Cloth finishing and fabric-coating machinery
Cloth finishing and fabric coating machinery should have:
- all drive points, belts and shafts correctly guarded
- roller intakes on all types of finishing machinery correctly guarded, with modern interlocks or trip devices on fast moving equipment
- braking systems checked on a regular basis
- suitable safety devices (eg rubber needles) provided for feed scouring machines
- all hot parts/pipes etc guarded or insulated to prevent accidental burns
- hydro-extractors:
- fitted with functioning interlocked lids that lock the lid to prevent access when the drum is moving
- fitted with out-of-balance detectors
- properly anchored to the floor
- stenters:
- traps between chains and sprocket wheels guarded
- guards fitted to prevent access to nips between rollers and fabric and rollers
- fabric pins guarded in areas that can be accessed easily
- employees prevented from climbing up machines to re-fix fabric back into pins
- slitting knives provided with effective guarding
- explosion relief fitted on direct gas-fired stenters
- brushing, raising and cropping machines:
- in-running nips guarded
- interlocked cover guards incorporating guard locking fitted to all cutter blades
- temporary guards and safe systems of work used where blade sharpening or wire dressing takes place in situ
- LEV fitted to remove dust
- safe cleaning methods used to remove any build up of dust
- dry-cleaning machines and tumble dryers
- interlocked to prevent entry whilst they are running, eg to clean or remove items
- staff trained in operation and routine maintenance such as cleaning traps and the still
- properly maintained and checked for solvent leaks
- emergency procedures in place to deal with spillages of dry-cleaning solvent
- where 'A' Frames are used - suitable safety device provided for batching units
- brakes and steering devices adequate where 'A' frames are moved by motorised systems
- fixed or interlock guards used in pressurised finishing machines
- cropping and cutting machines - specific named employees appointed to carry out sharpening work on the blades
- where operatives need to climb onto machines to make adjustments, feed material or check controls - they are trained in correct techniques, use of ladders and steps etc
- pressure vessels subject to regular inspection by the company maintenance and schemes of examination by an external competent person
- fault reporting procedures for leaks of steam, solvents and other substance
- batch carts maintained so that they run freely
- special permits in use for entering enclosed or confined spaces
- pressurised finishing machines - safety devices checked daily
- in some textile processes exposure to corrosive liquids can give rise to accelerated corrosion of cages and ultimate failure. Maintenance inspection and operating procedures should be designed to avoid such problems developing.
- haul-off rollers clothed in card wire must be guarded, otherwise there is a serious risk of entanglement
Check the British Standards that apply to cloth finishing and fabric-coating machinery.