| Safe exit from asphalt rotary drier |
The average asphalt rotary drier is 10 metres long and 2.25 metres in diameter. They incorporate approximately 120 lifters, each one being a potential snagging point.
As most entries in to the drier happen at the feed end, confined space rescue equipment is set up by way of a CSR pulley system and safety line.
Once personnel are in the drier it is neither practical nor safe to stay connected to the safety line whilst working.
Staff at Melbur Asphalt Plant devised a system to retrieve a casualty in an emergency. A 6mm wire rope complete with eyelets and shackles is secured to the front and rear bulkheads of the drier framework. This is mounted in the drier and tension is achieved by a 250kg handy hoist pull lift. A second, similar handy hoist is then attached to the tightrope by the suspension hook, in readiness for any emergency.
In the event of an emergency the suspended pull lift is attached to the casualty’s harness, who is then lifted off the drier floor and slid along the tightrope to the rescue point for retrieval. |