Overhead conveyor systems are extremely useful for any warehouse, as they increase your efficiency and productivity. However, overhead conveyors require that you follow the proper care and industrial health and safety training for your employees. That’s because there are added risks with overhead conveyors that everyone should learn about. While occupational safety is something all industries are aware of, conveyor belt and conveyor system safety has some unique qualities that are worth being aware of. Here are the important safety tips for overhead conveyor systems that everyone should follow.
Falling Debris
Although overhead conveyors are generally safe, there’s always a chance that materials can fall off an open system. This falling debris can strike anyone below the system and cause dome injuries. Investing in protective headgear and training or installing a totally enclosed belt conveyor system will help keep everyone safe.
Safety Guards
Anytime you’re starting up your conveyor systems, you should always run a quick inspection and ensure that all the safety features are on. Things like guard rails or machine covers can help keep employees safe from the most dangerous parts of the conveyor system.
Avoid While Active
One thing that everyone should do is avoid the moving parts of a conveyor system while it’s on; this rule is true for all conveyor systems. However, avoiding a regular conveyor system is a bit easier, as the overhead conveyors are above people and not in their direct line of sight. Marking the area where employees should be cautious and ensuring that the conveyors give enough room for safety is important.
Prevent Snags
Another tip that you should enforce among employees is that they wear nothing that’s capable of snagging on conveyors. The moving parts of conveyors can easily catch on any loose clothing or jewelry. If something does snag, it can directly lead to major injuries and even death. Even long hair can snag in conveyor systems and be extremely dangerous.
These are a few of the important safety tips for overhead conveyor systems that you should follow in your facilities. Properly following these tips will help keep your employees safe and healthy. One last tip you should consider is running frequent inspections on your conveyor systems for any damage before it becomes a safety hazard. As the experts say, preventative maintenance is better than fixing something that’s broken.