Safety Guidelines and Information

Safety First: Lockout Procedures

• What is it? Before any maintenance, assembly, or repair, ensure that the conveyor system is powered off and properly locked out. This prevents accidental startups, which could cause severe injury or death.
• How to do it: Follow OSHA regulations for proper lockout/tagout (LOTO) procedures. All power sources, including electrical and mechanical, should be disconnected and locked out before working on the system.

Safety Signal Words and Labels

Understanding Safety Signals

Safety signals are used throughout the manual and on the equipment itself to indicate different levels of hazard. Knowing what each signal means will help prevent accidents.

• DANGER: Indicates a hazardous situation that will result in serious injury or death if not avoided.
• WARNING: Indicates a hazardous situation that could result in serious injury or death.
• CAUTION: Indicates a situation that could result in minor or moderate injury.
• NOTICE: Indicates a situation that could result in damage to the equipment but not personal injury.

Example Safety Labels (U.S. and International Versions)

• Crush Hazard: Keep hands clear of moving components. Equipment starts automatically. Lockout before servicing.
• Fall Hazard: Do not stand on the conveyor.
• Burn Hazard: If the conveyor chain catches fire, it burns with a very hot, faint flame. Use the proper extinguishing materials like water or CO₂.

Pro Tip: Replace worn or damaged labels immediately. Contact customer support to order replacement labels (Part number: DS8008 for U.S. versions).

Hazards to Watch For

Span Tech conveyors, like all mechanical systems, present specific hazards. Below are some examples of potential dangers and how to mitigate them:

Pinch Points and Shear Points

• Where it happens: Occurs between moving parts, such as the conveyor chain and the frame.
• Preventive Action: Always keep hands, clothing, and tools away from moving parts. Use guards and safety barriers to prevent accidental contact.

Falling Objects

• Where it happens: Heavy or unstable items can fall from overhead parts of the conveyor system.
• Preventive Action: Install proper shelving, guardrails, or barriers where necessary and regularly check the overhead area for potential falling hazards.

Exposed Drive Components

• Where it happens: These are common at transfer points or drive units.
• Preventive Action: Use appropriate guarding and safety shields to cover all exposed components. Regularly inspect safety guards to ensure they’re secure.

Emergency Procedures

In the event of an emergency, such as a fire or equipment malfunction, follow these steps to ensure safety:

Fire Safety

• Acetal Conveyor Chains: In the event of a fire, the conveyor chain burns with a very hot, nearly invisible blue flame.
• Extinguishing Fire: Use water, foam, CO₂, or dry chemical extinguishers. Do not use alternative extinguishing materials as they may not put out the fire effectively.
• After the Fire: Once the fire is out, do not restart the conveyor system until it has been thoroughly inspected and repaired if necessary.

Emergency Stop Procedures

• Know Your Stops: All personnel working near the conveyor should know the location of emergency stop buttons. These buttons should cut all power to the conveyor immediately.
• Manual Restarts: The system should be restarted manually from the same location where the stop was initiated, ensuring that it’s safe to do so.

Key Safety Practices for Maintenance

• Authorized Personnel Only: Ensure that only trained and authorized personnel conduct repairs and maintenance on control stations or other sensitive areas.
• Loose Clothing: Remove any loose clothing, jewelry, or long hair that could become entangled in moving parts.
• Maintenance Guards: Never remove safety guards unless absolutely necessary for repairs, and replace them immediately after maintenance.
• Pre-Operation Checklist: Before starting or restarting a conveyor, always run through a pre-operation checklist to ensure safety devices, guards, and personnel are ready.

Safety Evaluation Checklist

Quick Tip: Use this checklist before operating or restarting the conveyor system to ensure maximum safety.

1. Are safety guards in place?
2. Are safety labels in good condition?
3. Are emergency stops easily accessible?
4. Is the conveyor chain in good condition, with no broken links?
5. Are all personnel aware of the startup?