Conveyors help workers in food and agricultural facilities move products efficiently. Like all complex mechanical tools, however, they can cause injury if not used properly. Safety training is essential for employee safety, and these warnings should be a part of your training plan if you own a conveying system.

How to Stay Safe When Working With a Conveyor

1. Don’t Sit, Stand, or Walk on the Conveyor

These machines were not designed to transport people. Conveyors feature pinch points, which can trap loose clothing, jewelry, hair, or limbs, causing serious injury. The best way to avoid pinch points is by not climbing onto or putting your persons onto the conveyor.

Special attention should be paid to clothing and accessories as well. Avoid wearing loose jewelry, tie back long hair, and tuck shirts into pants.

2. Don’t Remove the Safety Guards 

There are many safety devices and controls attached to conveyors that should not be disturbed. Guards are the most common.

These coverings or barricades protect operators from such dangers as gears, chains, or pinch points. When a conveyor fails to move, it might be tempting to remove a guard to attempt a repair yourself, but doing so can put you at risk. Only specially trained staff should remove guards from a conveyor.

3. Don’t Block the Controls

When loading or unloading a conveyor, you might inadvertently block the controls. Be mindful of where the emergency stop control is and make sure you have easy access to it in an emergency. All controls should be easy for you and your coworkers to reach at all times.

Conveyors should also be routinely serviced and tested to make sure they’re in top working condition. Merritt Mechanical-Fabrication of Cairo, GA, builds, services, and repairs conveyors for clients throughout the southeastern United States. For more than 50 years, this family-owned business has worked with farmers to improve their agricultural processes in a variety of ways. Call (229) 377-5586 to schedule a consultation or visit their website to learn more about their services.