Conveyor systems are used in many industrial facilities. Here are two ways that fitting conveyor guarding around a conveyor belt can help to prevent this type of system from causing accidents and injuries.

It can prevent dangerous materials from falling off the belt

Conveyor systems are used to transport materials around an industrial facility. Oftentimes, the materials that travel along a conveyor belt are either extremely heavy or hazardous.

If a conveyor system does not have conveyor guarding fitted around its perimeters, there is a risk that the objects travelling on its belt could fall off and strike nearby employees. If the object that tumbles off the belt and hits an employee is small but heavy, it could leave them with a fracture or a head wound. If it is both large and heavy, it could crush them.

If the object is a container that is filled with some type of hazardous, abrasive chemical, it could burst open after being flung off the belt, in which case its contents could end up spilling over nearby staff members. In this situation, the affected individuals could be burned by the spilt chemical.

The presence of conveyor guarding around a conveyor belt can act a barrier which will prevent potentially-dangerous materials from striking and injuring employees.

It can prevent people's clothing and limbs from getting caught on the moving belt

The conveyor belts in most industrial facilities move at high speeds. If an employee gets too close to a fast-moving, unguarded conveyor belt, there is a strong chance that their hair, arms, sleeves or jewellery will get trapped inside the belt. If this should happen, they could sustain severe limb injuries or life-threatening wounds.

Fitting conveyor guarding around a conveyor belt completely almost completely eliminates the possibility of this type of accident occurring, as it physically prevents employees from coming into direct contact with the moving parts of the conveyor system.

Some industrial manufacturers are hesitant to install conveyor guarding because they need their employees to inspect the condition of the objects that travel along the facility's conveyor belts and do not want any barriers that might obstruct the workers' view of these items.

In this situation, conveyor guarding should still be used. However, the manufacturer should purchase a mesh or transparent variety of guarding, as this will provide their employees with a clear view of the objects on the belt, whilst still ensuring that they do not end up getting dangerously close to the moving conveyor.

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