TLMI announces press guard contest

TLMI (Tag & Label Manufacturers Institute) has introduced a narrow web flexographic press guard contest open to all TLMI members and non-members. The contest's objective is to urge industry members to submit designs for a flexo press guard that will assist in injury prevention industry-wide, and to generate new ideas to advance current standards, as well as to tap into designs that may already exist.

Calvin Frost, TLMI health and safety committee chairman, explained: ‘The TLMI health and safety committee identified this as an area that warrants immediate attention. It's not news to anyone in our industry that one of the first things press operators do when a new press arrives on the production floor is to remove the press guards. Operators feel current press guard designs are cumbersome and more of a nuisance than a worthwhile safety feature. However, roller nip points on press are a common injury location in our industry and an issue the TLMI health and safety committee is prioritizing by the announcement of this competition.’

All narrow web press operators are eligible to enter the Press Guard Contest. Deadline for entry is March 5, 2008. The award includes a substantial cash prize along with publicized industry recognition, and will be awarded at Labelexpo Americas in Chicago next September. Entries will be judged based upon their level of protection, regulatory compliance, functionality, translation and uniqueness. Submission guidelines can be found on TLMI's website, www.tlmi.com.