Q: What are the safety guidelines to follow around the printing press?

Steve Utschig, Consulting Technical Editor 920/735-4882 utschig@foxvalleytech.com -- Converting Magazine, 3/1/2001

A: Lost-time accidents in the pressroom can end up costing employers big money in increased workers' compensation insurance premium charges, headaches replacing an individual who can't work, and possible OSHA investigations. The injured employee is affected physically (hopefully only temporarily) and possibly emotionally due to the potential loss of income to support his or her family.

Following recommended safety procedures can prevent many accidents. Some of these procedures have a tendency to be set aside during training because supervisors assume that personnel already know them. The following guidelines are worth repeating:

Clothing:

Clothing that is worn around the press should fit closely to the body, with shirts tucked in. If long-sleeved shirts or lab coats are permitted, the sleeves should be rolled up to the elbow at a minimum. No rings, watches or jewelry of any kind should be allowed in the pressroom. If hair is shoulder length, it needs to be tied up and out of the way. Steel-toe shoes with skid resistant soles should also be worn to prevent potential crushing foot injury and slipping. When cleaning or washing up a press, rubber gloves should be worn and safety glasses utilized. Cleaning and replacing doctor blades requires the use of kevlar gloves to minimize the potential of cutting injuries.

Press preparation:

When an operator begins to work on a machine, especially for the first time, he/she should identify the locations of all the emergency stops. All guards should be present and in good working condition. Many presses today have sensors on the guards requiring that they be in their proper location before the press will start. If these sensors are present they should never be overridden.

All nip points should be identified paying the closest attention to the inward nips. They are the ones that are most likely to catch clothing or an appendage. People must be especially alert when working in the area of the gears. If any hesitation exists concerning the proper use of slitting equipment the necessary training must be provided.

Press clutter should be kept to a minimum. Pumps should be tucked into the press and hoses properly positioned to prevent snagging or tripping. Solvent cans, ink kits and other items necessary for efficient press operation should be located out of the path of the working personnel.

Press practices:

Most wide web presses require two people for efficient operation; an operator and an assistant. It is the operator's duty to know where the assistant is at all times especially when starting up, jogging, or stopping the press. It is the assistant's responsibility to inform the operator if he/she is going to be in a potentially dangerous area of the machine or if they leave the area.

It is never a good idea to wash a printing plate while the press is running or jogging. A significant number of press accidents have been associated with this procedure and the company should never condone it.

There is not a job available anywhere that is worth an injury, appendage, or a life. A printing press is an unforgiving piece of equipment when it comes to an error of judgment or lack of knowledge. Working safely and intelligently should be the key to any printing operation. It is highly recommended that safety training and refresher training become an important part of any press training curriculum.

If you found this article helpful, ENTER 206 or Inquire Online.