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Following the findings in Safety Show '15 on Pulp and Paper Radio International, I wrote in the Light Green Machine Institute weekly newsletter this week questioning the need for ladders and platforms. This is such an important topic, I chose to bring it here.

I submit that we continue to add ladders and platforms to existing and new installations without thinking, just because we have always done it that way. However, in recent weeks I have come to view many ladders and platforms as I might view a gallows--a potential instrument of death.

Why do we install ladders and platforms? Well, in the old days we did it so we could see things up close and perform maintenance on equipment, including lubrication, vibration analysis and so forth. That is why we did it in the old days.

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Maintenance Month Platinum Sponsor:

RMR Mechanical: We perform as planned. Visit us at www.rmrmechanical.com!

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Why do we do the same thing now? Cameras and instruments can do almost everything we used to think we had to be up close and personal to do. If we carefully design machinery locations, wholesale replacements can often been done at ground level, or at worst, on a large mezzanine with ample room to work.

If you say you need a ladder and platform to see because a camera can become fogged up or dirty--you just aren't thinking. Which is safer, to install a camera that has provisions for in situ, remote lens cleaning, or allow a person to go up there in safety glasses, which they are going to have to remove and wipe clean of condensation? Think about that for a minute.

Every set of stairs is a fall or trip hazard waiting to happen. We are better than this. With some small effort, we can design systems of instruments and cameras to eliminate the necessity of many routine trips into the fog and slime of the wet end. We make those trips simply because we are used to doing it that way.

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Maintenance Month Silver Sponsors:

Conmark Systems Inc.: Conmark introduces the maintenance-free Satron VCT . A Consistency Transmitter with superior performance for difficult mill applications- modestly priced. http://www.conmark.com/products/satronvc.htm

Fulton Systems: Our designs are built on proven methods and technology. www.fultonsystems.com.

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And many of these ventures into the fog are made in a hurry with many things besides a sure footing on our minds. Think of how many times you have seen people bounding up stairs to see what the forming table looks like, or for an up close look at the slice. With today's high definition cameras, we can get a closer, better look than we can with direct observation. On top of that, we can record what we see for archival reference. Think the rooster tail is worse than it was last week? Look at the archives and compare directly--don't rely on your memory.

Vibration sensors are cheap and can remotely monitor the peskiest bearing locations. Lube systems pump oil and grease everywhere you need it, with flow meters at floor level for adjustment. There is an instrument that can remotely measure anything else you want to measure. For the occasional observation or measurement, there are RPAs (Remotely Piloted Aircraft) often called drones.

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Maintenance Month Bronze Sponsors:

Miami Machine: Miami Machine specializes in repairs and provides annual inspections for your reel spools, suction roll or felt rolls. Visit our website at www.miamimachine.com.

Seneca Steel Erectors: A mechanical contractor that specializes in boiler repair, conveyor repair, and custom metal fabrication. www.senecasteelerectors.com.

Philadelphia Mixing Solutions: We are the mixing experts. Visit www.philamixers.com.

Essco is Trusted for Performance. Visit www.esscoincorporated.com.

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It is time to stop playing chutes and ladders in our mills. This is not a game--lives have been lost and there is a potential for more lives to be lost on these dangerous structures. Start seriously evaluating every ladder and platform on your site today.

What do you think? Let us know by taking our quiz this week. You may take it here.

For safety this week, I think I gave you plenty to think about in the column.

Be safe and we will talk next week.

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