How one refractory contractor created safer processes 10 Years later.

Dave Drorbaugh II always looks for ways to improve processes. Early in his career, he worked as a lead project manager at a metal processing facility where he helped with tactical and strategic process oversight, production forecasting and project support. During that time, the facility did a major shutdown to rebrick one of their metal processing furnaces. The work required access to a 40-foot-tall, 22-foot diameter vertical shaft. Time was tight, which meant he didn’t have the luxury of exploring alternative work platforms. In the end, the team decided to go with conventional scaffolding built off of a hanging static platform. The scaffolding system got the job done, but Drorbaugh and his team were aware there were more efficient options available.

A decade later in 2023, with furnace overhaul again scheduled, Drorbaugh, now a business unit manager at RECON Engineering & Construction, had the opportunity participate in a full shutdown with the same smelter. The timeline of this project allowed the RECON team to improve upon previous efforts by commissioning a custom solution to increase access and safety for the refractory reinstallation project...