Belt drives

SUBJECT OUTCOME
4.2  Explain correct safety procedures and care when working with v-belt drives
 

Worksite health and safety practices when working with v-belt drives.

The aim of the OHS Act is to provide for the safety and health of persons at work and in connection with the use of plant and machinery. It further provides for the protection of people other than people at work from hazards arising out of or in connection with the activities from people at work.

Belt drive as in the case with any revolving machinery present considerable safety hazards.  This is applicable not only in the maintenance of belt drives, but also during the normal operation of belt drives.  The following are some of the safety hazards applicable to belt drives:

Normal operation of belt drives:

  • Becoming trap in a belt drive between pulleys and belt. 
  • Contact with moving belts causing friction burns and cuts
  • Broken belts causing injuries and damage to equipment
  • No guards can lead to injury

Maintenance and repairs of belt drives:

  • Drives under tension when doing maintenance can lead to serious injury
  • Not doing an electrical insulation (lock out procedure) can lead to serious injury if machines are accidently start during maintenance
  • Not doing a mechanical restrain on drive during maintenance can cause unintentional movement of machinery that can cause severe injuries and damage
  • Not authorised to do maintenance can lead to injuries
  • Not properly trained to do belt maintenance can lead to injury
  • Not using correct tools and equipment for doing maintenance can lead to injury
  • Not replacing all guards after maintenance can lead to injury
Good housekeeping with belt drives
  • Clean tools and place back in correct place after doing maintenance on belt  drives
  • Replace special equipment such as a Browning belt tensioner in its proper case for safe storing
  • Clean work are after maintenance
  • Dispose of broken belts as per company regulations - (rubber disposal regulations)
  • Ensure proper colour coding of belt guards
Safety precautions to take when working with v-belt drives
 
Serious injuries can occurred when working and doing maintenance on belt drives.  The following safety considerations should be observed to prevent any injuries:
  • Proper PPE should be worn.
  • Do not wear any loose clothing around revolving machinery
  • Do not do any maintenance on belt drive unless you are authorized
  • Do not do any maintenance with out proper lockout (mechanical and electrical) - Videos
  • Replace all guards after maintenance on belt drives
  • Keep hands away fro moving parts
  • Do not wear watches or any jewellery when working on belt drives
  • Long hair should be kept in place with a hairnet
  • Keep area around belt drives clean and free of any obstructions
  • Dispose of broken belts responsible

 

Appropriate personal protective equipment and explain its importance
 

The correct PPE (personal protective clothing and equipment) is dependant on the specific belt repair.  Where is the belt drive, what is the specific environmental conditions where the belt is.  It might be on a stack conveyor with drive at the top.  It might be a belt drive in a dangerous dust area.  You must consider all potential dangers when selection appropriate PPE.
   
Standard PPE:

Full SABS overall. Vinex for high heat areas and acid prove for dangerous chemical areas.

  

SABS safety glasses with side shields.

 

  Leather or other rubber gloves to protect against sharp edges on worn pulleys and friction burns when handling belts.
 

   
Dust mask for dusty areas Safety harness for working on heights

 
Belt drive guards
 

Occupational Health and Safety Act, 1993 Driven Machinery Regulations, 1988

2. Revolving Machinery - Link to act https://www.labourguide.co.za/healthsafety/244-driven-machinery-regulations-1988pdf/file

Unless moving or revolving components of machinery are in such a position or of such construction that they are as safe as they would be if they were securely fenced or guarded, the user shall cause

a. Every shaft, pulley, wheel, gear, sprocket, coupling, collar, clutch, friction drum or similar object to be securely fenced or guarded;
b. Every set screw, key or bolt on revolving shafts, couplings, collars, friction drums, clutches, wheels, pulleys, gears and the like to be countersunk, enclosed or otherwise guarded;
c. Every square projecting shaft or spindle end and every other shaft or spindle end which projects for more than a quarter of its diameter to be guarded by a cap or shroud;
d. every driving belt, rope or chain to be guarded; and
e. The underside of every overhead driving belt, rope or chain above passages or workplaces to be so guarded as to prevent a broken belt, rope or chain from falling and so injuring persons: Provided that the provisions of this paragraph shall not apply where in the opinion of an inspector no danger exists in the case of light belts due to the nature thereof and the speed of operation.
 
The following design features must be included for belt drives: - Additional info link https://conveyorguarding.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Vbelt-Guard.pdf
  • Must completely enclose drive, no area open that can cause contact with moving shaft, pulley or belt
  • Should have diamond mesh grills for ventilation and easy visual inspection
  • It should be easy to remove and refit for doing maintenance on belt drive
  • Guard must be strong to prevent flying debits from broken belts.
  • Should protect belt from environmental contamination such as dust, chemicals and water.
  • Belt drive guards should be painted - normally yellow for easy identification and to prevent corrosion
  • Can be provided with inspection panel to check belt tension without removing guard

 
 
Clean work area when belt drive maintenance have been completed

It is important that good housekeeping is applied when working with belt drives.  After maintenance is done the following should be observed:

  • Clean area of all maintenance material such as rags, packaging
  • Cover fasteners with copper grease to prevent corrosion
  • Tools must be cleaned and returned to toolbox
  • Special tools should be returned to stores
  • Dispose of worn and broken belts as per company regulation to prevent pollution
  • Worn pulley can be recycled