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When you drive by construction sites, warehouses or work terminals, you may be aware that employees are utilizing conveyor belts.
Conveyor belts are used to transport bulk materials to places, through moving pieces of equipment. Because the belts can carry heavy materials or large items, it is important that all workers are properly trained on how to use these machines.
Additionally, it is important that employers protect workers by having safety mechanisms in place. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), employers can prevent conveyor belt accidents through the following requirements:
Emergency stop switches should be arranged so that conveyors cannot restart until the actuating stop switch is reset
Screw conveyors should be guarded to prevent employees’ contact with turning flights
Guards should be provided to protect employees working below the conveyors from falling materials
An audible signal should be sounded immediately before starting a belt
Conveyor belt accidents can cause catastrophic worker injuries or even death, especially when heavy items fall off lines. Accidents can also occur when workers assemble or disassemble conveyor belts, so it is important for employers to have safety plans in place when it comes to the transportation of equipment.
Morgan County Workers Injured in Conveyor Belt Accident
We bring up conveyor belt safety because two employees in Morgan County were recently injured while disassembling a conveyor belt at a work site.
The incident occurred in early December when two construction workers were doing tasks around milepost 1 on Ohio 60. The workers were allegedly struck by a belt line as they were attempting to dismantle it.
USA Today did not report which construction company was involved in the incident, saying it was being investigated by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, the Division of Wildlife, Parks and Waterways and Department of Transportation.
The extent of the workers’ injuries was not reported.
Can I Get Workers’ Compensation After a Conveyor Belt Accident?
If you have been injured in a conveyor belt accident, you should talk to a workers’ compensation benefits attorney. Workers’ compensation could help your recovery, especially if you need to go through physical therapy and rehabilitation.
Additionally, if a mechanical flaw involving a conveyor belt caused your accident, you may be able to file a third party lawsuit against its manufacturer. Make sure you investigate this option, especially if you believe that a piece of equipment failed.
Continue to follow our blog for more information about Ohio workplace safety news.
Source: http://www.zanesvilletimesrecorder.com/story/news/local/2015/12/03/workers-injured-conveyor-belt-morgan-county/76712240/