Two Buzzi Unicem USA Inc. facilities receive the 2020 PCA Safety Innovation Award
The PCA Safety Innovation Awards recognize creative safety enhancing projects in the cement industry. The winners are determined by a panel of judges that evaluate projects from across the country in five categories: distribution, pyroprocessing, general facility, quarry and mine, and milling and grinding.
Two Buzzi Unicem USA Inc. facilities were recipients of the 2020 PCA Safety Innovation Award.
Barge Entry Ladder: Buzzi Unicem's Joliet cement terminal reduced fall hazards associated with unloading cement from barges by designing an adjustable wall-mounted barge entry ladder. Prior to this innovation, workers entering cement barges to diagnose or fix issues had to climb over the barge wall using a standard extension ladder, which created an unnecessary fall potential. The barge entry ladder mounts to the side of the barge wall, can be adjusted to the height and thickness of the wall, and is easy to hook up, move, and mount with a crane. The new ladder gives operators a much safer and sturdier way to get into the barge when necessary.
Finish Mill Access Platform: Buzzi Unicem USA’s Chattanooga plant reduced fall hazards from accessing the finish mill by designing, fabricating, and installing a platform above the mill. Prior to this innovation, workers had to don a safety harness and walk across the top of the mill while being tethered to a cable that extended the length of the mill, creating a fall risk, particularly when carrying parts or tools across the mill. The platform provided a strong engineering control that reduces the fall hazards associated with mill maintenance and made it easier to move parts and tools and conduct maintenance activities.