PPE
While it can also mean "Plastics Processing Equipment," the company that makes some of the brass brushes we use for cleaning, the acronym "PPE" usually refers to this type of equipment.
What is "Personal Protective Equipment"
With one on every extruder, this equipment is central to twin-screw masterbatching, and pushes additive materials into the melted polymer for mixing and dispersion.
What is a "side stuffer" or "side feeder"
This paperwork lists the normal operating conditions and special notes, such as safety information, for any production run.
What is "MIS" or "Manufacturing Instructions"
When done using a forklift, before disembarking, the forks should be placed in this position.
What is "all the way down and leaned forward," or similar
Outdoor yard tools like weedeaters and edgers can kick up projectiles and shrapnel which are eye injury risks without this equipment.
What is "safety glasses"
In addition to safety glasses, which are always required, this piece of headgear must be worn when performing any work with wire wheels or handheld grinders
What is a "face shield."
When running products that contain TiO2, these small pieces of equipment usually need to be changed every four hours to ensure smooth production and quality material.
What is "Breaker Plates"
These can be entered by any operations staff to alert the maintenance team of faulted or damaged equipment that could create a safety risk.
What is a "work request"
While operating a forklift, this action should be performed frequently to let pedestrians and other forklift operators know when you are crossing a threshold or navigating the warehouse racks.
What is "sounding/honking the horn"
While water is usually effective at putting out fires, one type of common house fire should NOT be put out with water due to the risk of a violent flare-up.
What is a "grease fire" or "oil fire"
This equipment ideally should be worn when attaching or detaching die plates, and when adding or removing equipment to the sand bath.
What is "heat-resistant gloves"
To reduce the chance of product leakage, all die plate bolts must be tightened twice with this tool - first while cold, and then again after heating.
What is a "torque wrench"
This is the heaviest an item such as a bag of additives can be and still be considered safe for a one-person lift.
What is "50 pounds"
This is the correct direction of travel when using a forklift to carry a load tall enough to block driver vision.
What is "backwards"
When ascending a ladder, maintaining this kind of grip and movement is effective at reducing the risk of a fall or loss of grip.
What is "Three points of contact"
Earplugs and other types of hearing protection are used to protect your ears from noise that reaches or exceeds this level.
What is "85 decibels (dB)"
When installed in DDSR feeders, this equipment is used to help knock additive materials down towards the feeder screws.
What is a "bridge breaker" or "side-mount agitator"
The word PASS is an acronym that describes how to correctly use this emergency equipment.
What is a "fire extinguisher"
After using a forklift, this action should be performed once the forklift has reached a complete stop to prevent further uncontrolled movement.
What is "set the handbrake" or similar
In the event of an electrical short, this common equipment is designed to quickly cut the power to a line or circuit, which can prevent electrical fires.
What is a "breaker/electrical breaker"
When handling respiratory irritants like Tiona or Imsil, a face mask with this designation must be worn.
What is "N95."
To prevent damage to critical extruder components, any tools used to clean vents or screws must be made of this soft metal.
What is "brass"
This term refers to the science of designing and building the job "to fit the worker" and preventing injuries caused by repetive or awkward motions
What is "ergonomics"
This is the safest location to be in if one is involved in a forklift accident or if the forklift begins to tip over.
What is "in the forklift driver's seat."
Whether lifting a personal vehicle with a jack to change the oil, or preparing to unload a commercial shipping truck, a best safety practice is to always do this to the wheels before entering or going underneath the vehicle.
What is "chock the wheels"