Open belt conveyors contain rotating parts such as idlers, drive shafts, and pulleys that pose entanglement hazards and inward running pinch points. Should a worker’s body get pulled into the equipment during maintenance or cleaning activities the worker can become trapped between the belt and the equipment causing severe injury.
To prevent conveyor related injuries:
Ensure that inward running points at tail pulleys, idlers, v-belts are properly guarded.
Use designated crossover platforms to eliminate the temptation to step on belts to cross to the other side. Never step or walk on belts!
Equip open belt conveyors with safety equipment such as emergency stop cords or e-stop devices that are labeled and visible along the conveyor. If the conveyor is equipped with emergency stop cords make sure to test them regularly.
Lock and tag out equipment when exposed to moving belts, pinch points, and entrapment hazards during routine cleaning and maintenance activities.
Operate conveyors within their design capacity. Exceeding these limits can lead to equipment failure and spillage. The resulting clean-up activities can expose workers to equipment hazards.
Ensure that
areas adjacent to open belt conveyors are free of debris, tools, and material that can cause workers to slip or fall into the conveyor’s hazard zones.
Avoid wearing loose clothing, such as hooded sweatshirts with draw strings, or other wearable equipment, such as fall protection lanyards, which can be pulled into rotating equipment.
Perform a hazard analysis prior to working on or near open belt conveyors. Identify the steps of the job, the hazards
involved, and the appropriate efforts to eliminate, reduce, or control hazards.
