of dust as well as high levels of noise and vibration. The relevant aspect of the study is the assessment of the state of occupational safety, considering the harmful factors at the production in question. Dust content has been thoroughly investigated by dispersive and elemental analysis of dust using X-ray fluorescence analysis and laser diffraction. The impact of the vibroacoustic factor has been studied. An analysis of the sound pressure level in the working areas of the foundry has been provided. The authors have proposed technical measures to reduce dust content and the level of impact of the vibroacoustic factor. The development of a system of measures to minimize harmful impact has been based on a combined analysis of factors. Methods to reduce noise and dust content at workplaces are proposed as follows: organizing a highly efficient system of post-treatment of dust emissions, increasing equipment sound absorption, installing structures to reduce noise pollution, and using a coating system made of dense rubber structures (compounds). Ensuring safe working conditions in working areas of the foundry has been studied; the improvement of working conditions due to the improvement of existing and installation of new noise and vibration protection means has been proposed. An integrated approach to the assessment of production factors has been provided, which has been the key element for the development of engineering and organizational protection measures. The integrated analysis helped identify the degree of impact of harmful factors such as noise, and dust content on machine operators during the casting process and to conduct a comparative assessment of sound pressure levels. The sound pressure can be reduced by 8–10 dB using improved mechanisms of shot-blasting chamber operator protection. More extensive dust protection measures are proposed due to the sample content of 85% of the dust mass less than 100 microns and multicomponent dust with a high content of silicon and iron. The findings provide a technical value for the substantiation of the modernization of noise and dust reduction systems at foundry operator workplaces.