Performing Maintenance Safely

Check this out. It’s a preview of what you’ll see in an article about screen-press maintenance from Robert Barnes that will appear in the upcoming edition of our sister publication, Industrial + Specialty Printing. The following are safety tips to observe when inspecting and maintaining screen-printing equipment.

Check this out. It’s a preview of what you’ll see in an article about screen-press maintenance from Robert Barnes that will appear in the upcoming edition of our sister publication, Industrial + Specialty Printing. The following are safety tips to observe when inspecting and maintaining screen-printing equipment.

Safety is always a primary concern. We sometimes assume that safety should be common sense; unfortunately, that is definitely not the case. People come to work and want to perform their duties in a clean and safe environment. If you allow your facility to be anything but, then make a change. Below are some essential safety measures for you and your maintenance team to use as a guide. Feel free to add as needed, but please demand that your people read them, comprehend them, and fully understand the importance safety plays in your business operation.

1. Study all general safety rules in your facility.
2. Wear protective equipment and proper clothing.
3. Follow machinery-lockout guidelines for adjustment and repair.
4. Report all unsafe conditions immediately.
5. Be aware of your surroundings and always look out for the other guy.
6. Observe machinery-warning tags and instruction-manual guidelines.
7. Never leave a machine in an unsafe condition.
8. Prevent accidents with frequent inspections and prompt preventive and corrective maintenance.
9. Report all accidents and injuries, no matter how minor.
10. Do not allow equipment to be put into production unless it is in proper operating condition.
11. Do not troubleshoot, adjust, clean, or repair a machine while it is running.
12. Maintenance procedures must be carried out only after disconnecting all electrical power, air, gas, etc.
13. Be certain that all mechanical motion has stopped and energy has dissipated completely before inspection and maintenance take place.
14. Replace all guards and safety devices before testing, and do not operate any machinery that has safety devices bypassed in any way.
15. Be observant for unusual noises, oil leaks, air leaks, etc.
16. Report any abnormal situations immediately, and make sure action is taken.
17. Be certain all body parts are clear from the operational area of machinery at all times.
18. Do not attempt to clear an obstruction or substrate jam during equipment operation.
19. Do not allow equipment to be cleaned while in the power-on position.
20. No electrical enclosure should be opened while the power supply is connected, unless a qualified electrician is present.
21. Prevent unauthorized use of machines by shutting off power supplies when equipment is not scheduled for production.
22. Inspect the entire machine immediately after each maintenance session to ensure all tools have been removed from the work area.
23. After maintenance, check the operation of all machinery in the manual mode before placing equipment into automatic mode.
24. Be alert to any unsafe conditions, and report any unsafe actions by other personnel.
25. Follow troubleshooting and repair procedures as per OEM documentation.
26. Properly analyze what effects certain actions will have, and if machine motion will occur, be certain that the motion can take place without causing injury to personnel or damage to machinery.
27. Seek help when attempting to lift heavy objects.
28. Maintain tools in a safe condition and always use them properly.
29. Do not use a tool or any equipment that has been damaged.
30. If an electrical cord or power device is damaged, disconnect power and report immediately.

What to see more? You’ll have to read the July/August 2013 edition of Industrial + Specialty Printing!

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