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Introduction
Given the number of conveyor-related injuries that
occur during routine maintenance and cleanup,
every bulk material handler has a vested interest in
technologies to help reduce hazards and prevent
injuries. Seemingly mundane tasks, such as adjusting
belt cleaners and removing spillage, often require
employees to work in close proximity to the moving
conveyor, where even incidental contact can result in
serious injury.
Spillage can also contribute to the risk of fire by
interfering with pulleys and idlers and by providing
potential fuel. In confined spaces, airborne particles
can create the right ingredients for an explosion.
The buildup of fugitive material can occur with
surprising speed. As Table 1 illustrates, spillage in an
amount equal to just one sugar packet (about
4 g/hour) will result in an accumulation of around
700 g by the end of a week. If the rate of escape is
4 g/min., the accumulation will be more than
45 kg/ week, or more than 2 tpy.
Alan Highton and
Todd Swinderman,
Martin Engineering,
discuss
effective belt cleaning and
the advantages of maintaining
consistant blade pressure.