Of all the ways to keep your gypsum drywall process efficient, regular maintenance is the holy grail. We talk a lot about how to properly maintain your pin mixer, because it’s truly one of the best ways to prevent issues in the mixing process and maintain a high-quality slurry.
It’s even more important to stay safe during the maintenance process. That means following the proper steps, using the right tools and personal protective equipment (PPE), and being aware of the dangers.
With the gypsum board market set to reach 5,250 million square meters by the end of 2023, we know drywall manufacturers are hard at work — but when it comes to safety, there’s no room for shortcuts.
Take a look at three common injuries associated with gypsum mixer maintenance, and we’ll tell you how to stay safe.
Back injuries
This one’s pretty straightforward. The lid sections of your gypsum mixer are heavy and need to be lifted in a particular way. Attempting to lift the lid sections by hand can cause back injuries, so it’s important to rig and lift the lid sections with proper lifting devices.
Hand injuries
The most common injuries that can happen during mixer maintenance are hand injuries. This can happen while rotating the large, heavy rotor, as the worker’s fingers and hands are exposed to various pinch points between the moving rotor and stationary parts of the mixer.
In the past, we’ve discussed how different parts of the mixer can wear down or break over time as part of regular wear-and-tear. When they wear down too much, these parts can be dangerous — sharp worn edges and broken chrome can be as sharp as your best hunting knife.
Again, regular inspections and maintenance are a must to keep parts intact. Workers should protect their hands with gloves rated for the job, and they should use proper tools to rotate the rotor, rather than doing it by hand. Every new ACS mixer is shipped out with the right tool for the job.
Chemical exposure
Gypsum itself is classified differently depending on your country and region. Generally, the main risk associated with gypsum occurs during the drywall installation phase, which can release the crystalline silica dust known to cause respiratory issues and irritation when inhaled.
In our line of work (actually mixing the slurry), the main danger comes from other chemicals added to the drywall mix. Chemical additives can linger in supply lines and hoses, leaving hazards to the skin and eyes. Touching your eyes after working in these areas can cause irritation and, in some cases, blindness.
Several engineering controls can limit the hazards of chemical exposure, but here are a few tips:
- Install proper ventilation and HVAC systems throughout the facility.
- Wear adequate PPE including gloves, protective clothing, safety goggles, and masks.
- Make sure workers know where to access the nearest eye wash station.
- Don’t eat, drink, or smoke while working in the facility.
- Always vacuum silica dust instead of sweeping.
- Inform all workers about best practices for handling chemicals.
Is your facility in good shape?
When in doubt, check your mixer manual for more safety information, or get in touch with the ACS Mixers team. Whether it’s troubleshooting a production issue, boosting performance, or improving safety on the job, our gypsum consultant can help. Contact us to get the answers you need.