US: The Portland Cement Association (PCA) has announced the winners of the 2020 Safety Innovation Awards. The awards recognise ‘creative safety-enhancing projects in the cement industry’ across five categories.
Buzzi Unicem USA’s Joliet, Illinois cement terminal won the distribution award for its barge entry ladder, which reduced fall hazards associated with unloading cement from barges. Ash Grove Cement’s Durkee, Oregon cement plant won the general facility award for its burner pipes cart upgrade, which reduced safety hazards associated with moving cement kiln burner pipes. Further hazard reductions were made by Buzzi Unicem USA’s Chattanooga, Tennessee cement plant’s finish mill access platform and the Monarch Cement Company’s Humboldt, Kansas cement plant’s noise reduction upgrade, which jointly won the milling/grinding award. The pyroprocessing award went to GCC of America’s Pueblo, Colorado plant for its semi-automated clinker feeding system, while the quarry award went to Ash Grove Cement’s Louisville, Nebraska plant for its dump box hardened material extraction tool.
PCA president and chief executive officer (CEO) Michael Ireland said, “Our industry prioritises the safety of its employees above all else. We are proud of our members’ efforts to pursue excellence in safety innovation for their company and their colleagues.”
