It is impossible to imagine Zaporizhstal without Blast Furnace Shop and its professional team, which skillfully conquers huge furnaces. It was here that 91 years ago its history began – near the hearth of Blast Furnace #1.
Since then, work has been in full swing here literally around the clock. Hot metal melts are being produced, the quality of the product and the uninterrupted operation of the furnaces are controlled, the temperature inside of which can reach two thousand degrees.
"It is from the birth of the first hot metal that the chronicle of the enterprise begins – the traditions of leadership, dedication, and mutual support are born. We cherish these traditions today, in especially difficult times for the industry, the whole of Ukraine. We are blast furnace workers, we know what stability and endurance are," says the head of the shop Serhii SAFONOV.
One of the first to meet hot metal in the cast house is the blast-furnace man Vitaliy MINKO. Today he is on the second blast furnace. However, over the years of work at the enterprise, he managed to work on each of them.
"All blast furnaces are different; each has its own character. However, over the years and with experience, you are already guided almost by sounds at what stage the melt is at. You need to know a lot in our work, including the theory of the blast furnace process, the chemical and physical properties of hot metal and slag, and the equipment and mechanisms of the blast furnace. You also need to collaborate with colleagues in the workshop, as the blast furnace process involves not just blast furnace operators, but also gas workers, pipe fitters, crane operators, and process engineers," says Vitaliy. "We have a very good team. I have been convinced of this more than once during the war, when we overcame all the difficulties together. I am proud to be part of this great team."
Together with him, the blast furnace man Maksym OSTRYKH works. The man has been working in the blast furnace shop for about 20 years. He says that now more than ever he feels responsible for his work.
"As long as Zaporizhstal works, our hometown also lives. While we are smelting high-quality hot metal, the company is able to support the state and help our defenders. Therefore, we give our best and fight together for the much-desired Victory," says the Zaporizhstal worker.
In general, the work of the Blast Furnace Shop involves people from over 40 professions, including blast furnace operators, pipe fitters, gas workers, electricians, mechanical workers, and other industrial roles. Among them are teams led by Senior Shift Foreman Serhii GRYBOVODOV, Foreman of the Pulverized Coal Section Oleh LUCHKO, Foreman-Mechanical Engineer Oleksii NAZARENKO, as well as Blast Furnace Pipe Fitting Engineer Yan SHEVCHENKO, Casting Machine Operator Yaroslav MIRONENKO and Mill Operator Denys SOKOL.
"All the achievements of the workshop are the merit of people, true experts in their field. These are people who go on shift every day. These are our defenders who are now defending Ukraine so that here, in the rear, we can work and support Ukraine. Great honor to those who died on the battlefield. I am grateful to the staff of our department for their fruitful work and dedication to their work. I am sure that after our Victory, we will supplement the history of the unit with even greater achievements," added Serhii SAFONOV.
