When can guarding be removed from belt heads?

When can guarding be removed from belt heads?

• A. After maintenance is completed and the belt head is properly locked out
• B. After a safety inspection
• C. When power has been removed from the belt head and it has been tagged and locked out from the power source
• D. Never; guarding should stay in place

Answer: (C)

Guarding is there to prevent contact with moving belt parts, so it should only come off when the belt head is fully isolated from energy. The safe moment to remove it is after all power to the belt head has been removed and the energy source has been locked out and tagged out. This lockout/tagout at the power source ensures no one can re-energize the belt while you’re working, making it safe to access the components. Once the maintenance is done and you’ve confirmed the area is safe, you can replace the guarding and remove the lockout/tagout in the proper sequence. Guarding must stay in place whenever the equipment could start unexpectedly or still be energized.

Guarding is there to prevent contact with moving belt parts, so it should only come off when the belt head is fully isolated from energy. The safe moment to remove it is after all power to the belt head has been removed and the energy source has been locked out and tagged out. This lockout/tagout at the power source ensures no one can re-energize the belt while you’re working, making it safe to access the components. Once the maintenance is done and you’ve confirmed the area is safe, you can replace the guarding and remove the lockout/tagout in the proper sequence. Guarding must stay in place whenever the equipment could start unexpectedly or still be energized.