TSS Develops Thermal Spray PPE Guidelines

“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.”

The document provides guidelines for establishing PPE programs for thermal spraying, assessing hazards associated with thermal spray operations and training workers about PPE, as well as guidelines for selecting, using and maintaining PPE. The information is consistent with OSHA’s Personal Protective Equipment Standard (29 CFR 1910.132-138).

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.