3 Tips for Safe Screen Media Change-outs

Workers should never change screens alone.

By Serge Raymond, MAJOR product specialist

Downtime is inevitable. And when you’re up against the clock and the pressure is on — that’s when accidents happen. Numerous injuries occur from hurrying to complete a changeout.

Implementing a regular preventative maintenance schedule can help to alleviate these risks, but sometimes unplanned maintenance is necessary. Breakdowns happen. In these cases, there are steps workers can take to reduce risk in screen media changeouts.

Here are our top three.

1. Always wear personal protection equipment.

This may seem like an obvious statement, but PPE is not something to take lightly. A good example of this is hand safety. It can be tempting to forego wearing work gloves for convenience or increased dexterity when handling nuts and bolts, but the risk is never worth it. Sharp edges on the tail end of screens and at the hooks can cause cuts to workers’ hands, not only posing a danger to the individual but further delaying the operation resuming production.

MAJOR’s screen designs can also help reduce the risk of injuries like this. We include metal shrouds on all FLEX-MAT and woven .362” wire and smaller. That means no sharp edges on the wire for workers to worry about during handling and installation. Though this should never be thought of as a replacement for personal protective equipment, MAJOR screens can help reduce the risk of injury to workers.

2. Take enough time.

This is probably the most effective way to prevent injuries, but often the hardest to accomplish — especially in a situation where production is waiting on the changeout. In these scenarios, it’s important to remember that safety and attention to detail go hand in hand. Workers must take the time they need to complete their work safely, constantly being aware of their surroundings and taking the extra steps necessary to minimize risks.

For example, if a nut becomes jammed in an impact socket, workers should always disconnect the power source before trying to remove it. Though this can take a few extra seconds, it can prevent harmful accidents to employees.

Workers should never change screens alone, ensuring there is always someone there to help should an individual get into a dangerous situation. Additionally, it’s important that workers are diligent about using proper lockdown procedures, as well as wearing safety harnesses if the vibrating screen is high off the ground. While these steps may seem time-consuming at the moment, they can prevent serious and even life-threatening injuries.

3. Minimize trips up and down.

Planning the job properly is extremely important to not only the job’s efficiency but the crew’s safety. Every trip up and down extends the process and exposes workers to more risk. We recommend bringing a toolbox along with all the necessary tools, including extra bolts, washers, and nuts. A good rule of thumb is if you need to replace 5, bring 15. This ensures you will have what you need to finish the job, even if a few things are accidentally dropped.  

These tips should help your crew minimize safety risks when changing out screen media, but they are just a starting place. Be sure that every employee is well trained in proper safety procedures. For more information about how to keep workers safe during screen maintenance, contact your MAJOR dealer.