Lestercast Hosts CHASAC Meeting

Driving Health & Safety Forward in the Foundry Sector

On 21st May 2026, Lestercast had the pleasure of hosting the latest meeting of the Castings Health and Safety Advisory Committee (CHASAC), bringing together a mix of industry professionals both on-site and online to share knowledge, experiences, and future direction for health and safety across the UK foundry sector.

What is CHASAC and Why Does It Matter?

CHASAC (Castings Health and Safety Advisory Committee) is a long-established, HSE-led strategic group that has been supporting the foundry industry since 1978 (Formerly FIAC). It brings together key stakeholders including the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), the Cast Metals Federation (CMF), employers, and trade unions, all working towards a shared goal—improving health, safety, and wellbeing across the sector.

It also plays a key role in shaping initiatives such as SHIFT (Safety and Health in Foundry Targets), which provides practical tools, guidance, and shared learning for foundries across the UK.

Being part of CHASAC is both a responsibility and a privilege. At Lestercast, we are proud to have representation on the committee through Tess our Health, Safety and Environment Officer & Cheryl, our HR Administrator, offering insight from both perspectives as they work collaboratively in many aspects of their roles, providing a broader, more holistic perspective on workplace wellbeing. In particular, leading one of the national objectives places us in a position to actively contribute to positive change across the wider industry—not just within our own organisation.

Bringing the Industry Together at Lestercast

The meeting brought together a smaller in-person group of foundry representatives, alongside attendees joining remotely. We were pleased to welcome Richard Heath (Cast Metals Federation), Martin Giles (HM Inspector of Health and Safety, HSE), and additional contributors including occupational hygiene specialists.

Following the meeting, attendees were invited to take part in a site tour led by Russell Gray, our Technical Manager, providing insight into the Lestercast investment casting process and how health and safety is managed in practice.

Feedback from the day was extremely positive, with appreciation expressed for both the discussions and the opportunity to see our operations first-hand.

Key Themes from the Meeting

Safety Culture; Built Over Time, Lost in an Instant

Another key topic was safety culture, how it is developed, sustained, and sometimes unintentionally undermined.

Industry experience suggests that building a positive safety culture can take several years, but it can be quickly impacted by poor decisions, or inconsistent behaviours. This reinforces the need for a holistic approach, where safety is embedded at every level of the organisation, rather than driven solely by policy.

Strengthening Industry Involvement

CHASAC continues to evolve, with a renewed focus on increasing engagement across the sector.

Historically, participation has fluctuated, but the introduction of structured objectives has driven greater involvement from members. These objectives (set over a five-year period) focus on key industry priorities and are led by committee members, encouraging collaboration and shared ownership.

At Lestercast, we are proud to be leading Objective 4: Mental Health and Wellbeing, recognising the growing importance of supporting employees beyond physical safety and addressing work-related stress across the sector.

A Collaborative Approach to Safer Workplaces

The CHASAC meeting reinforced the importance of collaboration across the foundry industry. By sharing knowledge, challenging current thinking, and working together on common goals, the sector continues to move forward in improving both safety and wellbeing.

Hosting this meeting provided a valuable opportunity for Lestercast to contribute to these wider discussions and to demonstrate our ongoing commitment to health and safety – not just within our own operations, but across the industry as a whole.