Screen Printing Safety Protocal:

Brown ElectraPrint Screen Printing Safety

General Safety

• Only trained and authorized personnel may operate the screen printing press, flash units, conveyor dryer, and darkroom equipment.
• Read and follow all manufacturer instructions before use.
• Keep the production area clean, organized, and free of trip hazards.
• Do not operate equipment while distracted, fatigued, or impaired.
• Keep hands, clothing, jewelry, and tools away from moving machine parts.
• Long hair must be secured.

 

Personal Protective Equipment

• Wear safety glasses when reclaiming screens, mixing chemicals, or using pressure washers.
• Wear chemical-resistant gloves when handling inks, solvents, emulsion, haze remover, degreaser, or cleaning chemicals.
• Wear heat-resistant gloves when handling hot platens, flash units, dryer belts, or recently cured garments.
• Use respiratory protection only when required by chemical Safety Data Sheets or poor ventilation conditions.
• Follow all SDS instructions for inks, solvents, emulsions, adhesives, and reclaim chemicals.

 

Brown ElectraPrint Press Safety

• Keep hands clear of rotating platens, print heads, clamps, squeegee/flood bars, and indexing areas.
• Never reach into the press while it is indexing or cycling.
• Confirm all screens, squeegees, flood bars, and pallets are securely installed before production.
• Do not bypass guards, sensors, or emergency stops.
• Stop the press before making adjustments, wiping screens, or clearing jams.
• Report unusual noises, air leaks, vibration, or irregular indexing immediately.

 

Pinch Point and Crush Hazards

• Keep hands away from pallet arms, print heads, screen clamps, and moving carousels.
• Use caution when loading and unloading garments.
• Keep unauthorized personnel outside the machine operating area.
• Never place hands between moving components.

 

Flash Cure Unit Safety

• Treat flash units as hot surfaces at all times.
• Keep hands, arms, clothing, paper, rags, and chemicals away from the heating element.
• Do not leave a flash unit unattended while powered on.
• Confirm the flash unit is positioned correctly and not overheating garments or pallets.
• Allow the unit to cool before moving, cleaning, or servicing.
• Report smoke, burning smells, damaged cords, or overheating immediately.

 

Conveyor Dryer Safety

• Keep hands clear of the belt, rollers, drive components, and heated chamber.
• Do not reach into the dryer while it is operating.
• Use caution when removing hot garments from the belt.
• Keep loose fabric, paper, lint, spray adhesive, and flammable materials away from the dryer opening.
• Monitor dryer temperature and belt speed to prevent scorching or fire.
• Allow the dryer to cool before cleaning or maintenance.

 

Ink and Chemical Handling

• Avoid skin and eye contact with inks, solvents, reducers, adhesives, and cleaning chemicals.
• Keep chemical containers closed when not in use.
• Label all secondary containers properly.
• Store flammable or hazardous materials in approved locations.
• Clean spills immediately using approved procedures.
• Wash hands after handling inks or chemicals and before eating or drinking.

 

Spray Adhesive Safety

• Use spray adhesive only in well-ventilated areas.
• Keep spray adhesive away from flash units, dryers, flames, sparks, and hot surfaces.
• Avoid overspray buildup on floors, pallets, walls, and equipment.
• Use only the minimum amount needed.
• Clean adhesive buildup regularly to reduce slip and fire hazards.

 

Screen Reclaiming Safety

• Wear gloves and eye protection when using emulsion remover, degreaser, haze remover, or ink degraders.
• Use chemicals only in designated reclaim areas.
• Avoid mixing chemicals unless specifically approved by the manufacturer.
• Use ventilation when working with strong odors or vapor-producing chemicals.
• Keep hands and body clear of pressure washer spray.
• Wear hearing protection headphones when reclaiming screens.
• Never point a pressure washer at yourself or another person.
• Keep floors dry and clear to prevent slips.

 

Darkroom Safety

• Keep the darkroom clean, dry, and organized.
• Store emulsion, sensitizer, and chemicals according to manufacturer instructions.
• Use caution around exposure units, glass, vacuum blankets, and sharp screen edges.
• Keep liquids away from electrical equipment.
• Avoid blocking exits or walkways with screens, carts, or drying racks.
• Use proper ventilation when coating, drying, or storing screens.

 

Screen Handling and Storage

• Carry screens carefully to avoid cuts from sharp edges.
• Store screens securely to prevent tipping or falling.
• Do not stack screens in unstable piles.
• Use proper lifting techniques when moving large frames.
• Inspect screens for damaged mesh, loose frames, or sharp corners.

 

Fire Prevention

• Keep flammable materials away from flash units, conveyor dryers, heaters, and electrical equipment.
• Maintain clear access to fire extinguishers and emergency exits.
• Empty lint, rag, and waste containers regularly.
• Do not overload electrical circuits.
• Report smoke, overheating, sparks, or burning odors immediately.

 

Housekeeping

• Remove ink rags, tape, film, test prints, and scrap garments regularly.
• Keep floors free of ink, adhesive, water, and chemical spills.
• Store squeegees, flood bars, tools, and chemicals in designated areas.
• Maintain clear walkways around the press, dryer, darkroom, and reclaim area.

 

Emergency Procedures

• Know the location of emergency stops, electrical disconnects, eyewash stations, fire extinguishers, and exits.
• Stop equipment immediately if an unsafe condition occurs.
• Report all injuries, burns, chemical exposure, equipment damage, spills, and near misses.
• Do not restart equipment until hazards have been corrected.
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End-of-Shift Procedures

• Turn off the press, flash units, exposure equipment, and conveyor dryer according to procedures.
• Confirm heat-producing equipment is shut down and cooling safely.
• Clean ink, adhesive, lint, and debris from work areas.
• Store chemicals, inks, screens, and tools properly.
• Check that waste containers are secured or emptied as needed.
• Leave the production area and darkroom clean for the next shift.