Conveyor Guarding for Worker Protection

Conveyor Safety: Protecting Your Team and Operations

Conveyor systems are undoubtedly a crucial aspect of your operations. You use them to efficiently move materials throughout the facility and ensure that your team quickly progresses through each phase of production processes.

However, conveyors can also cause serious injuries or even death, which is why you must be proactive in preventing hazards. And the best way to do so is by installing conveyor guarding equipment.

On that note, below is a look at some of the most common hazards that you need to be mindful of when planning for safety. We will also explore top conveyor guards and protective equipment that you should consider implementing in your facility.

Common Risks Associated With Conveyors

Before you can effectively implement proper conveyor guarding equipment, you need to be able to identify all of the potential risks facing your team. With that in mind, some of the most common dangers associated with conveyors are as follows:

Pinch Points

Rollers, belts, and other moving components can easily catch clothing, hair, or body parts. Similarly, any areas where two parts of the conveyor come together, such as the junctions between rollers or pulleys, can create pinch points. These spots can trap tools, loose clothing, jewelry, and even workers' fingers and hair.

While you cannot completely block off or enclose the moving parts of conveyors that create these hazards, you can take steps to limit access to them. You can also work to make sure your team members are wearing appropriately fitting clothing and that they secure any hanging jewelry or long hair.

Falling Objects

If materials fall off a conveyor, they can cause crushing injuries to your team members. As such, you'll want to make sure that your team stacks materials and products safely and that they do not overload your conveyor systems.

Slips and Falls

Workers who need access to areas near the conveyor can slip or trip on loose materials or parts of machinery. These types of injuries are of particular concern if you work with slick materials or have cluttered workspaces.

Types of Conveyor Guarding Equipment

There are many different types of conveyor guarding equipment that you can incorporate into your facility. A few of the most popular options include the following:

Fixed Guards

As their name suggests, these types of protective shields are “fixed” (permanently attached) to the conveying system. They do not freely move or adjust and are designed for areas that your team will not need to access. Nevertheless, maintenance personnel can unbolt fixed guards as necessary to repair or service equipment.

Many facilities use fixed guards to block pinch points and reduce the risk of entanglements. Consider where fixed guards would provide the most benefit without encumbering access to your conveyors.

Adjustable Guards

Adjustable guards are more versatile and can be manipulated to allow access for cleaning. If you have to regularly access certain components on your conveyor system, consider covering them with adjustable guards. They provide flexibility while also offering a high level of protection.

Your team must regularly inspect and maintain these guards to ensure they are in good working order. Dirt, grime, and debris can find their way into the mechanisms of these shields and prevent them from snapping or locking into the protective position. Routine upkeep and periodic cleaning will reduce the risk of such malfunctions.

Interlocking Barriers

An interlocking barrier connects to the conveyor's control system. These types of guards include safety shut-off switches. If you remove or raise the barrier, the machine will automatically shut down.

Interlocking guards help prevent accidents during maintenance or when making adjustments to your conveyor system. Consider implementing these types of guards in high-risk areas so that your maintenance team is protected from accidental conveyor activations.

Floor Mounted Barriers

Floor-mounted barriers are some of the most durable types of conveyor guarding equipment. You can use them to prevent forks and products from protruding into equipment or pedestrian walkways. You can mount these barriers in a variety of configurations to align with the unique needs and layout of your conveyor system.

They are available in inside and outside corner options, as well as 45-degree and straight configurations. They are also available in a variety of different lengths and painted in a highly visible safety yellow.

Forklift Wheel Stops

Forklift wheel stops are another exceptional piece of conveyor guarding equipment. Like the barriers detailed above, these heavy-duty wedge devices mount directly to the floor of your facility and are powder-coated in the same high visibility safety yellow.

You can use these wedges to help your forklift operators identify where to stop so that their forks do not damage conveyor equipment or other machinery. They'll also help prevent operators from driving into or on top of machinery and equipment like stretch wrapper turntables.

Safety Nets and Covers

Last but certainly not least are safety nets, which are used to catch falling objects and prevent them from hitting workers below. If your facility has multiple stories and layers of equipment, consider installing safety nets between upper-level conveyors and employee workspaces.

With all of these examples in mind, it's important to understand that you will likely need a combination of different conveyor guarding equipment, as there isn't any one-size-fits-all solution. Using different safety mechanisms to address each area of concern will go the furthest in helping keep your team out of harm's way.

How Conveyor Guarding Equipment Helps Make Your Facility Safer

Your employees deserve a safe and secure work environment. You can give them one by investing in conveyor guarding equipment and taking a proactive approach to accident prevention.

Start by conducting a risk assessment and identifying any particularly dangerous areas in your conveyor system. Determine which types of guards and barriers best align with the needs of your facility, and make sure that these provisions balance the demand for safety with your productivity goals.

By understanding the risks you are facing and choosing the right guarding solutions, you can create a safer workplace where employees can focus on their tasks without constant fear of injury.