Candidate Support Pack - Scottish Qualifications Authority

Tumble-dry items
Introduction
The principle of tumble-drying is quite simple. Fabric items are placed in a perforated
drum within the tumbler and warm air is then drawn into the drum and circulated through
the fabric. The hot airflow evaporates water from the work in the drum and, as the air
increases in humidity, it is sucked out of the dryer and discharged to the atmosphere
through filters. These filters retain lint, dust and other debris.
Health and safety
The tumble-dryer is fitted with a door interlock to prevent the opening of dryer doors
while the case is rotating, which could lead to arm and shoulder injuries.
Tumble-dryers are machines designed to remove moisture from fabric. This removal can
be total for fully dried work or partial for conditioned work, which will then be finished and
fully dried on another machine.
The high temperatures reached in tumble-dryers and the availability of fabrics that may
burn could lead to fires starting if precautions are not taken.
Hot, dry fabric should not be left in tumble-dryers or barrows, or the build up of heat in the
centre of the load could result in spontaneous combustion and then fire.
Particular care should be taken with fabrics such as engineers’ overalls and oven cloths
that could have been soiled with oil, grease or other combustible substances, because
these might not have been washed out. They are a greater fire risk.
The cool-down stage of the drying process should be used to reduce the risk of fires
starting. Unloading the tumble-dryer by hand should be a safe operation as internal metal
surfaces and metal zips and press-studs will not be too hot to handle.
Cleanliness is important in the drying department to prevent the build of lint in or around
the tumble-dryers.
All the hot metal surfaces on the outside of the dryer such as steam pipes and air trunking
should be insulated to prevent operative contact and burns.
Regular, planned preventative maintenance should be carried out to support the tumbledryer
operator’s health and safety, and any faults reported should be repaired as soon as
possible.
GC8N 22 — Laundry Operations Level 2 6.3