Waste and recycling balers are very easy to use, and they make businesses more productive by compressing waste into dense, compact blocks. However, like any commercial or industrial machinery, balers should only be operated by trained staff under secure conditions.
Training is key and it is vital that the vendor gives you thorough instruction on using the machine safely, appropriate duty of care, how to bale out, how to ready the machine, how to change the banding and other simple maintenance and cleaning steps.
Never operate a baler without training and (initially) supervision.
Make sure all staff are notified of the existence of a waste baler by placing clear warning signs next to it.
Check to see if your baler meets EN16500 safety standard for vertical balers. EN16500 was introduced in 2015 to minimize the risk of injury to users. If in doubt, contact the company from whom the machine was purchased.
Is there a safe operating procedure (SOP) available? Many balers have SOP instructions or visual guides printed on the door or accessible by QR code. Try to ensure a guide is available for staff.
Does the baler have an emergency lock-out switch? Familiarise yourself with this feature in case you need to suddenly cut power to the machine.
To ensure that unauthorized personnel do not start the baler by mistake, keep it turned off when not in use.
Are you using the correct banding? Baler banding differs in length, width, breaking strength, material, and, most importantly, quality. Ensure that the banding you are using is suitable for the machine you are using.
Ensure that the bale-out area is free from obstruction and personnel before baling-out.
Depending on the size of the baler, you will need something to transport the bale safely. Make sure you have something like a pallet or a Lift Trolley ready when you are baling out.
Have the baler inspected and serviced by an authorised technician on an annual basis so it can stay in proper working condition. A baler that is regularly serviced and properly maintained can last well beyond its 10-year lifespan.
Employees should not attempt to repair a malfunctioning baler themselves or use it before it has been fixed by an authorized technician.
If in doubt, always check the manual. Keep the manual next to the machine so that operators can refer to it. If you need a second copy or a soft copy of a manual, contact a rep and request one.
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