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When I think back on it, most of the safety problems I have seen in our industry involve rapid and unplanned changes in elevation of various items. Gravity works, folks, and if you don't believe it, just hang around for a while.
Our beloved dog, Fred, had to be put down on 29 Mar 18. It just about killed us. We swore there would be no rebound dog, but guess what--we have a rebound dog, "Broc," an eight year old Shih-Tzu. Broc apparently had an encounter with gravity--he will not climb or descend stairs. A step or two are OK, but an entire flight from floor-to-floor evokes a freeze. I'll have to work on that.
My first severe encounter with gravity was during a major rebuild. I was the assistant project manager and running the night shift. Three of us were in the basement of the wet end of the dryer section when we heard a noise overhead. It was amazing that we could hear the noise at all--there were 350 craftspeople in the building and about 60 jackhammers running (ear protection was not required in those days, but that is another story). We could hear things falling through from above and we were in a blind end of the dryer section--only one way out. The other two people with me were ahead of me and perhaps pushing off me. I brought up the rear and took a 20-ft-long 4 x 4 across the back of my leg. Knocked me down. They would not let me get up without the EMTs examining me first. One of the EMTs fell and broke a finger getting to me. But I was fine.
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We did not think about what had started this series of events. Way up in the top of the dryers, a craftsperson had been standing on two sheets of plywood, supported across the dryers by 4 x 4's. The dryers had rolled, causing all the support work to fall on us. This left the craftsperson hanging by his hands from a piece of overhead structure he had impulsively grabbed. He yelled and yelled, but no one heard him. It was likely a forty-ft drop through the dryers to where we were in the basement. Finally, he was heard and rescued, probably minutes before his arms might have given out.
Gravity works.
In another case, perhaps ten years ago, cable inspection was neglected on a dry-end crane. A reel of paper was lifted off the rails, headed to the winder. The roll dropped about three feet and completely destroyed the floor. Fortunately, no one was hurt, but the floor suffered catastrophic damage.
Gravity works.
In another case, a friend who climbs chimneys to perform stack testing slipped and fell only three ladder rungs from the ground. He walks around with stainless-steel rods in his back now.
Gravity works.
I was the expert witness on a case recently in which a sling, lifting a brand new suction press roll, broke and dropped the roll about ten feet. The roll was destroyed and so was the floor. A brand new sling was available but the contractors chose to use their own. Although the sling was in bad shape, one of the complications in this case was that the roll weight was denoted in metric tons and the sling capacity was denoted in short tons. We'll never know, but that could have made the difference in a marginal sling performing rather than failing.
What goes up must come down--gravity works.
For safety this week, please use the lessons from this column to go out in your mill and check one thing for a potential gravity failure. I have given you a wide range of ideas, it should be easy to find one or two to check. If you find anything that is novel, please drop me a confidential note and we'll use it in this column in the future--jthompson@taii.com.
Be safe and we will talk next week.
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* We are looking for a Production Shift Team Leader to maintain high standards, plus ensure safety policies and regulations for a company located close to Chicago's Midway Airport. If you are experienced team leader who has a four-year degree in an engineering/technical field (paper science degree preferred, and experience in recycled linerboard or corrugating medium paper mills is a plus), we are looking for someone like you! If you are interested or would like more information, please contact Jim Thompson at: jthompson@taii.com Ph. 678-206-6010 Cell: 404-822-3412.
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* An expanding company is looking for a Corporate Industrial Electro-Mechanical Engineer near Allentown, PA. Relocation is available. Do you have a storied list of unique electrical and mechanical engineering skills you're ready to take to the next level? Do you envision yourself in a corporate-level leadership role that your experience finally merits? And do you relish any opportunity to troubleshoot and solve real-time problems, all while designing and installing new services and systems that will not only ensure safety, but also turn a potentially hazardous work environment into a continuously thriving one? If you are interested or would like more information, please contact Jim Thompson at: jthompson@taii.com Ph. 678-206-6010 Cell: 404-822-3412.
* An expanding company is looking for hands-on Electro Mechanical Maintenance Techs in Conyers, Georgia. Preference will be given to candidates with higher education and additional certificates or training. You must be able to work any shift. Pay is negotiable with excellent perks and benefits. Relocation assistance is available to the right candidate. If you are interested or would like more information, please contact Jim Thompson at: jthompson@taii.com Ph. 678-206-6010 Cell: 404-822-3412.
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