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 		Plant-Wide Hazards
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Planers

Planers, also called surfacers, are woodworking machines used to dress and size rough-sawed lumber on one or more sides, planing boards to an even thickness.

Operator Involvement

The operator adjusts the planer for the cut and then feeds stock into the in-feed side of the machine. The surface board is retrieved from the out-running end.

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> Saws
>> Planers
> Chippers

Point of Operation Top

Hazard/Solutions:

Contact may occur with the cutter head, belts and pulleys, or other machinery.

  • All cutting heads must be guarded. 1910.265(e)(6)(i)(a) Provide barriers at the loading and unloading ends to keep hands out of point of operation.
 Infeed to planer feed roll is inadequately guarded.
Infeed to planer feed
roll is inadequately guarded.
A worker manually adjusts tolerances of cutting heads with the machine running.
A worker manually adjusts tolerances of
cutting heads with the machine running.

Manually adjusting cutting tolerances of planer
Manually adjusting cutting tolerances of planer
  • Pressure feed rolls and "pineapples" must be guarded. 1910.265(e)(6)(i)(c)

  • Completely enclose belts and pulleys of line shaft with sheet metal or heavy mesh guards; guards must be used regardless of the location of the line shaft. [29 CFR 1910.219(a)(1)].
 Infeed to planer. Note the unguarded pineapple roll and infeed roll.
Infeed to planer. Note the unguarded
pineapple roll and infeed roll.

 Board is fed into planer by pineapple and cylindrical infeed rolls.
Board is fed into planer by pineapple
and cylindrical infeed rolls.
  • Cover cutting heads with a metal guard or cage. The exhaust system may be integrated with the guard.
    [29 CFR 1910.213(n)(1)]    .
 Exhaust hoods to remove planer shavings from point of operation
Exhaust hoods to remove planer
shavings from point of operation
Interlocked guards on cutting heads on planer
Interlocked guards on cutting
heads on planer
Top


In-Running Rolls Top

Hazard/Solution:

Clothing, hair, or hands may be caught by and pulled into, the automatic feed mechanism.

  • Guard feed rolls with a wide metal strip or bar that will allow boards to pass but that will keep the operators' fingers out [29 CFR 1910.213(n)(3)].
 Planer with labeled parts
Planer with labeled parts
Top


Kickbacks Top

Hazard/Solution:

Stock may be thrown back at the operator after being caught by the cutter head.

  • Install anti-kickback fingers on the in-feed side across the width of the machine. Stand back once the boards have been put through to avoid injuries from kickback and flying splinters. Do not feed boards of different thickness. Thinner boards will be kicked back.
Top


Flying Objects Top

Hazard/Solution:

Work pieces, wood chips, and/or splinters may be thrown by the cutting action.

  • Use a barrier or guardrail when the machine is running.
Top


Vibration and Noise Top

Hazard/Solution:

Vibration and noise produced from the machinery may be harmful to the workers.

  • Use an appropriate noise enclosure for the planer. Ensure that the machinery is anchored to, and insulated from, a solid foundation. Use Personal Protective Equipment.
 Noise enclosure for planer
Noise enclosure for planer
Top

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