Molders

Molders work indoors and with others. Responsibilities are performed mostly during the day and within a standard 40-hour workweek. Tasks are strenuous and require standing, stooping, lifting, and carrying.

Foundry work is hazardous, and the injury rate is higher than the average for all manufacturing industries. Sand molders risk burns from the hot metal, as well as cuts and bruises from handling metal parts, molds, and power tools. Many foundries, however, have introduced safety programs and equipment, which has helped reduce injuries.

The foundry is a noisy place to work, and molders are exposed to dust, dirt, fumes, heat, and sudden temperature changes when the molten metal is being poured into the molds. These conditions could cause rheumatism, colds, pleurisy, and other lung ailments. Many plants have installed improved ventilating and air-conditioning equipment to reduce these health hazards, but such problems still exist in some older foundries.

Sand molders may suffer the loss of some of the intrinsic value of their art as machines replace hand molding. They may compare modern practices unfavorably with the time when molding was largely a manual operation requiring individual talent. However, as sand molders expand their work to all-around molding, they often find increasing satisfaction in that their jobs involve exacting work requiring specific skills and that they contribute to an essential occupation.