Issue link: http://palletcentral.uberflip.com/i/536121
30 PalletCentral • July-August 2015 palletcentral.com SAFETY band saw pallet dismantler is the cornerstone of any pallet recycling business along with employee safety. With blades flying at high speeds, how are manufacturing companies managing safety-first best practices over high- volume production. Are agencies requesting new safety equipment for dismantlers? "Generally, what needs to be guarded is already guarded," said Ken Butler, SMETCO, Inc. "Each jurisdiction dictates what is safe, what is not, or if something new, like a vinyl curtain, needs to be added to the equipment to ensure safety." Much of what PalletCentral has heard on this topic noted variances from what each agency states at one time of inspection to the next one. "The machines are, without a doubt, the fastest and most efficient way of recovering lumber from old pallets. I doubt you would see a complete transformation of the current machine, unless the industry demanded it," commented Danny Sparrow, Charlotte Crating and Pallet, Inc. As developments in robotics and automation grow, there are challenges to the wood packaging industry to find less costly solutions in equipment for this high volume industry. Below we share a couple remarks from NWPCA members in the recycling sector, and we'll continue the dialogue on PalletCentral.com. Lindsey Shean, National Accounts Manager, Valley Pallet, Inc. "For Valley Pallet, the teardown process is a vital function of our operations. With the demand put on the use of recycled material, the safety and efficiency of teardown is at the center of our daily focus. In regards to any practices, training, modifications of our bandsaw dismantlers, we have not had any third party or outside source require or encourage anything different than what we're currently doing. Our team operates the teardown process and equipment based on OSHA standards and industry best practices. Our training on this equipment is extensive, making sure any new operator is properly versed on all aspects of the machine. We have made guard modifications to other types of saws, but we have not had to do anything special with the bandsaws. We are always looking for more efficient, safer alternatives to the bandsaw but as of now, we are confident with what we have." Justin Kamps, Regional Director, Kamps Pallets "Historically OSHA has looked at the bandsaws and does not like seeing exposed blades. There have been efforts to try different guarding but doing so inhibited the function of the machine. At Kamps, we work hard at drawing lines on the machine for the two- man dismantler operation and then training employees so they don't cross that line, and stay safe. Ongoing training and visual reminders to keep hands and fingers away from the blade, helps ensure employee safety. We spend a lot of time internally on the safest options and roll- out training at all of our facilities. We also use several single-man machines which are very safe if the operator is trained properly because your hands never need to come near the blade." PC Safety Practices Shared on Bandsaw Dismantlers A