Warning issued about hazards of tipping molten slag
Comcare has recently received a confirmed report of a slag-pot dislodging from a carrier while tipping 38 tonnes of molten slag; and as a result, has issued a Safety Alert, warning operators of the dangers.
In the reported incident, a pot-lock safety system on the slag-pot carrier did not operate according to the manufacturer’s specifications, which allowed the pot to tip without the carrier locking mechanism being engaged. The pot-lock safety system did not operate because an interlock valve remained open.
The hazards and risks that were identified in the Alert included:
- An uncontrolled release of molten slag that could result in individuals coming into contact with molten slag; and
- Extreme heat from the molten slag.
The Alert stated that the following actions needed to be taken by slag-pot carrier operators:
- Identify any slag-pot carriers under their control;
- Contact the manufacturer of the slag-pot carrier to ensure all modifications and improvements are in place to prevent dislodgement; and
- Take all reasonably practical steps to control the risk to employees, contractors and third parties from a slag-pot being dislodged from a carrier.
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