Conveyor Injuries Can Be Prevented

Conveyors play an important role in the manufacturing industry, helping move products and assisting employees in performing their jobs safely and more efficiently. But unfortunately, like any type of machinery, conveyor systems can be dangerous and injuries can happen quickly if certain precautions are not taken. There have already been six fatalities relating to conveyor accidents this year.

The good news? These types of injuries are preventable.

• Keep loose clothing away from the machine. One of the most common conveyor injuries involves loose clothing being caught in the machine and pulling the employee toward the conveyor. Coach your employees to not wear loose clothing to work. If they forget, have clips and binds available that they can use to pull their clothes back around their body.
• Pay attention to your surroundings while working near the machine. Before you start the conveyor, ensure all personnel are clear of the equipment. It is a good idea to have a warning alarm that goes off when the machine is being started to alert employees.
• Have guards on certain areas of the machine. Make sure all approved covers and guards are in place when the machine is in operation. Guards are often removed because employees feel they obstruct their work. Missing guards can expose moving parts of the conveyor that are extremely dangerous.
• Power down and lock out the equipment when performing maintenance. It is important to wait until the electrical, air, and hydraulic power sources are disconnected and locked out before performing any maintenance on the conveyor. Even if it is a small fix the technician feels confident in, this simple safety rule needs to be followed.

Using these safety tips when working around conveyors can prevent an accident and keep production moving along. For more information on how to work safely around conveyors, see this guide from Acuity.