(Schaumburg, IL) — The AFS Institute, the education arm of the American Foundry Society, today announced the availability of a newly revised and updated Foundry E-learning module on "Metalcasting Facility Safety."
To further promote safety in the $52 billion industry, the Institute is offering the module at no charge to every employee at all 1,125 AFS-Member companies. As such, this safety module could bolster the knowledge of hundreds or eventually thousands of people in the foundry industry.
"The AFS Institute wishes to thank current and past members of the AFS EHS Division for their work on this module, in particular Daniel Schwab (Kaiser Aluminum), Brent Charlton (Metal Technologies), Mickey Hannum, and AFS Board Member Earl Miller (Hiler Industries)," said Jen Christian, AFS Director of Training Solutions. "This English-language module is now available and a Spanish-language version will be available soon."
This module introduces the safety hazards commonly found in a metalcasting facility and the practices used to reduce risk. Topics include hazardous noise, machine safety and lockout/tagout, ergonomic risk factors and musculoskeletal disorders, heat-related illness prevention, eye safety, and safe use of foundry tools and equipment. The module also covers department-specific hazards and PPE requirements across key work centers. Upon completion, learners will be able to identify common foundry hazards, apply general safe work practices, and recognize symptoms of the most prevalent foundry injuries and illnesses.
The newly expanded resource guide is also included in the free safety module and available for download. Chris Pisney, Manager of Course Development & Certificate Programs adds, “The updated resource guide now covers every major work center in a foundry. So, whether in their own department or passing through another, foundry employees will have a single reference for the hazards, safe practices, and PPE they're likely to encounter.”
“Over the past several years, AFS and its highly active Environment, Health and Safety Division, have introduced numerous initiatives to help foundries optimize safety,” noted Doug Kurkul, AFS CEO. “In addition to the annual EHS Conference, this includes the newly revised Health & Safety Guide, hosting numerous EHS topical webinars, bringing in high-level safety speakers, reviewing the annual Bureau of Labor Statistics safety data with industry representatives, and the award-winning 2025 Safety Supplement to Modern Casting magazine. Now, at the suggestion of the AFS Board of Directors, the Institute is making this newly revised module available to all employees at all AFS member companies, to further support foundry industry safety.”
To register to take the free module, go to the AFS eStore and add it to your cart. For questions, contact Shelby Goldman at sgoldman@afsinc.org. Please allow three (3) business days for administration. Non-members may purchase the module or may join AFS at this link.
The American Foundry Society is a dynamic technical and advocacy organization that serves and represents the $52 billion metalcasting industry. AFS is the only association serving the entire industry, including all metals and processes, with a three-part focus on advocacy, education, and innovation. AFS also publishes Modern Casting and Casting Source magazines and presents Metalcasting Congress and CastExpo, the largest metalcasting trade events in North America. Founded in 1896, the organization is based in Schaumburg, Illinois, with an advocacy office in Washington, D.C. More information is available at AFSinc.org.