With more than 26 fatalities per 100,000 workers, steelmaking is one of the top 10 most dangerous jobs. This statistic has been rising steadily. Hazardous materials can result in acute toxicity or long-term illnesses and are a threat to worker health in the steel and metal industry.

 

Exposure to numerous toxic gases while making steel and other metals is a primary health concern. In addition to explosive gases such as methane, the release of gases such as carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide mean that indoor air must be continuously monitored using gas measuring devices in order to comply with the current occupational exposure guidelines. Furthermore, a concurrent hydrogen event could contaminate the carbon dioxide sensor in the gas measuring equipment and lead to a false alarm. A legitimate emergency alarm won't be taken seriously if employees learn to ignore the alarm signal; this could lead to a costly production stoppage or even fatalities. Furthermore, a production halt resulting from an accident that necessitates an investigation can result in monetary losses and sizable fines in the fiercely competitive steelmaking sector.