10 Jul Conveyor Safety

Conveyor Safety

Conveyors move large quantities of materials efficiently while reducing manual material handling. However, moving belts, rollers, pulleys, chains, sprockets, and loads can create serious caught-in, caught-between, entanglement, pinch-point, and struck-by hazards.

Workers must understand conveyor hazards and follow established procedures whenever working on or around conveyor systems.

Conveyor Hazards

Common conveyor hazards include:

• Nip and pinch points between belts, rollers, pulleys, chains, and other moving components.
• Entanglement in moving equipment.
• Falling or shifting materials.
• Unexpected conveyor startup.
• Being struck by suspended or moving materials.
• Reaching into or attempting to clear material from an operating conveyor.
• Slips, trips, and falls around conveyor areas.

Loose clothing, jewelry, gloves, and long hair can become caught in moving conveyor components. Secure long hair and avoid loose clothing or jewelry when working around conveyors.

Machine Guarding

Conveyor components that expose employees to moving parts, nip points, or other mechanical hazards must be properly guarded.

• Keep guards and barriers securely in place.
• Never reach around, over, under, or through a guard.
• Do not remove, bypass, or defeat guards, interlocks, or other safety devices.
• Report missing, damaged, or improperly positioned guards immediately.
• Do not operate equipment until required safeguards are restored.

Guards must be replaced before a conveyor is returned to normal operation following maintenance or repair.

Loading and Unloading

Materials must be placed on conveyors so they remain stable during movement.

• Do not overload the conveyor.
• Keep hands and fingers away from pinch points.
• Do not attempt to reposition unstable material while it is moving through a hazardous area.
• Stay alert when removing materials from a conveyor.
• Keep unnecessary personnel away from loading and discharge points.
• Use tools or mechanical devices when provided rather than placing hands near moving equipment.

Lockout/Tagout

Never clean, repair, adjust, lubricate, service, or clear a jam from a conveyor until hazardous energy has been properly controlled.

Before servicing:

1. Stop the conveyor.
2. Disconnect or isolate all hazardous energy sources.
3. Apply required lockout/tagout devices.
4. Release, restrain, or block stored energy and components that could move.
5. Verify that energy isolation is effective before beginning work.

Only authorized employees may perform lockout/tagout.

Cleaning or maintenance of moving conveyor components should not be performed unless specifically permitted by an established procedure that provides effective protection from all hazards.

Emergency Stops and Startup

Workers should know the location and operation of conveyor emergency-stop devices.

• Keep emergency stops, pull cords, and other stopping devices readily accessible.
• Never bypass or disable an emergency-stop device.
• Before starting or restarting a conveyor, ensure employees are clear of hazardous areas.
• Follow required warning or startup procedures.
• Never restart equipment that has been locked or tagged out until the authorized procedure has been completed.

Overhead Conveyors and Falling Materials

Overhead conveyors can expose employees below to falling or shifting materials.

• Do not work or walk beneath areas where unsecured materials could fall.
• Use guards, screens, catch platforms, or other appropriate protection where falling materials present a hazard.
• Keep materials properly positioned and secured.
• Stay clear of suspended products, hooks, carriers, and other moving components.

Crossing Conveyors

Never climb over, crawl underneath, or step across a conveyor except at an approved crossing point.

Use designated:

• Crossovers.
• Walkways.
• Stairs.
• Platforms or other protected crossings.

Never ride on a conveyor or use it to transport people unless the system was specifically designed and approved for that purpose.

Housekeeping

Keep conveyor areas clean and accessible.

• Remove spilled material and debris promptly.
• Keep aisles and emergency-stop devices unobstructed.
• Maintain adequate lighting.
• Keep tools and materials away from moving components.
• Report damaged equipment, unusual noises, slipping belts, or other abnormal conditions.

Remember

Conveyors are designed to move materials—not people. Keep guards in place, stay clear of moving parts and pinch points, never ride or improperly cross a conveyor, and use lockout/tagout before servicing or clearing jams.