Safety First: Best Practices for Operating Augers and Conveyors Safely on Your Site
Augers and Conveyors come with their own inherent risks, but by using best practices you can keep your team completely safe.
Firstly, ensure that everyone working onsite has undertaken the proper training, delivered by a professional. This way, everyone knows how to operate the machinery, what to do when things so awry, and how to safely shut down the site. They’ll also be briefed on how to handle potential risks and emergencies, giving you all peace of mind.
Familiarise yourself with the user’s manual before operating the auger or conveyor and keep referring back to it. Keep to the recommended usage and avoid overloading, this will avoid strain on the equipment and keep potential risk of accidents low. If you find yourself with additional questions that aren’t covered the user manual, don’t hesitate to call the manufacturer, or even Rotospiral’s team of experts who would be happy to advise you.
Designate some clear zones and no hand zones. Maintain a safe distance from the augers while they’re running, and make some clearly marked zones to keep everyone safe and prevent accidental contact. Emphasise the importance of keeping hands and body parts away from running machinery, and use other tools or safe methods for clearing blockages.
Regularly maintain your augers and conveyors, and inspect for signs of wear and tear. Address any issues you find as soon as possible to stop them becoming larger problems. Lastly, remember to report any incidents or near misses with your equipment. Log as many details as you can to learn from each incident and improve your safety practices.
With all of these tips, you can create a safety procedure that works for your team and helps to prevent accidents and incidents on your site. Establish a culture of safety and see your site work efficiently without compromising your staff’s welfare.