RESPONSIBILITY IN ACTION
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Hot dip galvanizing has been around for over 150 years. The principles
have remained unchanged although a vast amount of research on all
aspects of the process has enabled galvanizing today to be a
technically advanced and safe industry. In 1998, in excess of 750,000
tonnes of steel was protected in more than eighty hot dip galvanizing
plants in the UK and Ireland alone. Around five million tonnes of steel
is similarly protected by the industry throughout Europe.
In 1949, Galvanizers Association (GA), a non-trading body consisting of
leading general galvanizers was formed to encourage the highest
possible standards of technical efficiency in the industry and to
promote the use of galvanized steel.
The Association is an authoritative source of information on all
aspects of galvanizing. It produces publications; many of them free and
has staff available to discuss relevant problems and answer technical
enquiries from specifiers, users and its member companies.
GUIDANCE FOR INDUSTRY
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GA maintains a high level of awareness of technical and environmental
developments relevant to the industry and ensures these are
communicated effectively. This has long been a key element of
Association activity and will continue into the 21st Century.
In June 1999, GA's Technical Committee published "General Galvanizing
Practice". The practice and techniques described in this comprehensive
guidance manual are based on experience and research and are intended
as a guide to managers and supervisors in the general galvanizing
industry. The manual contains most of the essential technical
information required for the efficient, safe and environmentally-sound
day-to-day operation of a galvanizing plant.
GA also issues its "Health & Safety" Manual which contains guidance
on compliance with relevant health and safety legislative requirements.
It also includes specific guidance on key issues such as protective
equipment, clothing, jigging and manual lifting techniques.
PROCESS IMPROVEMENTS
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A significant process improvement affecting environment, health and
safety, is the requirements of the Environmental Protection Act for
galvanizing baths to capture 95% of their particulate emissions.
Enclosure of galvanizing baths has resulted in further improvements in
the working environment and added protection from molten metal
splashing.
Through its European organisation, European General Galvanizers
Association, Galvanizers Association has been actively involved in
development of the Best Practice Reference Note (BREF) for hot dip
galvanizing that is being developed by the EU Integrated Pollution
Prevention and Control (IPPC) Bureau for the purposes of implementing
the recent EU IPPC Directive.
GA's Technical Committee meets quarterly to review technical,
scientific and regulatory developments to ensure that member companies
are up-to-date and using the most environmentally sound practices.
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INDUSTRY INITIATIVES - HEALTH AND SAFETY
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In 1994, GA established an Accident Statistics Scheme, in which its
member companies submit a quarterly report on accidents. The
amalgamated results are returned for benchmarking.' They also serve as
a measurement of effectiveness of safety awareness schemes and help
target initiatives. Details of severe or unusual accidents are
circulated within the industry to help prevent a recurrence.
SAFER HOT DIP GALVANIZING
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Recently a task force comprising representatives from Galvanizers
Association and its member companies, the Health & Safety Executive
and RoSPA - one of the world's leading health and safety organisations
- embarked on a major initiative targeted principally at reducing
physical accidents.
Taking full advantage of RoSPA's experience and expertise in the fields
of occupational health and safety training and video production, the
initiative resulted in the production of a unique video based training
pack which are being used in courses for managers and supervisors run
jointly by RoSPA and GA. Individual trainees will be able to go on to
deliver similar training at shop floor level.
GALVACTION21 - FOCUS ON CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT
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Hot dip galvanizing is an increasingly responsible industry. Employers
understand that improved and safer practices not only benefit employees
by reducing the incidences of accidents but also contribute
substantially to the economics of galvanizing.
A clean orderly and safe factory reduces absenteeism and improves the rate of production.
It is also more likely to attract and retain quality staff essential to the ongoing progress of the industry.
All of GA's work in the area of environment and worker safety and
health are brought together under the umbrella initiative, GalvAction
21. This proactive programme of enhanced environmental, health and
safety management also aims to create a wider awareness of the benefits
of this established technology - ensuring it continues to play a
significant role in the manufacturing industries and construction
industries of the 21st Century.
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