Furnaces

• Pages: 114-118

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6. Furnaces

Furnaces

6.1. General

6.1.1. The non-ferrous metals industries use a range of

furnaces including electric furnaces, arc furnaces, induction

furnaces, crucible furnaces, roasting ovens, simple blast fur-

naces or, more commonly, reverberatory-type furnaces.

6.1.2. Only authorized persons should be allowed near

furnaces.

6.1.3. There should be suitable and sufficient general

and local exhaust ventilation with dust- and fume-collecting

devices incorporated into the design of the exhaust ventila-

tion systems.

6.1.4. The effectiveness and adequacy of general and

local exhaust-ventilation systems to remove fumes and

gases from the furnace area should be tested regularly. Col-

lection bags for dusts should be replaced when indicated.

6.1.5. Ultraviolet (UV) and/or infrared light-resistant

goggles or face shields should be provided where there is a

requirement for the authorized visual inspection of furnaces.

6.1.6. Continuous detectors should be installed to pro-

vide early warning of raised levels of dangerous gases.

6.1.7. Positive pressure self-contained breathing appar-

atus should be available to enable rapid rescue in the event

of a build-up of dangerous gases. The breathing apparatus

should be checked and maintained regularly, and should

only be used by people who have been trained to do so.

6.1.8. People working in and around the furnace area

should be provided with suitable personal protective

equipment (PPE) to protect them against molten metal

burns, noise, and physical and chemical hazards (see also