Conveyor Safety Tips for Gravity Rollers

Warehouses, grocery stores, pharmaceutical companies, and many other corporations use conveyor belts for their versatility. For different operational needs, companies use different types of conveyor systems. Of those conveyors, gravity roller conveyors are a popular option. Should your company wish to employ the advantages of a gravity roller conveyor, you must be wary of its hazards. Read on to learn various conveyor safety tips for gravity rollers that will ensure your company can continue to prioritize employee safety.

Do Not Lean on Gravity Rollers

Gravity rollers are designed to transport any items that rest on them, meaning employees should never lean on gravity rollers. A quick rest upon a gravity roller can result in serious injury, as pinch points could catch an employee’s clothing or worse—their limb.

Management Tip: Not only is sitting, standing, or leaning on a gravity roller conveyor dangerous, but it can also hinder the machine’s performance over time. Employees may accidentally push a conveyor component out of place or damage the rollers.

Avoid Pinch Points

Conveyor pinch points are ruthless. They’ll snag, pull, and crush anything they encounter, whether that’s your finger, necklace, or clothing. Though most warehouse managers will keep guards in place to cover pinch points, any oversight by employees may result in injury.

Management Tip: Encourage employees to wear clothes that fit them well and aren’t too baggy. Baggy clothing has a high risk of getting accidentally snagged by gravity rollers. If employees have long hair, ask that they tie it back to avoid it getting pulled by pinch points. Employees should either tuck jewelry into their clothing or place it in a designated storage area.

Ensure That Guards Are in Place and Secure

We want to reiterate the importance of pinch point guards. No matter where the gravity roller’s pinch points are, they should each have a guard. The guard should always remain fastened in place to prevent employees’ extremities from getting caught.

Provide Conveyor Operation Training

One of the most important conveyor safety tips for gravity rollers in the workplace is to enforce thorough operation training. Often, equipment injuries occur because an individual isn’t experienced with the machinery.

Provide high-quality conveyor operation training for all employees when onboarding them. Incorporate routine training throughout the year as a refresher for those who don’t operate the gravity roller conveyor often.