A new safety document developed by the ASM Thermal Spray Society and available free of charge from the TSS Web site provides “Guidelines for the Use of Personal Protective Equipment in Thermal Spraying.”
“It is the belief of the Thermal Spray Society Safety Committee that every person is entitled to work in a safe and healthful environment,” said committee chairman Gregory Wuest of Sulzer Metco (US) Inc. “People are the most important assets in the thermal spray community, and their health and safety are the community’s greatest responsibility.”
These guidelines provide information consistent with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) Personal Protective Equipment Standard (29 CFR 1910.132-138). All information is presented in the context of Thermal Spraying.
Personal protective equipment (PPE) is intended to protect individuals from the risk of injury by creating a barrier against workplace hazards. This document provides guidelines for establishing PPE programs, assessing hazards associated with thermal spray operations, and training workers about PPE, as well as guidelines for selecting, using and maintaining PPE.
Copies of the guidelines, designation SG003-03, may be downloaded free of charge from the Safety Guidelines collection provided by TSS at http://www.asminternational.org/TSS/safety.
The Safety Guidelines Committee comprises expertise from across the thermal spray community. Members include Richard Neiser, Sandia National Laboratories; Aaron Hall, Sandia National Laboratories; Lysa Russo, SUNY at Stony Brook; Daryl Crawmer, Thermal Spray Technologies Inc.; Douglas Gifford, Praxair Surface Technologies Inc.; Donna Guillen, Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratories; and Larry Pollard, Progressive Technologies Inc.
Founded in 1994 as an Affiliate Society of ASM International, TSS is comprised of 1,500 individuals around the globe representing over 500 leading companies, research institutions and universities. The TSS board of directors is focused on the following objectives:
• Increase membership in existing/new segments
• Enhance corporate visibility/value proposition
• Enhance value proposition for members through new products and services
• Engage industry/academic leaders in society
• Increase outreach to promote thermal spray technology outside our own industry
• Increase global exposure
• Ensure financial stability
• Refine society leadership succession planning