Conveyors systems can make moving goods throughout a warehouse extremely fast and easy. They can also be very safe to operate and work with, when used properly.
Conveyor systems promote warehouse safety in a variety of ways. With carton conveyors, for example, handling injuries can be reduced simply because there’s less handling of goods. Warehouse workers only get to get cartons onto a conveyor then let the conveyor do the work. With this, a carton conveyor also reduces the needs for pedestrian workers to travel throughout the warehouse, reducing the need for pedestrians and forklifts to interact.
In relation to forklifts, pallet conveyors can also help increase warehouse safety. Like with carton conveyors, pallet conveyors reduce the need for forklifts to travel as far, reducing the likelihood of accidents happening.
But conveyor systems aren’t without their risks, and it’s important to not get complacent around them.
Conveyor System Safety Hazards
As convenient as they can be, conveyors still have safety hazards.
One main risk that comes from conveyors is that they’re full of moving and rotating parts. These parts can lead to a variety of injuries including pinching, cutting, crushing, and worse. This can easily happen through simple human error, so it’s best to be vigilant around conveyors.
Beyond mistakes, preventable accidents can also happen. Conveyors can grab loose clothing, hair, or body parts, causing injury. Because of this, warehouse safety systems need to be in place that prohibit these preventable accidents from happening. It’s simple, but it works to ensure everyone’s safety.
Another risk with conveyor systems, and anything that moves, is risks associated with electrics. Electrics can malfunction, cause electric shock, cause fires, and more. Once again, these things are preventable with properly maintained equipment.
How To Prevent Conveyor Related Safety Hazards
Preventing injury and safety hazards is all about preparation.
Conveyors come equipped with safety guards to prevent injury, and even still, it’s important that PPE like gloves and safety goggles are important when working on or near a conveyor system. This is an important basic step for conveyors that will prevent a number of injuries.
Beyond PPE and guards, it’s also important to regularly have conveyor systems serviced. This will prevent malfunctions that can cause injury as well as prevent problems with electrics.
The final failsafe for conveyors is to ensure there is an emergency shutoff system and that any emergency shutoff buttons are easily accessible. Even with all other precautions in place, accidents still happen, and if they do, it’s extremely important that the conveyor system is shut off as quickly as possible in order to minimise further injury.
Safety Should Always Be A Priority In The Workplace
Whether it’s conveyors or another systems throughout the workplace, safety always needs to be the number one priority in the workplace. Safety isn’t just about preventing accidents though, it’s about being aware of risks and finding ways to mitigate those risks.
Conveyor systems can be great tools in a warehouse, and they can go a long way to decrease safety problems overall, but they also introduce their own risks as well. By being aware of these risks, and putting some strategies in place, conveyors can operate without incident.
