SB111 Potential for Minor Head Injury in ALF¨-MAX Sheet Hopper

SAFETY BULLETIN

Bulletin number: SB111

Date issued: August 29, 2006

Machine models: ALF¨-MAX

Subject: Potential for Minor Head Injury in ALF¨-MAX Sheet Hopper

Back to Index

Description of Problem
Solution
Recommended Action

To our valued customer:

This safety bulletin is part of an ongoing effort to provide quality service and support for all Alliance Machine Systems International, LLC products. If you need assistance or more information, please call Gary Kneale, Field Service Manager, at 509-535-0356 and select Option two.

Description of Problem

Alliance has become aware of the potential for head lacerations occurring when loading sheets into the sheet hoppers. These injuries may occur when operator stands up after loading a lower hopper and strikes his head on the bolted-on extension of one of the upper hoppers. These injuries are likely to be minor as no energized parts are involved.

Each hopper has an extension bolted onto the back of the hopper. These extensions provide space for the sheet backstop to rest, allowing the sheets to use the full space of the hopper.

Solution

Alliance will provide safety foam to cover the outer edges of the hopper extensions and the sheet hopper bins. This foam will cover all hard edges to reduce the likelihood of cuts and contusions if an operator strikes his head on the edge of the hopper or extension.

Recommended Action

Alliance recommends that you take the following actions within 30 days after receiving this safety bulletin.

Caution operators to visually check for clearance above their heads as they load the hoppers.
Install safety foam available at no charge from Alliance on the hopper extension.

Instructions for Installing Safety Foam

To install the foam protective edging do the following steps:

Ensure the ALF¨-MAX ambient environment is at least 65¡F (18¡C).
Shut down ALF¨-MAX.
Remove paper and removable guides from sheet hopper.
Wipe down sheet hopper bins and extensions, paying careful attention to the edges.
Wipe edges of sheet hopper bins and extensions with an alcohol prep pad containing at least a 50% solution of isopropyl alcohol. Do not forget to wipe the bottom of the sheet hopper or the bottom and inside of the sheet hopper extension (shown in red below).

Wipe the inside edges of both the L-shaped foam and the U-shaped foam with an alcohol prep pad containing at least a 50% solution of isopropyl alcohol.
Apply the adhesive tape to the metal of the sheet hopper and sheep hopper extensions. Apply to all edges will be covered by foam.
Attach the L-shaped foam to the edges of the sheet hopper and the U-shaped foam to the sheet hopper extensions. Press firmly. See illustration on next page for details about placing each section of foam.
Restart ALF¨-MAX.

The adhesive will gain full strength in about 1 day. The ALF¨-MAX can be run during this time as long as some care is taken not to dislodge the foam.

For best results:

Cut adhesive into short strips, no more than 1 foot long.
When attaching the U-shaped foam pieces, hold the foam pieces open to prevent the adhesive from attaching too close to the outer edge of the foam.
Curl the U-shaped foam around the corners of the sheet hopper extension.
Apply adhesive then apply foam to one section at a time. See illustrations below for suggested sections.


Section 1: Left Side of Upper Sheet Hopper – Receives 46” L-Shaped Foam	Section 2: Right Side of Upper Sheet Hopper – Receives 36” L-Shaped Foam

Section 3: Upper Sheet Hopper Extension – Receives 32” U-Shaped Foam	Section 4: Left Side of Middle Sheet Hopper – Receives 46” L-Shaped Foam

Section 5: Right Side of Middle Sheet Hopper – Receives 46” L-Shaped Foam	Section 6: Middle Sheet Hopper Extension – Receives 52” U-Shaped Foam

Back to Index

Products