In blast furnace work, industrial poisoning occurs mainly from escaping gases rich in carbonic oxide. They may also contain sulphur dioxide and cyanogen compounds. The high proportion of carbonic oxide, however, makes these gases valuable and serviceable, because of their great heating value. They are, therefore, now led away and utilised, the furnace being closed by a cupola bell only opened by means of a mechanical contrivance when charging is necessary; while this is being done the ignited blast furnace gases pour out, and the workers retire from the opening, so that danger to them is avoided. The construction of a blast furnace with a cupola bell can be seen in [fig. 29]. The blast furnace gases are conducted away by an opening in the side, and pass along special pipes to be utilised, after having gone through a purifying process mainly for the removal of flue dust, &c. The gases serve partly for the heating of the blast for the furnace itself, and partly for driving the gas engines which serve the electrical power apparatus, electric lighting, &c., in the works. Through the rational utilisation of the blast furnace gases, the workers are protected from their injurious action during the working of the furnace. Serious gas poisoning, however, occurs not infrequently to workers who have to enter the gas mains for cleaning purposes. Workers, therefore, should only be permitted to enter the flues, &c., a considerable time after the process has been stopped and after as complete and thorough a ventilation of the system as is possible.
Any portion of the gas system which is to undergo cleaning must be completely isolated. Ventilation is best effected by the introduction of compressed air. Thus a foundry (in the Duisburg district) has provided all its cellars and passages, through which gas pipes pass, and which must be entered during repairs, with compressed air pipes. It is, however, advisable that gas conduits should only be entered by workers equipped with breathing apparatus and oxygen supply. Naturally adequate instruction of workers and training in first aid are necessary, as well as a sufficient supply of oxygen in constant readiness.
Injurious gases can escape from the furnace during tapping and slag running; poisonous gases with a disagreeable odour, from presence of sulphuretted hydrogen, also arise in granulating the slag, that is, when the fluid slag is led into water for subsequent use in preparation of cement. These gases should be collected by hoods, and be carried away as far as possible.
In the manufacture of steel by the Bessemer or Thomas-Gilchrist process, the dark smoke arising out of the converter during the blowing operation should be drawn off (led into flues), as it is injurious to health. In the Martin furnaces poisoning may occur, especially when the gas flues are entered after cessation of work. In letting out the gas in order to stop the furnaces, the gas and air valves must first be closed and the outlet valves for gas be opened only after the pipes have been filled with steam. Steam is to be driven through until the pipes are quite free from gas, and the system only entered after it has become thoroughly cooled. If need arises for entering portions of the system while neighbouring parts are still filled with gas, the workers employed require to be provided with breathing apparatus and smoke helmets.
In the transport of ferro-silicon several cases of poisoning have occurred. Cautionary regulations, therefore, relating to this work have been found necessary.
Such directions are contained in the police regulations of the Prussian Minister of Trade and Industry respecting the transport on the Rhine of corrosive and poisonous substances (dated September 29, 1910).
It is prescribed: (1) that ferro-silicon be packed in strong watertight cases of wood or metal; (2) that on the cases be inscribed, legibly and indelibly, the notice ‘Ferro-silicon. To be kept dry! With care!’ (3) that the substance be delivered dry and in dry cases; (4) that the cases be stored in airy places on the deck of the ship in such a manner that they are protected from wet.
Further, care is to be taken that the storage on ships is done in such a way that possible damage to the material in which it is packed entails no risk. The harbour authorities where loading or landing takes place can deal with special cases as they think fit.
International regulation as to transport of ferro-silicon in the spirit of the above regulations would be most desirable in view of the oversea trade in this substance.[K]