Plastic Strapping Safety Legislation: What you Need to Know

The Importance of Strapping Tension Control

The safety standards for plastic strapping machines have evolved to ensure that operators are protected from the various risks associated with these powerful tools. The legislation, outlined in BS EN 415 Part 8, sets clear guidelines for different types of plastic strapping machines, ensuring compliance with the Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC. Whether you’re using powered, semi-automatic, or pallet strapping machines, understanding these guidelines is essential to keep your operations safe and compliant.

Here’s a closer look at some of the most important aspects of the legislation:

Types of Machines Covered

The legislation applies to a wide range of plastic strapping equipment, including:

• –Powered plastic strapping tools
• –Semi-automatic and automatic plastic strapping machines
• –Horizontal and vertical pallet strapping machines
• –Low-cost mobile pallet strapping machines
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Each machine type is defined and illustrated in the Standard, ensuring clear descriptions and operational guidelines.

Key Safety Concerns Identified

Clause 4 of the Standard identifies common injuries associated with plastic strapping machines. These include:

• –Crushing injuries from strapping, compression mechanisms, or moving parts like raise/lower mechanisms.
• –Drawing-in injuries from conveyors.
• –Cutting injuries from handling plastic straps.
• –Burning injuries from heat sealing mechanisms.
• –Shearing injuries from moving loads.
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Safety Principles for Strapping Tension

One of the critical aspects of this legislation is ensuring operator safety by regulating the tension applied during the strapping process:

• –Tension below 450 N: No significant risk of injury, even if the operator’s body parts come into contact with the strap during tensioning.
• –Tension between 450 N and 750 N: Two independent product detecting devices or two-hand controls are required to prevent accidental operation.
• –Tension over 750 N: Fixed or interlocking guards are necessary to prevent the operator from accessing the strap arch during the machine’s operation.

Additional Safety Measures

The legislation also outlines various safety measures for key components of the machine:

• –Strap dispensing and feeding mechanisms: Must be designed with safety in mind to prevent hazards.
• –Strap gripping, retraction, tensioning, and cutting mechanisms: Typically protected by fixed or interlocking guards.
• –Strap sealing mechanisms: Must be safeguarded to prevent burns or exposure to hazardous fumes from certain types of strapping materials, like polyester.
• –Compression mechanisms: Safety design requirements vary depending on the type of strapping machine and the forces involved, particularly where compression forces exceed 250 N.
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Addressing Large Apertures

Infeed and discharge apertures, especially on pallet strapping machines, pose risks due to their size. The legislation provides guidelines for safeguarding these areas, ensuring that even large openings are protected to prevent operators from crawling or walking through hazardous zones.

Effects of the Standard on the Industry

As plastic strapping machines are now manufactured worldwide, the safety standards encourage a consistent level of safety across different products. Some machines are inherently safer than others, and this Standard pushes all manufacturers to achieve equivalent safety standards.

Why Compliance Matters

Complying with these safety guidelines is crucial not just for legal reasons but also for protecting operators from serious injury. From understanding the specific requirements for different tension levels to ensuring proper guarding and safety devices are in place, these regulations provide a blueprint for safer operations.

Purchasing the full BS EN 415-8: 2008 + A1: 2009 from BSI Standards is recommended for manufacturers and operators looking to stay compliant with the latest safety requirements.

Understanding these guidelines is key to keeping your workforce safe and your business compliant with the latest regulations in plastic strapping machine safety.

For fully compliant strapping machines, call our expert team on 01256 394400 or email [email protected].