Richard Heath,
Group Health, Safety and Environment Manager
The Cast Metal Federation
Furnace Operations Safety – A User’s Perspective
This presentation will cover the safety and technical issues with the operation and maintenance of a furnaces in a foundry environment. It will consider the application of relevant standards (where available!) and Richard will highlight some interesting statistics relating to situations commonly encountered.
Biography
Richard has worked in the foundry industry since leaving school, with 25 years in a high pressure diecasting foundry where, from starting as a trainee toolmaker, he ultimately became the Group Health, Safety and Environment Manager.
In 2012, he joined the Cast Metals Federation, which is the trade association for the UK foundry industry, as the Health, Safety and Environment Officer. Amongst other activities, he is the administrator of the SHIFT Initiative, the only dedicated foundry industry safety initiative in the Western Hemisphere. Richard is a member of the Health & Safety Executive's oversight committee for foundry safety (CHASAC) and represents the industry on a number of other HSE groups and committees. He also represents the UK on the European Foundry Association's Committee for Energy, Environment, Safety and Health, and is the national NEPSI representative for the UK foundries.
In 2018 Richard was awarded the Institute of Cast Metals Engineers' (ICME) Oliver Stubbs Medal for his work in training and improving health & safety in the UK's metal casting industry. He is also a Professional Member of the ICME.
