Health & Safety
At Westwin Elements, the health and safety of our workforce and community is paramount. We apply rigorous safety standards and protocols to responsibly manage the hazards associated with nickel refining, meeting and often exceeding industry requirements for occupational health.
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Health & Safety
Carbonyl processing, while longstanding, carries significant hazards that require stringent control measures. Drawing from extensive knowledge of nickel and cobalt's effects on health and the environment, we have developed multiple layers of protection to minimize risks.
Containment & Control
Our top priority is the containment of all processed substances, particularly nickel carbonyl and carbon monoxide, which are toxic if released. The Demonstration Plant is designed to reduce leak points through careful material selection for pipes, vessels, and joints, alongside safety-driven electrical and instrumentation design. Redundant alarms and automatic shutdowns are managed through our Distributed Control System (DCS), ensuring rapid response to any irregularities.
Emergency Preparedness
In the rare event of a release, our teams are prepared with spill recovery protocols and emergency response strategies. Respiratory protection equipment is readily available across the plant, including self-contained breathing apparatus for high-risk tasks and piped breathing air in areas with a greater risk of toxic exposure. We also implement an occupational monitoring program, conducting urinary nickel checks routinely and after specific tasks to ensure personnel safety.
Exposure Mitigation Measures
To further mitigate exposure risks to nickel carbonyl or carbon monoxide, we employ multiple layers of protection:
Reduced Leak Points
Minimizing the number of potential release points.
Containment
Water bunds under critical vessels to capture any released nickel carbonyl, which stays submerged in water.
Air Quality Management
Negative pressure systems and 8 air changes per hour to dilute contaminants.
Detection Systems
Fixed air monitors for nickel carbonyl and personal carbon monoxide monitors for all personnel.
Respiratory Protection
Comprehensive respiratory equipment to shield against toxic gases.
Minor Leak Protocols
Minor leaks are contained and vented outside the process area, allowing controlled shutdowns for repair.
Exposure Monitoring & Treatment
Personnel exposure is regularly monitored. In higher exposure cases, Antabuse is administered to accelerate nickel excretion, in line with industry standards.