Domtar Addison Converting

Tim Heerdt, Maintenance Manager

Addison Converting and Distribution center is unique to any other off-site converting site for Domtar because it shares the building with our Regional Replenishment Center. This means additional PIT operators that are not under the

direction of Domtar safety training staff. Gates, barriers, and floor marking have been added over

the years to direct pedestrian traffic away from forklift routes as much as possible but there are still a couple locations where intersections with obstructed views exist. Employee members of the Safety Committee had raised

concerns over 2 high traffic pedestrian/forklift intersections in our plant – particularly those shared with the onsite RRC.

In this case, not “over-engineering” the solution was the best resolution. Luis Santeliz (maintenance foreman) mentioned that he could

connect switches to the pedestrian gates to turn on flashing lights, Mike Gibson (now plant manager) suggested that we could add

flashing LED strips to several locations directly in the line of sight of the forklift drivers.

Keeping it simple:1. Inexpensive LED strip lights purchased from Amazon.com. 2. Luis ran conduit to connect the locations, with a couple junction

boxes to tie everything together and house the timers. 3. Limit switches from our stock inventory were connected to each

gate. The timers were wired so that the lights would flash for 20 seconds after the gate is opened on either side of the intersection.

One of the high traffic intersections – crossed multiple times a day by the RRC PIT Operators.

LED strip off – (gate closed). LED strip on – (gate opened + 20 second shut off delay).

Relay tied into existing pedestrian safety gate.

The results have been dramatic Vanport employees have commented on how effective these

lights are. Prior to this improvement drivers would almost be in the

actual intersection before they noticed persons present. Now as soon as they see the lights flashing they are stopping completely looking for the people in the walkway.

The approximate costs to recreate this system are as follows: $105.00 LED strips from amazon [qty 4 strips 16‘] $200.00 electrical conduit, junction boxes, fittings $100.00 timers $200.00 limit switchesTOTAL: $605.00