Concrete is an essential material in modern life. If we analyze the natural environment around us, we are constantly surrounded by it! Cement, the main raw material for concrete, is currently the second most consumed material in the world, second only coming after water itself. Do you know how cement is produced and what the risks are that this process brings to a given worker? Let us have a better look as to understand more about cement companies.

Cement is a fine powder produced by mixing clinker with other different substances, such as gypsum or silica slag, in quantities that may depend on the type of application and the characteristics sought for that given product. There are two ways to make this clinker: by a wet or a dry means.

Clinker is obtained from crushed limestone and is mixed with other raw materials until it makes up a homogeneous mixture. In dry units, this fine powder is directly taken to the rotary kiln at a temperature of up to 1450 °C, which turns out to transform it in a clinker.

The Brazilian cement industry has great international prominence since it is one of the best positioned ones with regard to low carbon emission, once in average, all the cement produced in the country is made in a dry format, with less energy expenditure as well as pollution to the environment.

In the units that use the humid way, in order to seek greater efficiency in the process, the clinker production systems are provided with a preheater as to allow a complete evaporation of the water and the beginning of the calcination of the flour before entering the rotary kiln. The most common pre-heaters consist mainly of a tower of cyclones mounted in a cascade, vertically, with the flour descending from the top in the form of suspended powder, in countercurrent with the flue gases from the oven. When these gases and the raw material condense together inside the furnace, an accumulation of encrusted alkali may arise that may clogs the industrial cyclones, which may force a stop in production for maintenance of the industrial tower.

As we are talking about preheaters and furnaces, the workers who carry out their maintenance are constantly exposed to different kinds of thermal risks. So now, let us check out the most appropriate PPE for this kind of situation. For drying and grinding activities we have Texíon® L lined (Shirt: 431 TL Pants: 431 TL Hood: 10025 TL), which offers protection against splashes of molten metals with excellent thermal comfort and breathability.

For drying and grinding activities we have Texíon® L lined (Shirt: 431 TL Pants: 431 TL Hood: 10025 TL), which offers protection against splashes of molten metals with excellent thermal comfort and breathability.

For maintenance and furnace we have Texíon® G with FR cotton lining (Jacket: 400 TG Pants: 420 TG Hood: 10036 TG) that offers protection against flames, convective heat, iron splatters, welding and similar processes.

Another option is Texíon® G with a wool and canvas lining, which provides great comfort in contact with the skin.

Still for maintenance and furnace we have the air jumpsuit (Jumpsuit: 10079 TGAM Hood: 10036 TG). Sent air is a JGB system installed on the EPI web, which, connected to a breathable filter, distributes air to the entire body of the user, providing thermal comfort and allowing the user to stay longer while performing the activity.

For hand protection, with excellent protection from the contact with heat, due to its slower caloric transposition, we have the following gloves:

2013 KE

Made in Kouríon® Extra – selected type of leather treated for high temperatures; Inner layer: Wool and Suedine.

2003 K

Made of Kouríon® – selected leather type treated for high temperatures, with an internal layer of Wool and FR Cotton.

2003 ARA

Made in Kouríon® – selected leather type treated for high temperatures, with an internal layer made of FR canvas.