MAINTAINING HIGH QUALITY AND SAFETY
We will only produce high quality, clean, blemish free film if we ensure
that our machines are well maintained and clean. It is also much more pleasant
and satisfying to work with machines that are clean and operate well.
Before we start processing, our machine should be thoroughly inspected for any
obvious faults such as the film not sitting on a bobbin or the film not running
through the squeegees straight.
Any mechanical faults you should report to the maintenance department at once.
Our daily maintenance must include checking all the squeegees for correct adjustment and wear on the rubbers if fitted. We must make sure all bobbins are turning freely; the best way to see this is to run the machine. If the machine has the capability to raise the racks from the tanks, then we have the opportunity to inspect all the lower bobbins and to be sure there are no twists in the film path.
Keeping a processing machine clean is a difficult task, we have to continuously keep ours eyes open for splashes and spillage. Before we start work and when we finish at the end of the shift, it is a good idea to quickly spray all the top of the machine with water to remove any chemical build-up. As long as we do it quickly, the amount of water entering the baths will not be significant.
Safety is something that must concern us all; we are all responsible for our
own safety as well as the safety of everyone else.
A processing machine can present us with a number of hazards.
We have a mixture of fluids, some of which are poisonous, corrosive or cause
dermatitis.
We have electrical equipment in close proximity to fluids.
We have rotating shafts, chains and belts all ready to trap our hands. If we
follow the rules there will be little cause for concern but we must always be
on our guard.
