In view of the growing use of waste-derived fuels in cement factories, the Cement and Environment Labor Foundation (Fundación CEMA) has designed an information and training campaign aimed at minimizing the occupational risks associated with the storage and handling of these fuels. The central element of the campaign has been the edition of the Guide Good practices for the safe handling of alternative fuels in cement factories, which was presented last November 15 at the facilities of Ciments Molins Industrial, in Sant Vicenç dels Horts. The event had an extensive participation of professionals and union representatives – more than 50 people -, among them the directors of all the Catalan cement plants.
“In the coming years we will see a very significant increase in the use of waste-derived fuels in the cement industry, which is why we decided to carry out this project, which pays special attention to biological risks” explained the manager of the CEMA Foundation, Dimas Vallina. The forecasts indicate that in the coming years the cement industry will double the use of this energy source, which makes it necessary to reinforce the preventive measures.
During the Conference the final project materials were presented, which include, in addition to the aforementioned guide, an informative quadriptych, five specific cards for each of the most commonly used alternative fuel types, and a training of trainers course, which has allowed develop cascade training at a sectoral level. All these materials are available on the CEMA Foundation website. The project has been funded by the State Foundation for the Prevention of Occupational Hazards F.S.P. (AS2017-0010), whose managing director Gregorio Tudela inaugurated the Day.
The seminar ended with a guided tour of the storage and dosing facilities for fuel derived from waste from the Ciment Molins factory.