Follow safety rules when handling spools and parent reels

Due to the weight and overall size of parent rolls and spools, handling accidents can cause serious injury or death to personnel, and costly repairs to the spool or other equipment. However, handling accidents can be avoided if basic safety rules are followed.

NOTE: The following are general safety guidelines to follow when handling reel spools and parent reels. Always follow your mill's specific safety guidelines.

Only trained personnel should remove or install rolls or spools. It is best to use the same personnel for all reel handling tasks.

Inspect all load bearing and lifting devices before handling rolls. Breakdown of the lifting devices (sling or crane hook) could result in dropping the roll.

Inspect spool journals thoroughly before lifting. Use additional support when transporting spools with bent journals. Notify maintenance of the need to replace the bent journal. Do not place spools with bent journals back in service.

Never lift loads over anyone's head. Do not proceed if anyone is beneath the crane or anywhere a falling reel/spool or tools could present a hazard. Keep all personnel away from the reel area during transfers. A warning should be sounded whenever a roll or spool is being carried by a crane.

WARNING: Never lift rolls/spools or equipment over anyone's head. Never walk under suspended loads. Hooks or slings can slip and could cause injury or death.

Make sure to position the crane in exact alignment with the roll, both length and width, to prevent contact with equipment during lifts or lowering.

Wait until parent rolls or spools are in the ejected position and fully stopped before lifting.

Prior to lifting reel spools or rolls of paper, be sure that both hooks are securely in place on both spool journals before making the final lift. Do not support the reel or spool just from the center.

Do not lift suspended loads any higher than necessary. Whenever possible, transport the load only a few inches above the floor. If this is not possible, hoist the load high enough to clear all obstacles.

Use the slower crane lifting speed when lifting or carrying rolls or equipment. The faster speed should be reserved for raising and lowering empty crane hooks.

Pay attention to the task! Operator inattention when transporting suspended loads can cause accidents.

Never place hoist chains or hooks around a reel spool until the spool has stopped revolving.

Make sure that reel spools are securely in the receiving location (for example: the primary arms or storage rack) before removing the crane hooks.

Do not hand guide rolls.

Avoid setting parent rolls on the machine room floor. Place the parent rolls on support stands or rails. Rolls set on the floor cause flat spots that can cause vibration during the next unwinding process. This vibration has the potential to cause equipment accidents and injury to personnel.

If parent rolls or paper rolls are set on the floor, make sure to use blocks to prevent runaway rolls on uneven floors.

Maintain a minimum of 20 inches between adjacent full parent rolls of paper.

Raise hoists when not in use.

Do not stack empty reel spools.

Do not leave empty spools suspended from a hoist.

For more information on ways to improve safety in the handling of reel spools and parent reels, consult your mill's safety manager or contact your Valmet representative for training or rebuild options.