Sector Compliance Branch: Inspections

Primary Metals - Casting/Foundry

The Sector Compliance Branch conducted a sweep of the Primary Metals -Casting and Foundry sub-sector from April 2003 to January 2004. A total of 52 inspections were performed during this period.

• Background
• The Inspections
• Inspection Results

Background

Primary metals operations involve a wide range of processes including extracting metals from ore, smelting, refining, casting, coating and extruding metals for the manufacturing industry. Casting and foundries is one sub-sector of the larger primary metals sector. These facilities are required to obtain and follow the requirements of certificates of approval in order to operate equipment such as gas collection systems and pollution control equipment. They are also required to register any hazardous wastes that are generated, as well as store and ship wastes in accordance with the appropriate regulations.

Environmental issues related to casting and foundry operations include air impacts such as combustion gases released during heating and melting, metal particulates and gases from the cooling and heating of castings, and dust from the fabrication and destruction of moulds. Waste generated may include slag, sludge from wastewater, dust, sand, solvents and oils.

The Inspections

Inspections were conducted in the casting and foundries sub-sector to verify that:

• equipment is being operated in accordance with the requirements of the certificate of approval (air)
• the company is monitoring and reporting according to requirements
• air emissions do not exceed applicable limits
• waste generated is shipped, handled and stored according to appropriate regulations

Inspection Results

The inspectors found a 96% rate of non-compliance within this sub-sector. Some common violations included:

• operating without a certificate of approval for air emissions
• not following the requirements of the certificate of approval (air)
• not complying with the requirements to monitor emissions and prepare reports
• improper waste management practices

View a summary of results.