Mine Health and Safety Act, 1996 (Act No. 29 of 1996)

To prevent accidents on conveyors it is vital to take engineering safety measures. It is possible to increase safety in existing installations at a very low cost. This document suggests ways of solving safety problems. Good engineering safety measures and an optimum working environment are not the only factors conducive to combating the high annual casualty rate associated with belt conveyors. One of the principal keys to success is an understanding of the human element.

Even a properly guarded conveyor belt installation is not in itself inherently safe but with adequate training and proper awareness of dangers, an operator may use it with perfect confidence.

Operator training is usually the personal responsibility of the staff member in charge of the correct operation and running of the machinery. Awareness of the fact that familiarity with the machine on his part and an over-estimation of the operators' skills and knowledge does not result in an under-estimation of the amount of instruction and degree of supervision necessary for the safe execution of tasks.

Comprehensive training schemes to ensure that operators have the required knowledge and skills to run the relevant equipment, including compulsory re-training opportunities are essential.