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Mine Type:  Surface, Underground, Mills and Plants Category:  Belt Conveyors and Material Handling, Material Handling
Mine Safety and Health Administration
MSHA's Accident Prevention Program
Miner's Tips

"Don't Get Caught
In A Moving Conveyor"

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Think of a moving conveyor as something that could kill you. Serious injuries and death have resulted from items getting caught by a conveyor, and pulling the miner into the pinch point between the roller and the belting. Things you might not even think about get caught. The following are examples that have been mentioned in accident reports: Don't Get Caught In A Moving Conveyor
  • loose-fitting clothing
  • long hair (including beards)
  • jewelry such as chains and watches
  • personal light cords and shoe strings
  • air and water hoses, electric cables and extension cords
  • tools; pry bars, shovels, walking sticks, wrenches, hammers, hoes, brooms.
Here are a few things you can do to avoid these accidents:
  • Avoid wearing clothes like sweat suits and shirts or jackets with hoods. Band the ends of sleeves and pant legs.
  • If you have long hair, 'tuck it or cut it.' Leave jewelry at home or in the change room.
  • Be careful when moving hoses or cable from place to place - stay as far from the conveyor as possible.
  • NEVER EVER ATTEMPT TO CLEAN MATERIAL OFF A MOVING ROLLER
  • Virtually any tool, when it comes into contact with the conveyor will be grabbed and you cannot react fast enough to let go. NEVER POKE AROUND a moving conveyor with any tool.
  • When shoveling, make sure your shovel is not too long that it could get caught in a pinch point between the belting and an idler. Place shoveled material on the moving belt in the direction that would prevent the shovel from being wedged back into you if it contacts the belt.


If you have a tip you would like to pass on, you can e-mail it to
zzMSHA-MinersTips@dol.gov.
If your tip is selected, you will receive credit in this space.


Issued: 05/13/2005
Tag # AP2005- T89671



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