The NFFS Safety and Health Improvement Program has been designed to review a foundry's safety and health programs, and to assist the foundry with evalulating them against the most recent OSHA enforcement efforts and interpretations, as well as identifying opportunities for improvement.

The program consists of an in-plant evaluation of the foundry's written safety and health programs, procedures and employee training programs. As an example, the program includes a review of the the following items:

• Recordkeeping of annual training programs, including Hearing Conservation, Hazard Communication, Lockout/Tagout, Confined Space, Electrical Safety and Personal Protective Equipement;
• Medical Surveillance requirements for Hearing conservation and Repiratory Protection Programs;
• Fit testing and selection criteria for Respirators and Hearing Protection;
• Evaluation of written programs to meet the increased emphasis of the OSHA area offices on meeting the detailed requirements for these plans.

Also included is a general walkthrough of the facility to verify enforcement of the programs within the workplace. This includes a general review of the facility against the current requirements and enforcement programs of the regional OSHA offices.

Based upon the result of the evaluation process, NFFS will assist its member with resolution of any identified opportunities for improvement. This includes providing template documents and training programs for areas such as Hazard Communication, Hearing Conservation, PPE, Bloodborne Pathogens, Respiratory Protection, Lockout/Tagout, Confined Space and many more.

For additional information, contact:

Jerrod A. Weaver
NFFS Director of Education