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- What should I know when working at or near a conveyor?
- What are some safety tips for working near a gravity conveyor?
- What are some tips when working at a "powered" conveyor?
- What are additional tips when working with other types of conveyors?
- Are there issues, other than safety, I should know about?
What should I know when working at or near a conveyor?
When working near any conveyor:
- Wear hard hat and safety shoes.
- Tie back (and tuck in) long hair.
- Know the location of the emergency "shut-off" devices and how to use them.
- Do not wear loose clothing or jewellery.
- Do not climb on the conveyors.
What are some safety tips for working near a gravity conveyor?
Gravity conveyors include those that have rollers, wheels or chutes where objects move by gravity or momentum only.
Do
- Guard pinch points on rollers and wheels and between the conveyor and receiving table.
- Provide adequate guardrails along sides to prevent the largest and smallest objects to be handled from falling off.
- Provide retarders (friction areas) if heavy objects are conveyed.
- Ensure there are warning devices near the receiving areas if you cannot see the packages moving on the conveyor.
- Ensure draft checks (fire doors) are installed where conveyors pass through fire walls or floors.
What are some tips when working at a "powered" conveyor?
"Powered" or "power" conveyors include belts, live rollers, slats and buckets.
Do
- Position yourself so that you are not hit by objects moving down the conveyor.
- Ensure that you can see the conveyor system when you are at the operating controls.
- Ensure that guards are in place for all moving parts of the drive system and for the conveyor.
- Guard all pinch points between the conveyor system and fixed objects.
- Locate handrails around low level conveyors and areas where conveyors pass through the floor/ceiling.
- Locate emergency stop cut-off switches near the operator and along the length of the conveyor at approximately 30 metres (100 feet) apart (or closer).
- Ground belts on belt conveyors to prevent static buildup.
Do Not
- Do not service the conveyor without following lock-out procedures.
What are additional tips when working with other types of conveyors?
When working with aerial conveyors:
- Make sure that guards are in place to protect people working below from falling objects.
When working with bucket conveyors:
- Make sure that both vertical and horizontal bucket conveyors are totally enclosed.
When working with pneumatic conveyors:
- Familiarize yourself with control devices and release valves to cut off air flow in the event of blockage.
- Shield joints and access points to prevent material from being thrown in the event of gasket failure.
- Ensure that screening is in place at the suction end to prevent large objects from being sucked in.
When working with portable conveyors:
- Use only weatherproof electrical components.
- Make sure power cables are located where they will not be walked on or run over.
- Make sure that sideboards are high enough to prevent large items from falling and smaller items from being thrown by the wind.
- Chock the wheels on trucks and rail cars that are being loaded or emptied by portable conveyors.
- Do not exceed the rated load capacity of the conveyor.
Are there issues, other than safety, I should know about?
Yes. If working at a conveyor or belt, repetitive motions, reaching, and lifting may lead to Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WRMD) especially when movements are done quickly and for a long period of time. The following case studies are available as examples and the information can be applied to a variety of situations:
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Document last updated on October 8, 2004
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