Lack of Lockout Procedures Results In Conveyor Death

An employee with less than two years experience at a quarry and gravel pit was given the responsibility of safety inspector. He was not given any additional training with his new position.

On the day of his death he apparently climbed over some equipment to check the temperature on a bearing. The crew members were in the habit of placing their hands on the bearing to see if it was over-heating. He became entangled between the three foot wide conveyor belt and a large pulley and was killed.

Lack of training for the employees concerning safe operating, as well as emergency response procedures, and basic first aid were evident. The unsafe acts which contributed to his death include: unguarded moving machinery, unsafe access to the equipment, and no lockout procedures for routine maintenance.