The German accident prevention regulations pertaining to wire (Draht UVV VBG 7e and UVV VBG 5) require processing lines to be equipped with suitable measures to stabilize the running wire. Roller crosses, roller guides and guide rolls are ideal for this purpose.
An additional effect is exerted by straighteners in this connection in that they create uniform tensile stresses and also help to stabilize the material.
Straighteners are themselves equipped with moving, rotating and clamping parts, so it is also necessary for precautions to be taken at these units, tools and devices. Ideally, safety measures should be planned and tested in a straightener's development phase. Special attention can then be paid to areas marked in the documentation as particular hazard zones and the need for effective safety measures stressed.
Areas where operators are liable to suffer injury from crushing or clamping should be guarded by individual hoods and covers. Machine paneling and complete enclosures are best for protecting large work areas and compartments, extending to safety cages and fences for entire production lines.
Occupational safety is not only incorporated in products from Witels-Albert, it is also a major topic of the company's training and instruction courses.
See Also
Adapted from “"We do it straight" — Wire Straightening”, p. 61 (ISBN 3-00-005897-4).