GMIC Safety in Glass Plants

Glenn Aspholm

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) For Electric Furnace Operation

Glenn S. AspholmJohns-Manville CorpLittleton, ColoradoOctober 24, 2005

GMIC Safety in Glass Plants

Glenn Aspholm

JM Melting Operations

• Gas-Oxy • Gas-Oxy w/ Electric Boost• SORG Technology • Modified Pochet-Style All-Electric Melters• All-Electric Forehearths

GMIC Safety in Glass Plants

Glenn Aspholm

Additional Risks For Pochet Melters

• Open Glass Streams• Operator Close to Melter – Open Glass Surface• Required to Probe Glass

– Melter Level Measurement

• Ladle-Check Glass Flow Measurements• Equipment Change and Maintenance

GMIC Safety in Glass Plants

Glenn Aspholm

Additional Risks For Electric Forehearths

• Infrequent Glass Level Measurement– Level-Gauge Calibration– Level-Gauge Failure – Upset Condition / Verification

• Thermocouple Change• Low – Maintenance, Trouble-Free Operation

– Forget the Risks !!!

GMIC Safety in Glass Plants

Glenn Aspholm

In-Scope

• General Operator Duties• Glass Level Measurement (Melter)• Glass Level Measurement (Forehearth)• Glass Pull Rate Measurement (Ladle Checks)• Thermocouple Change - Forehearth

GMIC Safety in Glass Plants

Glenn Aspholm

Out-Of-Scope

• Electrical / Mechanical Maintenance• High-Voltage / Low-Voltage Electrical Work• Emergency Conditions

• If in doubt, Lock it Out !!!!

• Not a replacement for proper Lock-out/Tag-out Procedures

GMIC Safety in Glass Plants

Glenn Aspholm

Melter Level Measurement

GMIC Safety in Glass Plants

Glenn Aspholm

Open Glass Stream

GMIC Safety in Glass Plants

Glenn Aspholm

Electric Forehearth

GMIC Safety in Glass Plants

Glenn Aspholm

Risks Around Electric Melters/Forehearths

• Thermal (Burn)• Abrasion (Cut / Scrape)• Contact with Molten Glass• Low Voltage Electrical• High Voltage Electrical

GMIC Safety in Glass Plants

Glenn Aspholm

Melter and Forehearth Electrical Potential

• Melter - < 100 V AC• Forehearth - 50 – 100 V AC

GMIC Safety in Glass Plants

Glenn Aspholm

Burn / Abrasion PPE

• Bump Caps / Hard Hats• Proper Clothing• Leather Gloves• High – Temperature Clothing and Gloves• Head Protection and Faceshield

GMIC Safety in Glass Plants

Glenn Aspholm

Low Voltage Electrical Shock Risks

• Electrical Shock – Injury / Death• Secondary Injury – Reaction from Electric Shock

– Fall– Burn– Head Injury– Laceration/Abrasion/Fracture

GMIC Safety in Glass Plants

Glenn Aspholm

New Requirement - Use of Linesman’s Gloves and Protectors for Normal Operator Functions

GMIC Safety in Glass Plants

Glenn Aspholm

Available Linesman’s Gloves

Class Proof Test (V) AC Max use Volts

00 2500 500

1 5000 1000

2 10000 7500

3 20000 17000

4 30000 26500

5 40000 36000

GMIC Safety in Glass Plants

Glenn Aspholm

Lineman’s Glove Info

• Di-Electric Rubber Construction• Seamless• ASTM D120 Specification• Must be tested and certified every 6 months

GMIC Safety in Glass Plants

Glenn Aspholm

Current Specified Equipment

• 00 Linesman’s Gloves• Leather Protectors• Order proper sizes – Probably oversized

• Cost - Approx $75/set (Glove + Protectors)• 6-Month Certification Required

– Pay Certification cost– Replace after 6 months

• Source of Information - McMaster-Carr Catalog

GMIC Safety in Glass Plants

Glenn Aspholm

Questions ???