The general guidelines OSHA provides are a very good start for companies who operate conveyors, but should only be a starting point. Conveyors are generally safe equipment (and certainly contribute to plant ergonomics vs. manual handling) but must be operated safely and maintained properly to protect workers from a variety of potential injuries. Because conveyors are "slow" to the eye, workers sometimes do not perceive them as a threat, and can be casual in their attitudes about them. Since they are a machine, compliance with safety standards are critical for personnel safety.
General requirements.
Means for stopping the motor or engine shall be provided at the operator's station. Conveyor systems shall be equipped with an audible warning signal to be sounded immediately before starting up the conveyor.
Analysis: See more information on emergency stops
If the operator's station is at a remote point, similar provisions for stopping the motor or engine shall be provided at the motor or engine location.
Emergency stop switches shall be arranged so that the conveyor cannot be started again until the actuating stop switch has been reset to running or "on" position.
Screw conveyors shall be guarded to prevent employee contact with turning flights.
Where a conveyor passes over work areas, aisles, or thoroughfares, suitable guards shall be provided to protect employees required to work below the conveyors.
Analysis: We suggest conveyor safety nets and other safe guards for overhead conveyors, even those with relatively light loads, unless the conveyor is guarded by location.
All crossovers, aisles, and passageways shall be conspicuously marked by suitable signs, as required by Subpart G of this part.
Conveyors shall be locked out or otherwise rendered inoperable, and tagged out with a "Do Not Operate" tag during repairs and when operation is hazardous to employees performing maintenance work.
All conveyors in use shall meet the applicable requirements for design, construction, inspection, testing, maintenance, and operation, as prescribed in the ANSI B20.1-1957, Safety Code for Conveyors, Cableways, and Related Equipment.