Executive Housekeeping Today - September 2008 - (Page 12)

laundry (continued from page 5) precautions in their designs, such as red, automatic stop buttons and conveyor guard rails, the automated machinery is still mindless and indifferent to whether it is washing or pressing a uniform, a napkin, or a human. Reducing the need for contact with moving parts and making it physically difficult to access the machinery internals plays a key role in preventing accidents. The smooth movement of today’s automated processing lines may sometimes create a false sense of security among workers, who in the desire to perform their jobs well, may skirt safety procedures to free a jammed article. Freeing a towel caught on a metal shelf in an old, aluminum laundry cart by hand is hardly dangerous, but freeing a towel caught in the feed roll of a flatwork ironer can be a perilous act that must be discouraged. A better, more modern way to free a jam in an ironer is to install a raising rig system, which instantly raises the rolls and stops their rotation at the push of a button for safe linen removal. Another effective method is to dress the ironer with the proper roll cover in the first place to promote smooth feeding and eliminate the problem that entices workers to engage in risky behaviors. Workers need to be trained and retrained to recognize when such a situation may present a safety hazard. A consistent maintenance program with regular cleaning of appropriate equipment also minimizes the potential for machinery miscues. One recent cleaning product introduction, for example, permits ironer cylinder rolls to be cleaned of dirt, grime, and chemical buildup by feeding a cloth through the ironer instead of requiring workers to scrape each roll by hand with sandpaper. In some cases, however, laundry equipment requires the type of maintenance that necessitates upclose and personal contact with the This clasp locks a flatwork ironer in the off position to safeguard against returning power to the machinery during maintenance. It is part of a complete lockout tagout safety kit that Tingue, Brown & Co. sales representatives bring with them on maintenance calls. gears, pipes, burners, and other systems to ensure the equipment continues operating safely and at peak efficiency. Before work can begin, great care must be taken to ensure power to the equipment has been cut and the equipment completely shut down according to strict lockout-tagout procedures that comply with OSHA CFR Regulation 1910.147—Control of Hazardous Energy—Lockout Tagout. When maintenance is to be performed on your laundry equipment, whether by staff or by an outside company, be sure that several layers of protection are in place beyond simply turning off the switch. Our sales representatives, for example, bring an entire lockout-tagout kit. It includes a clasp that locks switches in the off position and signage that hangs over the lock, warning everyone on site that power is off for maintenance. They even carry a credit card-sized lockout-tagout guide in their wallets at all times, among other items in the kit. The consequences of a lockout-tagout error are simply far too serious to overlook. ignite a fire. Hundreds of laundries have installed automated lint collectors to remove the material from the air and minimize the likelihood of an air quality-related incident. Slips, Trips, and Falls Indoor Air Quality The consequences of indoor air quality in a laundry are less certain than those of a lockout-tagout error, but potentially just as serious. With a greater understanding of how poor air quality affects health, thanks in part to studies conducted on airplanes and in office buildings, OSHA has been paying increasing attention and indoor air quality standards loom on the horizon. In a laundry, the primary hazards are lint and dust. While breathing lint and dust-laden air may cause health concerns, there is also substantial risk that it could Examine any facility relying on water, grease, wax, and rolling carts for smooth operation and slips, trips, and falls are likely to happen. Add high-speed production as a key objective and the situation invites cause for concern. To prevent these accidents, good housekeeping with a neat, clutter-free environment and clear access routes is essential. At a recent laundry fire that sparked the evacuation of the building, the only injury (thankfully) was due to a fall that occurred during the escape. Although it is not uncommon for a variety of linens, cleaning products, baskets, signs, and other items to find temporary homes in corners, closets, and hallways, it is precisely this type of clutter that invites trouble. Flatwork ironers, for example, are typically maintained with a waxing process using buckets of wax, unwieldy waxing cloths, and a variety of tapes and scissors. Performed as often as every two hours per ironer, it is easy to understand how the constant movement and storage of these items could become an obstacle to walking safely through the plant. Keeping all of these items in a 2 Executive Housekeeping Today/September 2008

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Executive Housekeeping Today - September 2008

Executive Housekeeping Today - September 2008 Contents Executive Corner 2008 Salary Survey Results Strengthening Worker Safety in a High Throughput Laundry Frugal Housekeeper How CIMS Relates to You Feature Article The Green Scene The Un-Comfort Zone: What's Pushing Your Buttons? Inside the Industry Product Highlights New Members Joint IEHA/ISSA Members Advertisers’ Index Calendar of Events Inside I.E.H.A. What I.E.H.A. Has Done For Me

Executive Housekeeping Today - September 2008

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