Metal dust and fume associated with melting, fabrication or treatment processes can cause irritation and illness and can lead to serious health problems such as occupational asthma, lung cancer or systemic damage.
Refractory materials used in hot processes and materials used in mould and pattern making can be potential sources of crystalline silica dust. Exposure to respirable crystalline silica is associated with chronic lung diseases such as cancer and tuberculosis. Gases, vapours and mists are commonplace and result from a variety of different sources. Organic vapours from polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and coal tar pitch volatiles (CTPVs) may arise from anode production in the aluminium industry or coke production.
A range of gases and vapours may arise from mould and core making such as formaldehyde, amines or isocyanates. Acid gases and vapours are found in many metal production processes from HF and SO2 in aluminium smelting, pickling processes for cleaning metal, electroplating and polishing processes.

Metal industry processes often involve heavy machinery moving large amounts of material in difficult spaces – cranes, fork-trucks and loaders operate continuously.

In situations where high levels of hearing protection are required, isolation of thewearer is a real risk. Combining hearing protection with communication solutions offers the wearer increased situational awareness when required.