Conveyors, Housekeeping, and Storage
In this module we'll discuss material handling considerations for handling materials using conveyors, general housekeeping measures to make handling materials less hazardous and general best practices for storing materials.
Working Around Conveyors
When using conveyors, workers may get their hands caught in nip points where the conveyor medium runs near the frame or over support members or rollers. Workers also may be struck by material falling off the conveyor, or they may get caught in the conveyor and drawn into the conveyor path as a result. To prevent or reduce the severity of an injury, employers can use engineering and administrative controls to protect workers.
Engineering controls include:
- Install an emergency button or pull cord designed to stop the conveyor at the employee's work station.
- Install emergency stop cables that extend the entire length of continuously accessible conveyor belts so the cables can be accessed from any location along the conveyor.
- Design the emergency stop switch so it must be reset before the conveyor can be restarted.
- Provide guards where conveyors pass over work areas or aisles to keep employees from being struck by falling material. (If the crossover is low enough for workers to run into it, mark the guard with a warning sign or paint it a bright color to protect employees.)
- Cover screw conveyors completely except at loading and discharging points. (At those points, guards must protect employees against contacting the moving screw. The guards are movable, and they must be interlocked to prevent conveyor movement when the guards are not in place.)
Administrative controls include:
- Ensure appropriate personnel inspect the conveyor and clear the stoppage before restarting a conveyor that has stopped due to an overload.
- Prohibit employees from riding on a materials-handling conveyor.
Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.
4-1. Which of the following is an example of effective engineering controls to prevent injuries while working around conveyors?
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