Collaborating in Demanding Steelwork Projects
In the spring of 2010, Betamet took part in the renovation of blast furnace 1, and in the summer of 2011, of blast furnace 2. Industrial safety was emphasized under demanding circumstances, and the strict schedule required good preliminary planning and absolute punctuality.
The renovation work on the blast furnaces in the years 2010 and 2011 was completed in 53 days. The work progressed uninterrupted throughout the day. The project plan contained about 3,000 stages during both years, and a critical path within which every stage had to be carried out. There were builders, mounters of fireproof materials, metal men, and electricians and automation mechanics on the site.
The Great Challenges of a Large Site
About half a year before the work started, Betamet prepared its own schedule and working plan. The company has been praised by the representatives of the works on its strong preliminary planning skills. In turn, Betamet’s work was facilitated by the fact that its engineering work was based on the clear illustrations provided by Rautaruukki.
Jarmo Naula, the project manager of the Raahe factory, who was responsible for the renovation of the blast furnaces, describes the challenge of the projects:
– Betamet had to consider, as other actors, all those approximately 700 other workers working on the project who represented about 30 actors. On the site, it had to be ensured that everyone had the opportunity to do their own work. In addition to the day-specific schedule, planning in detail had to involve an hourly schedule.
The quality requirement of the work is well illustrated by the fact that blast furnace 1 was previously renovated in 1995, and blast furnace
Previous Experience and Knowlegde of the Factory were Helpful
Over the course of the years, Betamet has worked in the Raahe factory, for example, on the basis of the contract of service, and is familiar with the factory and the working conditions. During the renovations, the company took care of the bunkerhouse of blast furnace 2, the skip winch of blast furnace 1, the direct granulation and the dust extraction system of its slag straight, as well as the engineering work and the equipment installation in the renovation of both blast furnaces and charging pits.
In total, Betamet installed 500 tons of steel as different constructions and equipment. The contract also included the big body pipe contract of the granulation plant as well as the pipework of the gas purifying plants. During both years, at a maximum, there were more than a hundred people from Betamet working in the Raahe factory. Betamet was the greatest supplier in the modernization of the direct granulation plant.
– The renovation project of the direct granulation plant was, at the same time, the reduction project of emissions. Environmental investments were also made in the gas purifying plants during renovations. Betamet’s work groups succeeded well in a technical manner and with regard to industrial safety matters, says Seppo Marttio, the project manager responsible for the renovation of the direct granulation plant.
Industrial Safety Is Important
With regard to industrial safety, the blast furnace is challenging. It is a demanding job to work on a 60-meter tall site, with 10 different tiers and many actors.
– When the work was started in the spring of 2010, Betamet workers had two minor accidents on the blast furnace. As Rautaruukki has strict safety requirements, we immediately got involved in the situation together with Betamet. With the aid of training and supervision, we quickly succeeded in bringing the situation under control. Furthermore, Betamet named its own person for industrial safety matters on the site, says Antti Hautala from the Raahe factory, who worked as an expert on industrial safety matters.
The fact that the renovation took place in an area where part of the plants were functioning normally presented a challenge of its own for industrial safety matters. Betamet worked in areas of the blast furnace which were the most dangerous, and which required special caution. One time, Betamet’s site had to be emptied because of a gas danger caused by the factory process.
– All in all, we can state that Betamet’s work planning and work performances were good. It is nice to work with these kinds of people, praise Väinö Putaansuu and Timo Aittakumpu, who worked as district supervisors, on behalf of the Raahe factory.
More Information
For more information please contact Matti Pohjalainen, the site manager, telephone; +358 400 589 032.
Betamet’s work included very demanding lifts. The lifting of the 47 ton upper part of the gas purifying plant cleaner, which required three cranes, is currently in process. Photo: Timo Aittakumpu, Ruukki Metals.