Safety

“GOAL ZERO” is not just a slogan; it’s the foundation of our safety culture.

In 2018, RCS felt that it was extremely important to stay ahead of the curve and continue delivering the proper tools to allow our modern workforce to embrace our behavioral based safety culture.

This was achieved by investing in the RCS mobile safety application which empowers our workforce with a way to perform safety audits remotely and without the paperwork. With many hours of thought and mapping behind our design and user interaction, the mobile application uploads the data to a centralized dashboard, where our safety trends are tracked in real time.

Our app also contains a media section where documents and SOP’s can be stored and viewed, along with a two-way communication feature between the craft personnel and RCS Safety management. This tool has been instrumental in driving our safety culture forward.

Refractory and concrete is removed conventionally by means of pneumatic chipping guns or river busters, the surface is prepared through grit blasting; the materials are mixed; and then it is installed. Conventional demolition methods generate crystalline silica, which is now regulated under the latest OSHA standard: 29 CFR 1926.1153. This standard requires employers to limit worker exposure to respirable crystalline silica, and to take other steps to protect workers.

Although the conventional method was effective over the years, new technology emerged that enabled the surface to be prepped with hydrodemolition. Respirable dust can be efficiently controlled through the use of strategically placed HEPA vacuum systems and wet methods to address silica exposure.

The use of these advanced systems allows the contractor to address the needs of refractory for concrete removal, mixing, and preparation, and installations while maintaining the guidelines for the new standard. This approach and technique has been adopted and utilized in refining units, suchs as FCCUs, SRUs, coke pits, and concrete slab work.

These technologies are not limited to specific units or applications, due to RCS’s in-house capabilities of engineering different setups for unique applications.

Gunite Mixing & Shooting

During the installation process, there’s a possibility of silica exposure during the mixing phase. The mixing is traditionally done in an enclosure or mixing tent, and extensive PPE is required. RCS has taken the time to develop proprietary equipment and techniques to mitigate silica exposure for the site and our employees. With the use of the ventilation systems, RCS achieves results beneath detectable limits, thus reducing exposure and costs associated with silica monitoring.

Silica Mitigation Advancements & Benefits

Reduces Exposure to Employees on Site
Reduces PPE & Medical Surveillance Costs
Increased Efficiencies for Re-Installation
RCS Proprietary Equipment
Turn-Key Silica Management for Entire Projects
Ventilation Plan Engineering

Surface Preparation

In conjunction with 3M, RCS developed unique methods for refractory anchor demolition and surface preparation. Based on trials with 3M (FCC Cyclone Parts), RCS achieved results that save time and money. We also adopted wet and vapor blast techniques for enhanced rates and reduced silica exposure as well.

The conventional methods generate crystalline silica, which OSHA now requires employers to limit worker exposure. Hydrodemolition allows the contractor to address the needs of enhanced refractory or concrete removal while maintaining the guidelines.

Currently, RCS has partnered with acquired several pieces of equipment from AquaJet Technologies to handle these applications, and will continue to explore the technology in conjunction with market and client needs.

Aqua Centralizer 360

The Aqua Centralizer 360 can operate in horizontal, vertical, and inclined tunnels since it can be positioned with a hoist device. The power head and ring assembly indexes automatically align the spine rail to complete a whole tunnel section.

With a 25° adjustable lance angle and an adjustable stroke of oscillation, the head can be reversed to handle both inside pipes and outside pillars if used on the Circular Power Head. The power head is easy to attach to the ring curved rail and secured with one single bolt. The spine roller is attached to the spine rail in the same way.

Aqua Spine Type II

This system can be positioned directly on concrete by anchor bolts or supported by carriers, such as hydraulic platforms, cranes, and scaffoldings. It can be tailored, assembled, and modified for specific tasks. All power and control functions are provided by a standard Power Control Unit (PCU) or by any of our AQUA CUTTER robots.

The AQUA SPINE has two different rail systems: DUAL or TRIPLE. Both are interchangeable within the system. You can use DUAL in confined areas or when you have several accessible attachment points to fix the rail. The TRIPLE rail is used for a longer free span, up to six meters between the supports, horizontally, or free standing.

Hydrodemolition Benefits, Methods, & Applications

Reduces Silica Footprint
Enhanced Material Removal
Selective & Controlled Depth Removal
Scarifying & Surface Preparation
Rust & Paint Removal
Industrial Cleaning
Saves Time
Safer for Workers

Custom Design Applications

The system can also be re-engineered for specific applications, where the standard set-up will not work or if access is unique. RCS has in-house design capabilities to tailor, assemble, and modify the parts for application to your own specifications.