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Bulletin number: SB-110,
Rev A
Category: Safety
Date issued: February 7, 2006
Machine models: All TEI Mini-Top Feeders, but
could potentially apply to
other prefeeders
Subject: Personnel safety during
prefeeder operation
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To our valued customer:
This service bulletin is part of an ongoing
effort to provide quality service and support for all Alliance
Machine Systems International, LLC products. If you need assistance
or more information, please call Gary Kneale, Field Service Manager,
toll-free at (888) 768-2200 (US & Canada) and select option two.
Description of Problem
Alliance was
recently advised of an operator fatality involving a Mini-Top Feeder
(MTF). The MTF had been in service for approximately 5.5 years.
Reportedly, the operator had approximately 3 months of operating
experience within this plant at the time of the accident. While this
accident involved a MTF the same scenario could potentially apply to
other prefeeders.
When setting up
for a new order, the operator had incorrectly positioned the shingle
gate assembly. As a result, a jam occurred upstream of the shingle
gate assembly as the order began after the first turn of the
inverter assembly. The operator climbed up onto a stairs/platform
assembly located alongside the extendo to gain access to the shingle
gate area on top of the extendo. The operator apparently lost his
balance, fell approximately 5 feet to the floor, and suffered a
severe head injury when he landed on the floor.
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Discussion
During Alliance’s investigation of this
accident with the customer several important items became known:
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The stairs / platform assembly positioned
alongside this MTF was a customer-furnished unit and not an
Alliance-designed or supplied unit. This unit lacked a handrail
for operator protection and support on the side of the stairs
facing the extendo. The design of this unit required the
operator to lean over the extendo to reach jammed sheets. The
operator was not able to easily access the centerline area of
the extendo or the portion of the extendo from the centerline to
the drive side.
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It was determined that the MTF was not
properly locked out per the Operator Manual procedures prior to
the operator intervening on the extendo to clear the jam.
However, unexpected machine
motion did not appear to be a factor in causing the operator to lose
his balance and fall.
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Recommended Action
Alliance recommends that operators of TEI MTF’s
accomplish the following tasks within 30 days of receiving this
safety bulletin.
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Advise your finishing room personnel of
this report to emphasize the need for continuous safety
awareness during normal daily prefeeder operations.
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Review and discuss the safety sections of
the respective prefeeder Operator Manuals with any plant
employees who routinely operate TEI MTF’s or other prefeeders.
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Review the design of any non-Alliance
stairs / work platforms / elevated operator access aids that may
be currently installed in conjunction with any TEI MTF’s or
other prefeeders in order to insure conformance with applicable
workplace design and safety standards.
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Additional
information
For in-service MTFs, Alliance offers an
optional elevated work platform that can be retrofitted onto the
prefeeder. This work platform is installed above the extendo in the
area over the shingle gate assembly. This platform features a ladder
with handrails, and handrails around the sides of the platform. The
platform allows safe operator access to the shingle gate and
inverter assembly to easily clear any jams in this area.
Contact your Alliance Sales representative for
more information on this optional “Pre-Hopper Access Stairs /
Platform” assembly for Mini-Top feeders. Back to top
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