Guillotine and Machine Guarding Safe Operating Procedure

Purpose. This procedure sets out safe operation of programmable guillotines and the guarding rules that apply to all finishing machinery.

1.Scope

This procedure applies to anyone who operates, loads, unloads, cleans or clears a guillotine, folder, stitcher, die cutter, laminator or folder gluer. Only workers who have completed the machine induction recorded in the training matrix may operate these machines.

2.Before operation

The operator must check that the light curtain or two hand control is working by testing it before the first cut of each shift and recording the test on the machine log. Guards must be fitted and closed. The clamp pressure must be set for the stock and the knife must be sharp enough to cut cleanly without excessive pressure.

• Light curtain test completed and recorded
• Guards fitted and closed
• Clamp pressure set for the stock
• Work area clear of offcuts and trip hazards

3.Operation

Hands must never be under the clamp or the knife at any time. Stock must be jogged and positioned using the back gauge and the side plate, not by reaching under the guard. Cutting programs must be checked against the job ticket before the first cut and the first cut sheet must be measured.

4.Jams, cleaning and blade changes

Jams must be cleared only after the machine is stopped and isolated. Blade changes must be carried out under lockout by a trained operator using the blade carrier, never by hand. Cleaning of any machine must be done with power isolated and the operator's lock applied.

5.Faults

A machine with a faulty guard, light curtain or interlock must be tagged out immediately, reported to the supervisor and recorded in the Machine Maintenance Log. The machine must not be used until the repair has been signed off.

6.Training and records

Operators will be trained and assessed on this procedure before working unsupervised. The training matrix will record the date of assessment and refresher training will occur every two years.