A young worker was assisting a mechanic to
align a running conveyor belt at a fast food restaurant.
This task required that the belt be operated intermittently,
while small adjustments were completed. The young worker
walked into the area under the belt where the lighting was
poor and his movement was restricted. He put his hand on
the moving belt, which pulled his arm into the nip point
between the belt and adjustment roller. The mechanic removed
the adjustment roller to free the young worker's fractured
arm.
An investigation into this accident determined that the location under the conveyor belt was not safeguarded and that
safe work practices for repairing the conveyor were not provided.
Safe work practices:
- Ensure that workers are provided with
written safe work procedures when it is
not practicable to shut down equipment
for maintenance.
- Ensure that workers have the
instruction and training to complete
work safely.
- Safeguard access to hazardous
machinery.
- Provide adequate lighting
in areas where repairs
are done.
- Ensure workers are
properly supervised
at all times.
