A grabby tool

Hello all,

I've been wracking my brains on this subject for a while and perhaps someone out there will know of the perfect tool to solve my problem. Our blender we use for dry blends is 2.5 m / 8 ft long and 0.9 m / 3 ft wide. It is raised up about 15 feet off the ground and we access it with a large mezzanine platform next to it. The issue is that we only access the one side of it (I have attached a gorgeous depiction of the situation using the full extent of my artistic skill...). This is an issue because the lids (three smaller, evenly-sectioned lids) are on the far side, nearly upright but leaning back against a metal crossbeam. To be able to close the lids, my workers need to lean across the blender to reach them and pull the lids towards themselves. I am 6'3" and the reach is awkward for me. The guys are between 5'7 and 5'10" so how they do this normally is beyond me. Maybe I'm just whiny.

ANYWAYS. I want to find some sort of tool they could use to be able to grab the lid and pull it towards them. Due to the machine engineering and positioning, the unavoidable downside is that the lid is going to be falling towards them, which poses the safety hazard of getting bopped if they are at all within the lid's arc. As far as I can tell the only way to avoid that is simply "stay out of the lids closing arc," hence wanting them to have a tool to use. The idea I have is to pull the lid closer so it is easily within reach to grab on to and then close it, instead of having to lean far over the open blender to grab on, pull it closed while being basically under it the whole time. Also not having to lean over the blender reduces a vector for physical contamination (currently controlled by screens over top of blender, PPE/hairnets etc and GMPs with no loose anything in pockets, no buttons on clothes etc).

This post got really elaborate for me wanting to ask if anyone can think of a tool that would be useful to grab a stainless steel lid and pull it towards you. I know it seems silly because you could say "Use any pole-like object" but ideally I want to find something that could pull it towards them in a controlled manner, so it won't fly towards them then slip and slam closed. My brain is picturing one of those grabby sticks with the yellow handle and the red claws that I had as a kid, but bigger. I have also attached an image that demonstrates the idea. However, if there is nothing practical that can do this then I'm thinking we will just make do with a hockey stick. Go Oilers!!!!

Ok, there is a millwright in my house and this would be his response

Call a machine shop (if you don't have a full department on-site), and explain what you are trying to achieve. They should be willing to come and look and measure and create a custom stainless steel tool that can be specifically used for this purpose (being short myself i'm always using some thing to reach something lol) If it is the right tool for the job, no one will get injured and you have a tool that can be properly cleaned/sanitized

Really, these folks enjoy working on things outside of the box and may come up with a solution that you would never have imagined in either it's form or simplicity, it really does sound like a custom job and well worth the $$ it will cost (which in all likely hood won't be a great sum)

Boo Hiss GO LEAFS GO!!!!