Conveyor Systems
GUARDING
Protecting Life
& Limb
METAL/NONMETAL MINE FATALITY - - On December 21, 1999, a 22-year-old
Laborer with 2 weeks of mining experience was fatally injured when his clothes
became entangled in a self cleaning pulley and he was subsequently pulled into
the moving machine parts. The victim had entered into a confined space area
containing an unguarded self-cleaning pulley that was in operation. Guards had
been provided to protect persons from the moving machine parts, however, the
guards had been removed and were laying on the ground.
Best Practices
>Each work place must be examined at least once on each shift for conditions which
may adversely affect
safety or health
>Prompt action must be initiated to correct hazardous conditions
>Moving machine parts must be guarded to protect persons from contacting them
>Guards must be securely in place while machinery is being operated
>New employees must be indoctrinated in safety rules and safe work procedures
METAL/NONMETAL MINE FATALITY - On August 9, 1999, a 25-year-old
laborer with 4 weeks mining experience was fatally injured at a sand and gravel
operation. The victim was using a hoe to clean material underneath an operating
conveyor belt when he was caught and drawn into the pinch point at a return roller.
Best Practice
•Maintenance should not be performed unless the power is off and machinery
components are blocked against hazardous motion.
•Moving machine parts should be guarded to protect persons from contact that
could cause injury.
METAL/NONMETAL MINE FATALITY - On April 12, 2000, a 38-year-old laborer with 4 years
mining experience was fatally injured at a crushed stone operation. The victim and a co-worker were
making adjustments to a new conveyor installation. The victim was aligning the extended grease lines
for the bend pulley from inside the conveyor frame. He was caught and drawn into the pinch point
when the conveyor was started without his knowledge.
Best Practices
•Maintenance should not be performed unless the power is off and machinery
components are blocked against motion.
•Visible or audible warinings should be provided before conveyor start-up when the
entire length of the conveyor is not visible from the starting switch.
•Mine operators should take measures to assure all personnel are trained in safe
work procedures.
METAL/NONMETAL MINE FATALITY - On April 21, 2000, an 18-year-old plant
operator with 1 year mining experience was fatally injured at a sand and gravel
operation. The victim, who had been operating the plant alone, became entangled in the
unguarded tail pulley of the sand washer conveyor.
Best Practices
•Moving machine parts should be guarded to protect persons from contact that
could cause injury.
•Conveyors should be provided with emergency stop cords along their entire length.
•Mine operators should take measures to assure all personnel are trained in safe
work procedures.
Equipment Guarding
• MSHA’s number one
citation for the past
several years.
• Shafts, sprockets,
pulleys, rotating parts
and pinch points must
be guarded.
• Guards cannot create a
hazard.
Equipment Guarding
• MSHA’s number one
citation for the past
several years.
• Shafts, sprockets,
pulleys, rotating parts
and pinch points must
be guarded.
• Guards cannot create a
hazard.
Why is this a Bad Guard?
Why is this a Better Guard?
Why is this a Bad Guard?
Why is this a Bad Guard?
Why is this a Better Guard?
Man vs. Machine
Man lost.
Man vs. Machine
Man lost again.
Clothes
Man attempted to pick up
some tools from the ground
beneath the drill head when
his clothes became caught
in the rotating rod.
Machine Guarding
• This man lost his
finger when a machine
in a foundry cut it off.
• There was no guard in
place, as required by
law, to keep his finger
out of a point of
contact.
Conveyor safety rules that can
help prevent a tragedy
Don’t attempt to service or repair a conveyor without procedures
for locking out power.
Never walk, ride, sit, or climb on a conveyor not intended for that
purpose.
When working near conveyor, don’t wear loose clothing, jewelry,
or other articles that might catch.
Do not operate any conveyor without thorough training in its use.
Don’t overload conveying equipment.
To avoid slips, be sure all work areas ared clean and grease free.
Keep all body parts away from moving parts of conveyors.
Do not operate any conveyor unless all safety guards, covers, and
maintenance panels are in place.
 “ REMEMBER LET GO ’’
Can you take the
chance?
Remember….
Guarding is the
only way to make
machines TRULY
human friendly.