Carrier Ropes – Safety

What are the three main dangers associated with carrier rope systems?
A paper machine carrier rope system poses three major dangers above and beyond those inherent to the paper machine: nip points, burns, and rope breakage.

What is a nip point?
A nip point is created wherever a moving or rotating object contacts another moving, rotating, or stationary object and creates a pinch point. Nip points are places where clothing, tools, and body parts can be grabbed and drawn into the machinery.

Where are nip points and pinch points located in carrier rope systems?
Rope systems introduce a number of new nip points, including rope-to-rope nips, rope-to-sheave nips, rope-to-dryer can nips, and tensioner sheave carriage nip points.

Why is it important to approach an area that contains carrier ropes cautiously?
There is always a chance of rope breakage, and if a rope breaks, it can easily get tangled in an adjacent rope and create a hazard. The fact that the ropes move so quickly and have the power of the entire paper machine behind them presents a considerable possibility for injury.

If you must cross under a rope, how should you proceed?
Stop before you cross and observe the rope run. Watch long enough to see the entire length pass by and look for rope damage or an unusual rope movement. Look in both directions to make sure that the rope is properly moving through the sheaves. Listen for any unusual noises, like squeaky sheave bearings, and the sheet break horn. If everything appears normal, pass under the rope run quickly.