Technical Release

STAIRCASE ENSURES SAFE ENTRY/EXIT TO LOADER

Loaders: safety

Feb. 2003
03-R-6

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Fig. 1: View of loader and staircase

INTRODUCTION: When employees of International Paper, Bemidji Division heard of an accident injuring the loader operator in the woodyard of a mill nearby, top priority was given to finding a solution to prevent the same accident from happening in their own yard. Employees at International Paper had expressed concern about the difficulty entering and exiting their Prentice loader while maintaining three-point contact. This maneuver was especially difficult on windy days, which caused the door to swing too fast, and on rainy and snowy days, associated with slippery conditions on the machine.

GENERAL FEATURES: The lead loader operator at International Paper is an excellent fabricator and inventor. He set to work on the idea of a staircase to allow easy access for entering and exiting the loader, with other staff members contributing ideas as well, with OSHA's regulatory requirements also acknowledged, including the OSHA-specified slope and stair-spacing and double railing. The staircase was fabricated in-house. The treads on the stairs were designed from grated steel to ensure that water, mud, and snow would be self clearing, while providing extra traction. The deck area at the top allows ample space for maneuvering in and out of the machine and provides a platform for maintenance activities. A kick plate was added all around the upper deck to prevent tools from falling off.

APPLICATION: This staircase has been installed in an area designated as the loader parking area. The staircase and platform are used every time an operator enters or exits the machine, with the exception of the rare occasion the operator must exit the machine deep into the woodyard. An added benefit of the staircase is that it is routinely used for fueling and maintenance work. The operators are pleased that they have a safe and secure place to stand while carrying out these duties.

This staircase as been a great success at International Paper. The operators always feel safe when entering and exiting the loader.

COMMENT: The same talented fabricator designed a similar staircase to serve as a mobile platform for workers securing pulpwood loads on railcars. With the phasing out of rail transport at Bemidji, the staircase was transformed into a low ramp to enable easy access to pickup truck or access truck beds or for loading four-wheelers or other field equipment, eliminating the need for a crane.

Fig. 2: Looking down the staircase

Guy Wold
International Paper
P.O. Box 148
Bemidji, Minnesota 56619
218/759-1310

Reviewed By:
Richard Lewis
Acting Lake States Technical Division Forester

 

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