WAC 296-56-60089   Conveyors.  (1) Guards.

     (a) Danger zones at or adjacent to conveyors shall be guarded to protect employees.

     (b) An elevated walkway with guardrail or equivalent means of protection shall be provided where employees cross over moving conveyors. Suitable guarding shall be provided when employees pass under moving conveyors.

     (2) Moving parts. Conveyor rollers and wheels shall be secured in position.

     (3) Positioning. Gravity conveyor sections shall be firmly placed and secured to prevent them from falling.

     (4) Braking.

     (a) When necessary for safe operation, provisions shall be made for braking objects at the delivery end of the conveyor.

     (b) Conveyors using electrically released brakes shall be constructed so that the brakes cannot be released until power is applied, and the brakes are automatically engaged if the power fails or the operating control is returned to the "stop" position.

     (5) Stability. Portable conveyors shall be stable within their operating ranges. When used at variable fixed levels, the unit shall be secured at the operating level.

     (6) Emergency stop devices. Readily accessible stop controls shall be provided for use in an emergency whenever employees are required to walk or work in the vicinity of the conveyor. The emergency stop device shall be available within easy reach from any position on or adjacent to the conveyor.

     (7) Starting powered conveyors. Powered conveyors shall not be started until all employees are clear of the conveyor or have been warned that the conveyor is about to start.

     (8) Loading and unloading. The area around conveyor loading and unloading points shall be kept clear of obstructions during conveyor operations.

     (9) Lockout/tagout.

     (a) Conveyors shall be stopped and their power sources locked out and tagged out during maintenance, repair, and servicing, unless power is necessary for testing.

     (b) The starting device shall be locked out and tagged out in the stop position before an attempt is made to remove the cause of a jam or overload of the conveying medium, unless it is necessary to have the power on to remove the jam.

     (10) Chutes, gravity conveyors and rollers.

     (a) Chutes used in the manual handling of cargo shall be adequate for the use to which they are put and shall be kept free of splinters and sharp edges.

     (b) Chutes shall be equipped with sideboards of sufficient height to prevent cargo from falling off.

     (c) Chutes and gravity roller sections shall be firmly placed or secured to prevent displacement.

     (d) Gravity rollers shall be of sufficient strength for the weight of material which is placed upon them. Rollers shall be locked in position to prevent them from falling or jumping out of the frame.

     (e) Frames shall be kept free of burrs and sharp edges.

     (f) When necessary, provision shall be made for braking objects at the delivery end of the roller or chute.

     (11) Safe practices.

     (a) Only designated persons shall operate, repair or service powered conveyors.

     (b) The employer shall direct employees to stay off operating conveyors.

     (c) Conveyors shall be operated only with all overload devices, guards and safety devices in place and functional.



[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.040 and 49.17.050. 86-03-064 (Order 86-02), § 296-56-60089, filed 1/17/86; 85-10-004 (Order 85-09), § 296-56-60089, filed 4/19/85; 85-01-022 (Order 84-24), § 296-56-60089, filed 12/11/84.]