On my current site the workforce use an Eraser D1 Twin wheel stripping machine to remove an enamel coating from copper strips which are used as a component part of an aerospace pump assembly. The machine consists of two counter rotating wire brush type wheels, it has an electric motor with a power output of 1/2 hp. As the stripping process creates friction on the component heat is generated but localised to one end of the piece. The operators insist that they must wear gloves due to the heat issue and the possiblity of VWF!!!!! I have had a go at the process and did not experience any heat or vibration, but that could be because i am dead tough! Our company policy (as does common sense) dictates that gloves are not to be worn when using rotary wheel type machinery. I would be interested to see what actions and procedures you would enforce in this situation?

Without having first seen the actual equipment and operation it is difficult to comment. However, have you considered some form of gripping tool (probably bespoke to provide the required properties) that could be used to hold the workpiece. This could eliminate both the heat element and the concern about vibration. It would also eliminate the need for gloves and as such save money! Chris

Gloves do help keep hands warm which in my understanding helps. There is no evidence to suggest that specific gloves for vibration help and may even make it worse due to holding the equipment tighter as noted above.

I am with Chris on this one. Generally I would not advocate the use of gloves with any rotating equipment as the possibility of entanglement is very real and could lead to loss of fingers etc. I guess VWF wouldn't then be an issue .... However, a fixture to hold the piece would eliminate this question completely and has to be the optimum answer to your dilemma.

Thanks for your input Guys. I did forget to mention that it is a small bit of kit, the workpiece gets stripped on one end and then stripped on the other so the operator turns it around placing the 'hot' piece in the palm of his hand. I have instigated a process change so that the hot bit is allowed to cool down before doing the other end. If you spoke to the employees you would actually think that I had raped and murdered their Grans!! As an experiment and to show the damage that could occur, i ran one of our puncture resisant safety gloves through the machine and it ripped it to shreds! I'm now having major issues convincing the employees that I'm not a jobsworth and I'm only interested in their safety. I keep telling myself that I chose my trade!!:-)

Well, I miss read that as flay an entire army! I was like wow, I want one... Friday came quick this week :) Did anyone get the vibration magnitude for the m/c off teh internet - so we can do some Friday maths?

I am familiar with these machines and it is a simple and crude process. The guards on these machines have a very simple adjustment and I have seen them either being operated with the guards giving the max opening or removed completely. Unless the manufacturer has changed the design of the guards, (which from their website it would appear they have not), it could be challenged that they do not meet the current machinery directive, as they are easily defeated and not secured with retained fittings. As you are producing components for aerospace products, I would assume quality of the strip is going to be important, therefore have you looked at alternative processes to achieve the end result. I know of a number of organisations now using lasers to strip the enamel from magnet wire. A simple Google search for "laser magnet wire stripping" should lead to examples of these machines, which should eliminate the hazards you currently have and also give a cleaner strip.

Not really comparing eggs with eggs due to the size of the machine but see link below to a HSE prosecution... http://www.hse.gov.uk/pr.../2011/coi-nw-36ineos.htm