Weaving and warping machinery

Weaving machinery

Weaving machinery should have:

• drive mechanisms, belts etc fully guarded
• spoked handwheels, gearwheel, let off motions etc blanked off or provided with emergency stop controls
• start control buttons and system distinguishable by touch and designed to prevent inadvertent start up?
• dangerous moving parts of the shedding mechanism (tappets, dobbies, jacquard) fully enclosed or safe by position
• safe systems of work, including lock out etc, used where tuning operations require the machine to be operated without guards
• weft insertion mechanism adequately guarded
• shuttle guards provided on shuttle looms
• safe access to upper jacquard mechanism eg steps, walkways, platforms
• where accessing the machine to carry out repairs is unavoidable - isolation controls and safe procedures in operation
• guard-rails, handholds and openings all clearly marked and maintained
• machine can be isolated from the jacquard platform
• ear defenders being worn correctly and are ear protection zones marked?

Check the British Standards that apply to weaving machinery.

Warping machinery

Warping machinery should have:

• trip wires and bars fitted on beaming off, to prevent access to danger zones
• safe systems of work, including lock out etc, used where tuning operations require the machine to be operated without guards
• revolving shafts, conveyors and gears fully guarded
• safety brakes fully effective
• pressure sensors or safety valves fitted in the power circuit to stop the machine in the event of pressure loss
• beam flanges and associated shafts free from damage and projections
• inspection system in operation to ensure safety requirements are being met
• moveable interlocked guards fitted at drawing in points, pressure rollers, beam flanges etc
• where accessing the machine to carry out repairs is unavoidable - isolation controls and safe procedures in operation
• warp beam storage:
  • stands designed, fitted and marked with maximum load weight limits
  • stands totally enclosed or otherwise guarded to prevent beams falling out
• drawing in points on drive chains and sprockets guarded?
• lifting mechanisms  checked by a competent engineer under LOLER
• warp creels - employees given a variety of tasks in order to limit WRULDs
• where employees are required to climb steps to reach the creel – employees use correct climbing and balancing techniques
• high-speed beaming operations - safe systems of work cover inching and starting up procedures

Unless there are strong technical reasons to the contrary, the beam on all sectional-warping machines should be overwound when beaming off.  The beaming off side of all machines should be fitted with a horizontal trip bar, or a trip wire that will stop the machine if displaced.  Alternatively, some other equally effective means may be provided to prevent inadvertent access to the beam while it is in motion.  Beams with broken flanges should be repaired before beaming off.

In-running nips between pressure rollers and the beam have caused fatal injury.  Access should be prevented by fixed guarding or, if this is not possible, by means of a photo-cell, sensitive mat or other suitable trip device.

Check the British Standards that apply to warping machinery.