Where must e-stops be located on a conveyor?

Except for a few of the special industry standards (e.g., those in 1910 Subpart R, such as pulp, paper, and paperboard; bakery equipment; sawmills; and electric power transmission/distribution), OSHA’s general industry standards don’t provide much detail on conveyors. However, OSHA does have a publication called “Safeguarding Equipment and Protecting Workers from Amputations,” which provides the following bulleted points regarding emergency stop devices on conveyors:

• Install emergency stop devices on conveyors where employees work when they cannot otherwise control the movement of the conveyor. This recognized safety feature provides employees with the means to shut off the equipment in the event of a hazardous situation or emergency incident.
• Equip conveyors with interlocking devices that shut them down during an electrical or mechanical overload such as product jam or other stoppage.
• Emergency devices need to be installed so that they cannot be overridden from other locations. When conveyors are arranged in a series, all should automatically stop whenever one stops.
• Equip conveyors with emergency stop controls that require manual resetting before resuming conveyor operation. Install clearly marked, unobstructed emergency stop buttons or pull cords within easy reach of employees.
• Provide continuously accessible conveyor belts with emergency stop cables that extend the entire length of the conveyor belt to allow access to the cable from any point along the belt.
• Ensure that conveyor controls or power sources can accept a lockout/tagout device to allow safe maintenance practices.

Depending on the industry, there could be specific requirements. For example, in OSHA’s pulp, paper, and paperboard mills requirements in 1910.261(c)(15)(iv), OSHA says that “Every belt conveyor shall have an emergency stop cable extending the length of the conveyor so that it may be stopped from any location along the line, or conveniently located stop buttons within 10 feet of each work station, in accordance with American National Standard B20.1 - 1957.”