Avoiding Burns from Hot Feed Materials
The BCA published Guidance to Prevent Hot Meal Burns, which
focuses on the hazards and associated risks posed by hot meal, the
mixture of raw feed materials used in cement manufacture. It
applies to people working in the dry process pre-heater towers and
the areas under or around grate or cross bar cooling systems.
The guide advises how procedures should be modified where there
is potential for personal injury. It also makes recommendations to
establish better control over hot meal and reduce the risk of hot
meal incidents.
Hazards and Risks
Hazards are caused by blockages and accidental releases of hot
cement meal at temperatures that may be up to 900C or more. The hot
meal can flow like a liquid and consequently escape through any
unsealed parts of the clinker manufacturing environment. Risks
occur when employees are exposed to hot meal, typically during
unblocking, maintenance and cleaning activities.
The guidance further covers:
- Normal cleaning and system maintenance
- Major blockages
- Training
- Completion of pre-heater tower work
- Personal protective equipment
- Effects and treatment of burns
- Heat stress
- Legal context
A copy can be downloaded from the publications section of the BCA website.