The introduction of environmental and industrial health and safety issues and emerging technologies in a beginning manufacturing processes course

Abstract

Introductory courses pertaining to manufacturing processes have traditionally been included in the curriculums of associate and baccalaureate programs in mechanical engineering technology. The majority of these courses emphasize such topics as forging, rolling, casting, welding, and machining, among others. While these courses typically provide an outstanding foundation in the particular subject area and process mechanics, many have not included any significant coverage in the areas of environmental management or industrial health and safety. In addition, non-traditional areas such as clean room manufacturing, green manufacturing, or nanomanufacturing have not been typically covered appropriately, if at all, in the majority of undergraduate technology programs. Undoubtedly, it can be argued that any of these before mentioned manufacturing processes, both traditional and emerging, could present adverse conditions to worker health and safety as well as potential detriments to the environment. Conventional wisdom would lead one to believe that an engineering technology professional, wellversed in the environmental and occupational regulations in these types of manufacturing environments, would have a competitive advantage over those with little to no background. Thus, it could easily be argued that subject matter content in these courses should be modified to include an appropriate coverage of these topics. Recently, a successful attempt was made to introduce environmental, health, and safety issues and non-traditional manufacturing processes to mechanical engineering technology undergraduate students in a beginning manufacturing processes course. The relative environmental, health and safety aspects of each particular process was discussed during the traditional lecture(s) as well as during an individual lecture prepared specifically on environmental, health, and safety issues pertaining to manufacturing. In addition, an effort was made to emphasize these important issues during the scheduled laboratory time of the course. Future efforts include the addition of formalized lab modules to complement course lectures. © American Society for Engineering Education, 2006.