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Do we have to put guards on overhead conveyors to keep materials from falling?

RegSenseSafety & HealthConveyorsGeneral Industry SafetyBest ResultsFAQFocus AreaEnglishMachine GuardingUSA

Generally, yes. Here is an excerpt from an OSHA General Duty Clause citation issued to a company, referencing an industry standard, ANSI B20.1:

  • “Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970: The employer did not furnish employment and a place of employment which were free from recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees in that employees were exposed to a potential hazard of being struck by falling objects ... from the conveyor system ... one feasible and acceptable method to correct the hazard would be to: 1) Comply with the ASME Standard titled Safety Standard for Conveyors and Related Equipment, B20-1990, Section 5,9,2(c). Spill guards, pan guards, or equivalent shall be provided if the product may fall off the conveyor and if personnel could be endangered.” [bold added]

Best practice

Conveyors, including belt, chain, live roller, and auger screw conveyors are sources of amputation. OSHA has recognized the value of national consensus standards such as the following in terms of useful guidance for employers attempting to comply with OSHA regulations:

  • ASME B20.1 — Conveyors and Related Equipment, with Interpretations A and B
  • ASME/CEMA 401 — Unit Handling Conveyors - Roller Conveyors - Non-Powered
  • ASME/CEMA 402 — Unit Handling Conveyors - Belt Conveyors
  • ASME/CEMA 403 — Unit Handling Conveyors - Belt Driven Live Roller Conveyors
  • ASME/CEMA 404 — Unit Handling Conveyors - Chain Driven Live Roller Conveyors
  • ASME/CEMA 405 — Packaging Handling Conveyors - Slant Conveyors

OSHA’s enforcement policy provides that a violation may be de minimis if an employer complies with a consensus standard rather than with the regulation in effect at the time of the inspection, and the employer’s action clearly provides equal or greater employee protection. De minimis means there is a violation but no fine.

['Machine Guarding']
['Conveyors']
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