Vigilance and protection on conveyor installations

As a general rule, before starting up or gaining access to conveyors, and during verification, repair or compliance operations, it is imperative to check that all guarding and safety devices are in place and locked.

Personnel working on or in the work area must be duly equipped and trained in the operations and hazards inherent in working on the machines concerned.

Interventions in hazardous areas of Belt Conveyors must always be carried out by at least 2 people.

It is essential to ensure that no stone, object or load is unstably balanced on the conveyor, on the edge of the Belt or in the chutes.

Work and interventions at heights exceeding 2 meters must be carried out from gangways fitted with guardrails.

In the absence of a catwalk, the use of a harness and/or aerial work platform complying with current standards is mandatory.

Lubrication and/or inspection of components located in hazardous areas must never be carried out while the conveyor is in operation. All safety precautions must be taken.

In the event of a conveyor stoppage, it is imperative that the control system is designed and built in such a way that all upstream elements stop instantly, thus halting the conveyor's feed.

It is also imperative to ensure that any start-up is preceded by an audible warning signal (cf. Labour Code art.233-84 appendix 1).

Belt maintenance and breakdowns: intervention procedures

When working in hazardous areas, lock out the work area and ensure that upstream and downstream conveyors that could present a risk and/or cause objects to fall are safely shut down (see the user company's internal intervention and lockout procedures). After consignment, dismantle protection devices if necessary and proceed with work. Once the work has been completed, refit the guards and lift the lockout.

Belt Conveyors: fire risk management

Avoid approaching flames or electric arcs. As a general rule, avoid all sources of heat near flammable components (rubber, tires, etc.).