On-site risks with refractories.
at the end I will ask to add comments to what you think is irrelevent or missing. I am not a safety specialist.
I don’t think it is a dangerous job – refractories that is. I think the environment and potential influences can be dodgy. Yes, in some instances hot repairs or danglin of a rope, being in a cage while hanging from a crane into a stack …. wait, I take that back – it can be a dangerous job.
Getting into Hazard identification and Risk analysis means one has to address the specifics of where you are and how things can change. If it is weather affecting you or people suddenly working above or below you, a furnace routinely tapping nearby…. or whatever could influence conditions.
Point is that I am going to note Risks that are fairly generic and it’s not specific to one area of application or engagement either
General material handling.
- Weight of bags are typically 12.5 to 25kg … I’m just saying this is what it is, if a client or companies policy says max lifting by an individual is 20kg then let them know what you are dealing with.
- Placing bags on the mixer lid – it helps to have a step to avoid lifting bags above a safe height if it’s a huge mixer.
- Bricks and other shaped refractory objects have pinch points or creates them when handling it.
- Stacking bags, bricks or shaped objects can result in it falling over.
- Opening packaging may require use of blade (Stanley knife) take care & cut away from the body.
- Overloading scaffold with material supplied introduces a not so nice place to be.
- Obstructing areas with oversupply of material.
- Forklifts, trolley jacks and wheel barrows have their own set of checks but worth noting it to be sure all risks are assessed.
Mixing of material:
- Dust inhalation and eye irritation when material is being mixed dry. (*wear mask and eye protection)
- Housekeeping – waste can accumulate and obstruct the area – keep waste segregated or barricaded.
- Material and water addition must also be done in a manner that the operator can see into the mixer and not mess water over the sides or on electrical components.
- Buckets for moving material must be sufficiently strong to carry the repeated load.
- Buckets must not be damaged. –
Equipment:
- “Deadman switch” (auto off) – does it work when mixer lid is lifted. Plug machine out when cleaning. Do not climb into machine, clean from outside – unless of course there is no alternative to getting in – but then check for stored energy by pressing the start button after it is unplugged..
- Moving parts on mixer! Do not work inside a mixer unless it is de-energized!
- Beware of tripping hazards with electrical cables.
Vibrating tools:
- Clamp on vibration must be safely secured. If it detaches or breaks bolts or clamps, it can cause damages.
- Pokers or insertion vibrators must be switched of completely before placed on a surface.
- HAVS (hand arm vibration syndrome) due to having vibrating equipment in hand for to long can cause numbing effect and blood flow issues. Rotate between employees – take rest.
Gunite (pneumatic pressure installation):
- High pressure air 4 to 7 bar and water up to 10 bar is used.
- High velocity material! Do not stand in the line of fire/application!
- Severe dust if water application is incorrect. This will limit visibility, irritate eyes and compromise breathing.
- Ensure whiplash protection on air and pressured water hoses.
- Keep hoses clean; blockages can dislodge or cause hose damage ie: rupture.
- Hose and cable management plan or strategy must accommodate movement during installation to prevent entanglement and tripping hazards.
- Guniting will create excessive waste, scaffold platforms must be cleaned at regular intervals to avoid overloading.
Ceramic Fibre
- Inhalation and eye irritation.
- Cutting with blade – take care.
- Wear appropriate PPE.
Anchors:
- Dangerous to walk over or near protruding metallic tips.
Cutting:
- Brick saw! Keep hands clear… develop policy for whether gloves should be worn – it could become a snag point (grabbing).
- Verify if policy requires brick cutting machines and stations to have shields/enclosures?
- Wet cutting – machine drain must be kept clear of dust/mud.
- Dry cutting – excessive dust in area.
- HIGH NOISE!
- Cutting Insulating light weigh brick with a hand saw – take care to keep fingers clear.
General:
- Snag risk of wearing a harness in an anchored area.
- Communication (two way radio), especially between gunite nozzleman and operator!
- Ventilation and light in confined spaces.
- Do not lay electrical, pneumatic or lifting rope down cat ladders or scaffold ladders to obstruct routes.
- Grease or oil application to temporary steel or wood structure ie: potential fire hazard near welding, and slipping hazard. Keep rags nearby do not wipe off on scaffold surfaces.
- Heavy or dense bricks break easily chip- they are hard but brittle – so be careful of splintering pieces wear eye protection.
Ok that’s it for now but it’s a fact that this list will expand so add your comments and I can update as we go.
Regards
barnie@pbe-projects.com
