New job

[benheise]

I am thinking about starting a position at a gold refining company. They refine mainly scrap gold from circuit boards, medical equipment, jewerly. The position would be working in a office and the processing plant is close by in the same building. They use acid and cyanide to process. is there any chance by being in the same that building I would be exposed to fumes, gases thru air system (ac/heat) or any other way/ what could be potential hazards..I will not be in plant , mainly office

 

[goldsilverpro]

In general, most refineries today are quite safe, no matter whether you're in the plant or the office. There are a few exceptions, however, but these are usually clandestine cash operations in the sticks that hide from EPA, OSHA, IRS, local fire dept inspections, etc. Usually, the larger and more visible the refinery is, the safer it will be. In today's world, they are forced by gov agencies to spend the money be safe - either that or go out of business. I've worked, in the plant, usually, of about 20, or more, big and small, refineries over the past 45 years, and I really don't think this has affected my health in any way. In fact, I have this crazy idea that smelling a small amount of acid fumes daily has helped to kill the bad crap in my system. I'm 71, get checkups every 6 mos, and don't have a damned thing wrong with me, that I know of (knock on wood). At least, they never seem to think I need any medication. I worry a lot more about things that surround us, like fluoridation, pesticides, fertilizer, etc. Were I you, I would probably jump at the opportunity. Too bad you'll be stuck in the office. Lots more fun in the plant.

 

[benheise]

I would probably jump at the opportunity

why is that? Just curious, I am new to most of this

 

[Palladium]

You don't have to tell us but the name of the refinery might help.

 

[goldsilverpro]

I would probably jump at the opportunity

why is that? Just curious, I am new to most of this

Because I love it and I made good money most of my life because of my knowledge gained from working in these refineries. I can think of nothing that I would rather do. I'm lucky to have a profession that I love. Not too many people can say that.

 

[goldsilverpro]

You don't have to tell us but the name of the refinery might help.

I don't know if he would be wise to answer that publicly, Ralph. It could backfire. He could PM some of us, though.

 

[Palladium]

I figured he wouldn't. Just had to ask anyway. :lol:

You right though, i have seen where employers are using such things as looking at a potential employee’s facebook pages and such as part of the screening process.

 

[patnor1011]

But he said he is going to work in the office. Paperwork, not processing or lab...

 

[freechemist]

Hey benheise,

You seem to be a lucky man. Working within a refining company probably means to have one of the most safe working places possible today. Think only of debt crisis in Europe and also in the US, urging investors into PM-markets, away from stock exchange and unstable derivatives. In addition, recovery- and refining-industry is a special case in having work-up tariffs, based on the value of the material to be treated and not on the material used to treat it. In different words, no other company than a refining company is able to calculate to the customers such high prices (accepted by the customer) for as such very cheap base chemicals like hydrochloric acid, nitric acid and others, even pharmaceutical companies can't do that. And more, precious metal refiners live quite well from values, which at the time of contracting are not known, neather to the refiner, nor to the customer.
Because recovery/refining of precious metals is closely related to waste-managing and -industry, which is a very strictly regulated (and controlled) branch, and uses a lot of hazardous chemicals in a strictly controlled way, you should not be too much concerned about your health at working place.

Good luck and regards, freechemist