| Every workplace has an accident waiting to happen. | | | | respect they deserve. Do not overload the conveyor |
| If that workplace has heavy machinery operating, | | | | or use it for anything but the job it is intended for. |
| the danger of injury accidents occurring is even | | | | Only authorized employees should be allowed to run |
| greater. Factories are after all, manned by humans, | | | | the system at all times. Before the system is turned |
| who are not infallible. Mistakes will be made and | | | | on, ensure that safety guards and protectors have |
| oversights will occur. Whether it is an accident or | | | | not been tampered with and any obstructions |
| careless action, the result of a failure to pay | | | | removed. Conveyors are complicated powerful pieces |
| attention in the workplace can be dire. Workplaces | | | | of machinery, so alertness is always required. Now |
| where conveyor machinery is present provide one of | | | | we will look at some of the more hazardous facets |
| the most dangerous environments for those who | | | | of the modern marvel of machinery. |
| work on them or around them. According to the U.S. | | | | Conveyors are exposed pieces of machinery that |
| Department of Labor Statistics, over fifty deaths per | | | | have a lot of points of concern. Some of the most |
| year result due to conveyor negligence or | | | | hazardous sections include the power transmission, |
| malfunction. | | | | the guard joints and transfer mechanisms. Other |
| Although conveyors can be great efficiency boosters | | | | dangerous portions are called "squeeze" or "nip" |
| and cost saving mechanisms, when implemented | | | | points. These refer to any junction where moving |
| improperly they at times can do more harm then | | | | parts meet, causing breaks or changes in the system |
| good. As workers compensation claims become more | | | | while setting up opportunities for things to get caught |
| burdensome and insurance costs unfold at steeper | | | | or stuck. Some of the more troublesome areas are |
| rates, it is now more important then ever to take | | | | anywhere things can spill, jam, pinch or shear. Dead |
| workplace safety seriously. By looking at some of | | | | spaces, as well as blind spots, can also be cause for |
| the common safety rules and reviewing the more | | | | concern. |
| dangerous parts of the conveyor we might be able | | | | Be aware and be cautious are simple rules but some |
| to establish a better fundamental understanding of | | | | of the most crucial dictums of any safety policy |
| how to cut down on workplace mishaps. | | | | when working around conveyor systems. Train |
| In light of conveyor safety rules, the old adage, rules | | | | employees to mark with signage any piece of the |
| are made to be broken, doesn't apply. First rule is to | | | | conveyor that could cause potential harm and |
| never perform routine maintenance tasks or repairs | | | | separate the area with some kind of guard or barrier. |
| while the machinery is plugged in. And when you do | | | | No matter how you use your conveyor machinery, |
| service and repair your machinery, hire experts in the | | | | you must make every possible effort to protect |
| field, this is not the place for trainees. Another hard | | | | your workers, particularly those that work with |
| and fast rule is to place all objects out of range of | | | | maintenance of the belts, drives and processes. |
| any moving parts. Such things as hair, baggy clothing | | | | If you ever see any misconduct at the work place it |
| and jewelry must be kept away from machinery to | | | | is wise to report the violations immediately to a |
| avoid anyone getting tangled up in the works. | | | | supervisor. Although it may feel like telling on |
| Conveyors are not toys and should not be ridden, | | | | someone or cause a rift in a relationship, nothing is |
| sat on, or leaned against. Treat them with the | | | | worth the risk of losing life or limb. |