Milnor 76028CBW - Which End of the Tunnel to Enter; Clearing the Jam; Which End of the Tunnel to Exit

Chapter 2. Safety
PELLERIN MILNOR CORPORATION
Figure 4: Safety in Clearing Tunnel Jams
Location of Personnel and Equipment
Legend
1. Direct a powerful fan (with guards) into the end(s) of the tunnel that workers will enter.
2. If necessary, install lighting directed into vents to illuminate tunnel interior.
3. Frequently communicate with workers through vents.
4. Workers carry in flashlights for additional illumination.
5. If necessary, install blower with inlet side connected to vent to induce a draft. Use one blower on the side(s) of the
jam that will be worked.
6. Remove vent piping as necessary.
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2.2.2.3. Which End of the Tunnel to Enter—Generally, one should enter the loading end because
the jammed goods will be less tightly packed at that end. However, exceptions to this general rule
should be considered in the following situations:
1. The goods are dropped into the tunnel from the floor above via a tall drop chute with no
quickly accessible or convenient means to enter and exit the drop chute at the level of the
loading chute on the tunnel. (Without a convenient means to enter and exit the drop chute, it
may be impossible to climb out.)
2. The jam is much nearer the discharge end.
3. The jam is so tightly packed that it becomes necessary to clear it from both sides.
2.2.2.4. Clearing the Jam
1. Because the goods will likely be less tightly jammed toward the loading end, it is usually
better to pull the jammed goods, piece by piece, toward the loading end. However, it may be
necessary to station workers on both sides of the jam to clear it from both sides at the same
time. In extreme cases, it may save time to cut away some of the jammed goods—but the cost
of doing this must be weighed against the benefit of returning the tunnel to service sooner. If
cutting is required, use retractable utility knives, and caution all workers to use extreme care
to avoid injury.
2. Additional workers may need to be stationed in other modules to pass the goods along.
3. If the jam is to be cleared by simply spreading the goods among the empty cylinders,
remember that the wet, compacted goods will appear to be a smaller load than they actually
are. To prevent another jam, never re-start the tunnel with a larger-than-standard load in any
module, and always be sure the correct water levels exist in every module before restarting.
2.2.2.5. Which End of the Tunnel to Exit—It is generally believed that the shortest way out is the
best. However, some prefer to exit through the discharge end.
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