Safety Innovation Summary:
A manual hand wheel used in the slitter/scorer process was replaced with a motor-driven system to improve ergonomics and reduce physical strain. Previously, employees at the GP La Mirada, CA facility manually operated a small-radius gear rack to access the auxiliary score section during preventive maintenance or blade replacement. This process posed ergonomic risks due to the heavy equipment and repetitive manual effort required.

 

Implementation and Impact:
The new design incorporates an air motor with a low-ratio gearbox, which is compatible with the existing roll dolly, eliminating the need for new inventory parts. A torque limiter was added to ensure safe operation if the system encounters resistance. This change significantly reduced manual labor, leading to quick acceptance by employees. The impact of the innovation is clear: ergonomic hazards associated with the previous process have been eliminated, improving worker safety and comfort.

 

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