Tips

There are two reasons proper roll handling procedures and equipment are important to your operations:

1. Employee safety: According to OSHA, back injuries are the nation's number one workplace safety problem. On top of the pain and suffering born by employees, back injuries cost industry billions of dollars.
2. Roll damage: Often times improperly handled rolls will be damaged. Webs that are damaged may be scrapped or recycled. Costs associated with scrap webs is money taken right off your bottom line.

When considering roll handling equipment and procedures for your facility, it’s important to step out on your production floor and just watch how machine operators and other personnel handle rolls. Many times even though you may have roll handling equipment in your plant, people don't use it. That's because your people believe (and they may be correct) that they can handle rolls (tipping or rolling for example) faster or easier than the existing roll handling equipment can.

When I'm in the field, many times I will see web handling equipment tucked off in the corner of the plant covered in dust. Try to get everyone involved in the decision making process, especially the people that will use the equipment, when deciding on a roll handling device for your facility.

Written By: Jeffrey Damour, Sales Manager, Converter Accessory Corporation, Wind Gap, PA, Phone - 800-433-2413