Log Breakdown, Related Machinery and Facilities » Planers

Planers, also called surfacers, are woodworking machines used to dress and size rough-sawed lumber on one or more sides, planing boards to an even thickness.

Operator Involvement

The operator adjusts the planer for the cut and then feeds stock into the in-feed side of the machine. The surface board is retrieved from the out-running end.

Hazard/Solutions

Infeed to planer feed roll is inadequately guarded.

Contact may occur with the cutter head, belts and pulleys, or other machinery.

  • All cutting heads must be guarded. 1910.265(e)(6)(i)(a) Provide barriers at the loading and unloading ends to keep hands out of point of operation.

A worker manually adjusts tolerances of cutting heads with the machine running.
 
Manually adjusting cutting tolerances of planer
  • Infeed to planer. Note the unguarded pineapple roll and infeed roll.

    Pressure feed rolls and "pineapples" must be guarded. 1910.265(e)(6)(i)(c)

  • Board is fed into planer by pineapple and cylindrical infeed rolls.

    Completely enclose belts and pulleys of line shaft with sheet metal or heavy mesh guards; guards must be used regardless of the location of the line shaft. [29 CFR 1910.219(a)(1)].

  • Exhaust hoods to remove planer shavings from point of operation

    Cover cutting heads with a metal guard or cage. The exhaust system may be integrated with the guard.
    [29 CFR 1910.213(n)(1)].

Hazard/Solution

Planer with labeled parts

Clothing, hair, or hands may be caught by and pulled into, the automatic feed mechanism.

  • Guard feed rolls with a wide metal strip or bar that will allow boards to pass but that will keep the operators' fingers out [29 CFR 1910.213(n)(3)].

Hazard/Solution

Stock may be thrown back at the operator after being caught by the cutter head.

  • Install anti-kickback fingers on the in-feed side across the width of the machine. Stand back once the boards have been put through to avoid injuries from kickback and flying splinters. Do not feed boards of different thickness. Thinner boards will be kicked back.

Hazard/Solution

Work pieces, wood chips, and/or splinters may be thrown by the cutting action.

  • Use a barrier or guardrail when the machine is running.

Hazard/Solution

Noise enclosure for planer

Vibration and noise produced from the machinery may be harmful to the workers.

  • Use an appropriate noise enclosure for the planer. Ensure that the machinery is anchored to, and insulated from, a solid foundation. Use Personal Protective Equipment.