Preliminary Control Technology Assessment of General Refractories Company, Hitchens, Kentucky

摘要

Health hazard control measures, work processes, and existing control technologies were evaluated at General Refractories Company (SIC-3255), Hitchens, Kentucky in September, 1982. The company employed up to 190 workers involved in the production of high duty fire clay bricks and shapes from locally mined soft and hard clays. Raw clays were roughly crushed, then fed automatically and manually into dry pans for fine crushing. Finely ground material was measured, mixed, and transported to single and double shaft mills for addition of water to produce a rigid mud. The blend was fed into brick machines and extruded for cutting into slugs. The slugs were pressed into final shapes with hydraulic and mechanical presses. The shapes were palletized, fired, ground, and sawed into finished products. A union management committee conducted monthly inspections and safety meetings, and an environmental and medical monitoring program was in existence. Protective equipment was provided for eyes, head, and hearing. Local exhaust ventilation was used at the grinding and diamond blade sawing operations. The author does not recommend an in depth study of the company since no unique state of the art control technologies are used.