Objective
To assess the occupational health risk in silica dust-exposed worksites of a ferrous metal foundry in Ningbo City, and to explore the applicability of the occupational health risk assessment method recommended by the International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM) and occupational hazard risk index method.
Methods
A field investigation with risk assessment for silica dust-exposed worksites was conducted using the occupational hazard risk index method and the ICMM occupational health risk assessment method using (risk rating table or risk assessment matrix), respectively.
Results
The medium-sized enterprise was equipped with less effective occupational protection devices. The 8 h time-weighted average concentrations of silica dust in the air of coremaking and moulding worksites were 0.92 mg/m3 and 0.79 mg/m3, respectively, exceeding the national occupational exposure limit (OEL). The risk levels of coremaking and moulding worksites were moderate according to the occupational hazard risk index method, indicating a requirement for control measures such as less exposure time and strengthened protection, and the risk levels of the other worksites were mild. The risk levels of coremaking and moulding worksites were high using the ICMM risk rating table, the levels of the other worksites were medium. All five worksites had"intolerable risk"based on the ICMM risk assessment matrix, which required immediate shutdown.
Conclusion
The ICMM risk rating table is appropriate to assess the occupational health risk of key worksites in the ferrous metal foundry because it shows clear health risks and the assessment results are consistent with actual observed situation.
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