Custom Mounted Belt Guard Solution for Engineered Paper Mill Safety Win: Custom CLGU Dryer Guard Replacement Manufacturing Plant

From Heavy Steel to High-Performance Polyethylene: Dryer Guard Success Story

Industry: Paper Manufacturing
Location: Southeastern United States
Distributor: Southeastern Pump
Challenge: Heavy metal dryer guard that was difficult to handle and slowed maintenance
Product: Custom CLGU Polyethylene Uniguard Dryer Guard

The Problem

At a papermill in the Southeastern U.S., the maintenance team struggled with an old metal dryer guard that was extremely heavy and awkward to remove. Routine inspections required multiple workers, creating ergonomic risks, inefficiencies, and unnecessary downtime.

The size and weight of the guard made access difficult, and the lack of visibility into the equipment added to maintenance challenges.

The Solution

Working with Tencarva Machinery Company, Uniguard designed a custom CLGU polyethylene dryer guard sized at 26.0″ long × 44.0″ wide × 50.0″ high. The upgraded guard delivered a lighter, safer, and far more user-friendly alternative to the original metal assembly.

Key enhancements included:

Lifting handles for safer single-person handling
Inspection windows for quick visual checks
Lightweight polyethylene construction to reduce strain and speed up maintenance

The nonmetallic design meets OSHA and ANSI guarding standards and is built for long-term durability in demanding mill environments.

The Result

The new guard significantly improved maintenance efficiency and safety. Operators can now remove and inspect the guard with ease, reducing downtime and eliminating the risks associated with lifting a heavy metal assembly. The custom CLGU solution delivered better visibility, easier handling, and a more compliant and reliable guarding system.

Closing Statement

This project demonstrates how purpose-built Uniguard solutions can transform everyday maintenance challenges. By partnering with Tencarva Machinery Company and Uniguard Machine Guards, the papermill gained a lighter, safer, and more efficient dryer guard—without disrupting existing operations.

Uniguard Made in the USA | Meets or Exceeds OSHA Requirements

About UNIGUARD™

Uniguard Machine Guards manufactures machine guarding solutions, including vertical and horizontal belt machine guards, machine guards with clear polycarbonate inspection windows, OSHA-compliant polyethylene guards, nonmetallic adjustable-width machine guards, and ANSI/OSHA-compliant nonmetallic pump guards.