Safety interlocks on bailers

[Darin Redding]

Looking for backup on a recommendation for a commercial inspection completed last week. The faulty machine was a vertical load bailer, common in many commercial environments to compress paper products for recycling.

A typical device as I am describing is shown here, along with the ANSI and OSHA safety recommendations:

http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/hc14.html

While the safety interlock at this hotel property worked properly on the compression stroke, opening the interlock while the ram was in the upstroke phase did not stop the cycling of the machine. This is a serious entrapment hazard as a person could be pinned between the ram and the top of the machine. Unfortunately the ANSI (Z245.5-1990) and OSHA standards do not specifically state this obvious hazard. I read a white paper about it some time ago but cannot locate the source now.

[Michael Larson]

Darin.

Did it meat these two requirements?

The protective gate cannot be opened faster than the ram rises to keep the top of the ram protected during the upstroke.

A safe procedure for clearing scrap from the top of the ram should include locking out power.

I see no problem with your calling out the potential entrapment hazard no matter what else you discover.

[Darin Redding]

No, actually I could enter the bailer during the upstroke. The interlock opened fully without stopping the motion of the ram.

BTW Michael, had a layover at MSP on my way home. I waved, did you see me?

[Michael Larson]

Originally Posted by dredding

No, actually I could enter the bailer during the upstroke. The interlock opened fully without stopping the motion of the ram.

BTW Michael, had a layover at MSP on my way home. I waved, did you see me?

Sorry missed it.

Next time bother the pilot and have him buzz my house.