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Shutdown threat on hard coke units
SHASHANK SHEKHAR
Dhanbad, June 13: After a free-run allowed for decades, hard coke units in the coalfields have finally been ordered to shut shop, if they fail to take pollution-control measures. Jharkhand Pollution Control Board (JPCB) claims to have ordered the closure of 16 units and served showcause notices to more than three dozen units, which have disregarded the directives of the board. Eleven sawmills, too, have been served notices, said JPCB sources.
The board’s recent burst of activity comes in the wake of orders delivered by the Supreme Court and the Jharkhand high court calling for the closure of polluting units. The belated closure notices also followed the declaration of the Union ministry of environment and forests which branded Dhanbad and Jharia as among the most polluted cities of India.
According to industry sources, however, the closure notices have been served only on those units which have failed to obtain NOC (No Objection Certificates) from the board. There are a large number of units which have obtained the certificates, these sources confessed, but still continued with their unrestricted polluting activities.
JPCB sources, however, claimed that an expert team inspected the units last month and advised them to comply with pollution-control norms or shut shop.
The coal-belt is said to have 184 hard coke units and refractories. They were set a deadline of May 31 to instal water and air treatment plants. But less than 50 units are said to have complied, while more than 121 units have not even bothered to acknowledge receipt of the notice though 23 units have sought more time to put up anti-pollution equipment.
Silicosis, said senior engineer S.K. Singh of the pollution control board, is the commonest occupational disease in the coal-belt and damages the liver, kidney, heart and lungs. Coal, iron and glass industries besides sawmills enhance the risk of exposure and hence all these industrial activities need to take pollution-control measures.
Forest department, meanwhile, has confirmed that 16 sawmills too have been asked to shut down.
'Code of Practice' compliance taken a step closer by blasting suppliers at SteelFab 2006
SteelFab, the Middle East's largest display of steel working machinery, to be held at Expo Centre Sharjah next month, will showcase a wide range of blasting equipment that are fully compliant with the Dubai Municipality Code of Practice on Abrasive Blasting.
United Arab Emirates: Wednesday, January 04 - 2006 - The event will showcase a wide range of abrasive blasting products compliant with Dubai's environment protection regulations.
SteelFab 2006 will definitely benefit Dubai-based steel working companies that are engaged in abrasive blasting and are striving to be compliant with this code of practice
The Dubai Municipality had in 1991 prepared and adopted the Code under Local Order 61 of 1991 to control air quality and occupational health issues associated with abrasive blasting. The Code was amended in March 1996.
Besides controlling air quality, the Code seeks to reduce the problem of disposal from abrasive blasting media, which is a significant component of Dubai's solid waste stream. All companies and individuals conducting abrasive blasting operations are required to comply with the Code of Practice.
Among the areas that are covered by the Code of Practice are controls on use of abrasives, safety of workers, water disposal, and necessary documentation.
The prime hazard in abrasive blasting is dust, in particular silica dust. Prolonged inhalation of crystalline silica dust can lead to silicosis.
"The regional blasting industry is moving away from the more hazardous sand blasting methods to abrasive grit blasting and using sophisticated methods and technology to decrease risk to both the employee as well as the environment,"
said Mr. Nick Smith, Managing Director, Airblast Middle East, a regional leader in blasting equipment and a participant at SteelFab 2006.
"Airblast has developed and launched a very advanced range of blasting equipment keeping in mind the environmental legislation as well as with the aim of offering our customers the opportunity to embrace new technology and enjoy the benefits afforded in terms of higher quality, higher productivity as well as lower costs," said Mr. Smith.
Airblast will feature its entire range of products including blasting, painting, protection and measurement products at SteelFab 2006.
"We see SteelFab as an excellent platform for the steel-working industry in the Middle East and it is precisely because of this reason that we have participated in this event right from the first edition," said Mr. Smith.
Besides a comprehensive range of products from Airblast, Shot blasting equipment and dust collection equipment from India will also be available at the SteelFab exhibition.
Patel Furnace & Forging, an exhibitor from India, will be showcasing a wide array of related products for the Middle East abrasive blasting industry.
"We are already supplying orders to the Middle East, and our machines are a good buy keeping the Government guidelines in mind," said Mr. Nipun Patel, Director of Patel Furnace & Forging.
"Our dust collection machines have a reliable cloth filtration with high dust collection efficiency of upto 98%. Visitors to SteelFab will be able to learn about our Shot Blasting & Air Pollution Control machinery first hand,' he added.
Also to be displayed at the show will be abrasive blasting equipment from Germany's ROSLER GMBH.
"Rosler GMBH is regarded as the world's market leader in the production of surface finishing and shot blasting systems as well as process technologies for the optimum surface finishing of metal parts and other components," said Mr. Hans-Rolf Wiemann, Managing Director of Kahrl + Wiemann, the regional representatives of Rosler GMBH.
'It is for the first time that Rosler is participating in SteelFab and visitors can gain information on the latest offerings of Rosler given that its complete range of machines covering the key sectors in surface treatment technology, grinding, finishing and shot-blasting, will be on display at SteelFab.
Given the strict environmental laws prevalent in Europe, Rosler machines are completely within the guidelines set by the Dubai Municipality Code of Practice and we look forward to providing the most economical, environment friendly and technically effective solutions for our Middle East customers," he said.
SteelFab 2006, to be held from January 22-24, 2006, will feature more than 150 reputed brands from across the global steel working industry. It will showcase the complete range of Steel, Fasteners, Accessories, Surface Preparation, Machinery and Tools, Welding and Cutting, Finishing and Testing equipment, and Coatings and Anti-Corrosion material.
The event is being organised by Expo Centre Sharjah with the support of Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI).
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