A HEALTH AND SAFETY SOLUTION

Clearing jammed cartons from palletising machines

What is the problem?
Palletising machines are frequently found in food manufacturing workplaces. Cartons used in these machines can occasionally become jammed during the automated palletising process, requiring the operator to dislodge the jam. Install a xed breglass grid oor around the palletiser to enable the operator to walk around all aspects of the palletiser machine and stand directly in front of any carton that may have jammed. Ensure the surface of the grid is designed in a non-slip material to minimise the risk of a slip or trip. Ensure that interlocked guarding, such as light curtains, perimeter fencing or a pressure sensing system, is installed between the xed height platform. This ensures that the palletising machine is unable to operate if an operator reaches into it. Ensure the grid prole used enables light to penetrate through the oor to the work areas used by maintenance below. Work with the carton supplier and the equipment manufacturer to identify and manage the causes of carton jamming.

What are the risks?

The task of dislodging jammed cartons in these machines increases the risk of a musculoskeletal injury due to the force required. This is compounded by the need to reach across the pallet to the cartons. Typically, there are no secure platforms around the palletising area to provide the operator with access to all aspects of the pallet. There can be a slip and fall from height risk when the operator needs to climb up to access the palletiser machine, as well as the risk of entrapment in the working machinery. Injuries may also occur over time through wear and tear on joints and other body parts when stepping up and down to access the machine.

Consulting your employees when making decisions

When making decisions on how to control risks, you must consult affected employees. Where employees are represented by Health and Safety Representatives, they must be involved in this consultation, with or without the involvement of the employees. Refer to the relevant publications below for further information.

What is a solution to this problem?

The risk of injury can be eliminated or reduced by implementing appropriate risk controls:

The Solution

Further Information
WorkSafe Advisory Service Toll-free 1800 136 089 Email info@worksafe.vic.gov.au Website worksafe.vic.gov.au Relevant Publications Your health and safety guide to Manual handling (Publication) Manual Handling (Code of Practice) Manual Handling in the Food Industry (Publication) Employee Representation (Publication) Consultation on health and safety A handbook for workplaces (Publication) Your health and safety guide to Falls prevention (Publication)
VWA Keycode HSS0016/01/10.07

A light curtain will prevent movement of hazardous parts of the palletising machine.
EDITION NO. 1 NOVEMBER 2007

WorkSafe Victoria is a trading name of the Victorian WorkCover Authority.

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