01 Sep Compactor and Baler Safety

Compactor and Baler Safety

Compactors and balers are used to compress cardboard, paper, plastics, metals, garbage, and other materials into smaller loads for storage, recycling, or transportation. These machines use powerful hydraulic or mechanical rams and can cause crushing, amputation, caught-in, and fatal injuries if employees enter or reach into operating equipment.

Only trained and authorized employees should operate compactors and balers. Follow the manufacturer’s operating instructions and never exceed the equipment’s rated capacity.

Know Your Equipment

Understand how the specific compactor or baler operates before using it. Machines may operate manually, semi-automatically, or automatically using sensors that initiate the compression cycle.

Before operating the equipment:

• Know how and when the ram activates.
• Locate normal operating controls and emergency stops.
• Understand the function of sensors and interlocks.
• Inspect guards, doors, gates, and other safety devices.
• Keep the loading and discharge areas clear.
• Report damaged or malfunctioning equipment immediately.

Never operate equipment with missing, damaged, or bypassed safety devices.

Keep Out of the Danger Zone

Guards, interlocked doors, loading chutes, conveyors, and other safeguards are designed to prevent employees from reaching the ram or compression chamber.

• Never climb, reach, or place any part of your body inside the machine while it can operate.
• Never bypass or defeat an interlock, guard, or safety device.
• Use designated platforms, ladders, and access points.
• Stay clear of moving conveyors.
• Keep employees away from discharge and ejection areas.
• Account for nearby workers before starting the machine.

Never attempt to push material farther into the chamber with your hands or feet.

Clearing Jams and Performing Maintenance

Jams are common and can be extremely dangerous. Never enter or reach into a compactor or baler to clear a jam until all hazardous energy has been controlled.

Before clearing jams, inspecting, cleaning, servicing, or repairing equipment:

• Shut down the machine.
• Follow the established lockout/tagout procedure.
• Isolate all electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic, mechanical, and other hazardous energy sources.
• Release or block stored energy as required.
• Verify that the equipment cannot operate before beginning work.

Only employees authorized and trained under the company’s lockout/tagout program should perform work requiring hazardous-energy control.

Baling Hazards

Baling wire, straps, and other binding materials may be under significant tension. If they break or are cut improperly, they can snap back and cause serious injuries.

Keep your body out of the potential line of fire, use appropriate tools, and follow the manufacturer’s procedures when securing or releasing baled materials.

Young Workers

Compactors and balers present special hazards for young workers. Federal child-labor requirements generally prohibit employees under age 18 from operating, loading, or assisting in the operation of most power-driven paper-product balers and compactors, subject to limited statutory exceptions for certain 16- and 17-year-old workers involving specific equipment and conditions.

Supervisors should verify applicable requirements before assigning young workers any duties around this equipment.

Remember

Compactors and balers can exert enough force to cause fatal crushing injuries. Never enter or reach into the machine unless hazardous energy has been properly locked out and controlled. Use all guards and interlocks, follow operating procedures, and keep everyone clear before starting a cycle.