| Introduction of a safety netting system for cyclone roofs |
DESCRIPTION
During maintenance outages it is sometimes necessary to access the inside of the cement kiln pre-heater tower cyclones for repairs. Although cyclones, which can be up to 10m in diameter, are cleaned and inspected before entry, the integrity of the roof cannot be completely assured. For some activities it would be impractical to remove all the refractory on the roof sections, which can weigh up to 20 tonnes, for example for a dip tube renewal.
In recent years, Hanson Cement has significantly reduced the risk of falling roof material by installing safety tubes and by altering the design of refractory lining and anchor systems. However, these improvements have not eliminated the risk altogether.
Therefore, as part of Hanson’s 2012 zero harm objectives, the Engineering Departments were set the challenge of making it impossible for material to fall from the cyclone roof. They came up with a netting system, which is installed at the start of the shutdown and retains the roof refractory. Working with a leading UK netting company the engineers’ ideas were turned into a working design which eliminates the risk of roof material falling onto people during cyclone maintenance.
See additional pdf for more information.
BENEFITS
• The risk of a serious or fatal injury from falling debris has been removed
• The system can be applied across the industry
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