Description
The castings are removed from their molds in the shakeout area. Workers in the shakeout area are exposed to all of the fumes and vapors released during melting and pouring. The carbon monoxide levels are usually lower. The risk for silicosis is greater. The highest concentrations of silica dust are produced in the cleaning and finishing processes. Grinding also produces metal dust. An arc welding process (chipping) is used to remove extraneous metal from the castings, exposing finishers to all of the hazards of welding (ozone, carbon monoxide, NO2, and metal fumes) if the local exhaust is inadequate. [Burgess, p. 133-5]