Milling Journal - Q1 2008 - (Page 37)

Be sure to wear the proper safety equipment when at risk for an arc flash. This includes protective clothing, gloves, boots, shields, and approved tools. Confined-Space Entry Part of any Use proper lockout/ mill safety traintagout procedures. ing should include a procedure for performing a successful confined-space entry. Employees must know which confined spaces require a permit to enter. The permit should include a checklist and must be approved by a supervisor. When entering a confined space, each member of the entry team must know his or her duties. Also, be sure to test the atmosphere in the space prior to entry. Lastly, before the employee enters the space, have a retrieval and emergency response plan ready. Machine Guards Do we need to train employees on machine guards? Absolutely. Employees should be trained to look for any exposed shafts, pulleys, sprockets, or other equipment that could pose a safety hazard. Some pieces of equipment may not be able to be guarded with the traditional steel mesh. In these cases, it may be necessary to employ light curtains, limit switches, or other types of machine guards. Fire/Explosion Protection One of the most important parts of a mill fire/explosion protection program is prevention. Safety personnel should maintain and test alarm and sprinkler systems regularly. New hires and contractors must be told the explosion risk associated with grain dust and flour. Many people not associated with the milling industry do not realize this. As part of this, make sure your hotwork program is up to date. In the event of an explosion or fire, training is the key to getting through it as safely as possible. Make sure every employee knows what his or her role is. Each person should have a role that fits into the overall plan. Belt Manlift Safety For those mills with a belt manlift, it is probably the most dangerous tool in the entire facility. You should conduct annual training on the belt manlift, not only to teach new hires but to remind veterans of the inherent safety risk. Although accidents on this piece of equipment are fairly rare, they are almost always fatal. Remember, years of experience without a fall from a belt manlift can create a false sense of security. Create a Safety Culture Now that we’ve discussed the mill’s hotspots for safety hazards, let’s look at how to prevent these accidents. Everyone’s job. For a safety program to be effective, you must make it a part of everyone’s job. Many milling companies employ a fulltime safety director. However, this is not an excuse for other employees to relax on safety guidelines. Do not fall victim to the “not my job” mentality. Even if you are not the safety director, you should speak up if you see something unsafe. Josh Flint, editor Response No. 371 MILLING JOURNAL First Quarter 2008 37 http://www.ibberson.com http://www.ibberson.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Milling Journal - Q1 2008

Milling Journal - First Quarter 2008 Contents First Break Examining Fortification Standards IAOM 2008 Milling Short Courses 2008 IAOM Conference and Expo Melinda Farris Interview Designing a Purifierless Millflow Dirk Maier Named KSU Dept. Head NAMA’s 2008 Division Meetings Protecting Electrical Workers Miller Profiles Todd Bastean Interview Safety: How Serious Are We? Product Quality/Gwirtz Product Roundup: Magnets Pest Management/Subramanyam Explosion Protection Supplier Interview: Darin Stutler Product Reviews New IAOM Safety Award Criteria Don’t Forget OSHA Form 300A Milling Notes Great Lakes Regional Conference 4th Quarter 2007 Flour Production IAOM Reference Guide Hammermills Brushes Aspirators Level Indicators Product Reviews Magnets Mixers Packaging Purifiers Safety Equipment Screeners Separators Sifter Accessories Ad Index

Milling Journal - Q1 2008

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