Industrial health & safety in a Malaysian steel mill

Abstract

Outline of the steelmaking process, and associated health hazards. The production of steel from its raw materials, coal and iron ore, is a process involving 3 basic steps: first, coal is converted to coke (more or less pure carbon) by baking in an oven. The coke is then combined with iron ore and limestone in a blast furnace to produce pig iron. Finally the pig iron is further purified to steel in an open hearth, basic oxygen, or electric furnace. Each of these main steps is associated with various health hazards.