ASME B20.1-2024 Safety Standard for Conveyors and Related Equipment

The ASME B20.1-2024 Safety Standard for Conveyors and Related Equipment applies to the design, construction, installation, maintenance, inspection, and operation of conveyors and conveying systems in relation to hazards. The conveyors may be of the bulk material, package, or unit handling types where the installation is designed for permanent, temporary, or portable operation. This Standard shall apply, with the exceptions noted below, to all conveyor installations. This Standard specifically excludes any conveyor designed for, installed for, or used primarily for the movement of human beings. This Standard does, however, apply to certain conveying devices that incorporate within their supporting structure workstations or operator’s stations specifically designed for authorized operating personnel.

Key aspects:

• Scope and Application
  Covers all types of conveyors, including belt conveyors, roller conveyors, bucket elevators, chain conveyors, and their related equipment used in general industry.
  
• Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment
  Emphasizes identifying potential hazards like pinch points, moving parts, and entanglement risks, and implementing controls to reduce injury.
  
• Design and Construction Requirements
  Specifies safety features such as guards, emergency stop devices, warning signs, and safe access points to prevent accidents.
  
• Installation and Maintenance Safety
  Guidelines for safe installation, regular inspection, maintenance, and repair procedures to minimize risks during upkeep.
  
• Operational Safety Controls
  Includes requirements for start-up warnings, lockout/tagout procedures, and control system safeguards to protect operators and maintenance staff.
  
• Training and Procedures
  Mandates proper training of personnel on conveyor operation, hazard awareness, and emergency response protocols.
  
• Signage and Warning Systems
  Specifies the use of visible and audible alarms, labels, and signs to alert workers of potential dangers.
  
• Testing and Inspection
  Procedures for periodic inspection and testing to ensure all safety devices and controls function correctly over time.

Highlights:

• The 2024 edition includes the latest technological advances and lessons learned from field incidents to improve overall safety.

About ASME

The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) is a nonprofit professional organization founded in 1880 in the United States. It is dedicated to promoting the art, science, and practice of multidisciplinary engineering and allied sciences. ASME develops and publishes consensus-based codes and standards, many of which are globally recognized and widely used in mechanical engineering, energy systems, manufacturing, piping, pressure vessels, and more.

Other Works:

• ASME B30.3-2019
• ASME B30.10-Hooks, 2024