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Conveyors make it easy to move materials within a facility, increasing employee productivity and streamlining operations. But accidents can happen, which can lead to injured workers and costly downtime. Here are four safety tips to protect your staff, business, and bottom line.

A Guide to Conveyor Safety

1. Avoid Climbing

These devices are designed to be material movers, not people movers. They contain multiple moving parts and pinch points that can cause injury. The risk of injury grows if a person is sitting, standing, or walking on the device. Staying off conveyors should be one of the first safety lessons your employees learn, and reminder signs should be posted in and around the work area.

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2. Be Mindful of Loose Items

Loose items can get caught in the conveyor, increasing the risk of injury. Employees should remove all jewelry and lanyards, tie back long hair, and wear short-sleeved shirts when using the machine. You may want to institute companywide standards on proper attire for conveyor operation.

3. Provide Comprehensive Training

No employee should use the device without going through in-depth training. They should learn safety precautions, the basics of the machine's operation, the locations of emergency start and stop controls, and the steps to take in an emergency. Workers should also understand what the machine's various sounds and alarms mean and how to respond to them.

4. Designate Points of Contact

Employees should know who to report issues to when they notice a problem with the device. Designate a few people to serve as points of contact and ensure all staffers know how to report a problem. This keeps the chain of command clear so issues can be resolved in a timely manner.

 

When you're in the market for a new conveyor, Merritt Mechanical-Fabrication can help. With more than 50 years of experience, they serve Cairo, GA, and the Southeastern United States. They design and build a variety of agricultural equipment, including conveyors, grain bins and elevators, and unloading pits. Call (229) 377-5586 to request a quote for your project or visit them online to explore their products and services.

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