Presenter: Simon Curry

Employment: Project Development Manager at FLEXCO

Current chairman of the Conveyor Manufacturer’s

Association.

Actively involved in the conveyor industry since 1981

covering all aspects in the design, manufacture,
installation, commissioning, operating and forensic
investigation of conveyor systems.
 CONVEYOR MANUFACTURERS
ASSOCIATION
What is the CMA, what does it do to industry?
Focus on safety around belt conveyors!
 OVERVIEW
AIM OF THE ASSOCIATION
BRIEF HISTORY
CODE OF ETHICS

ACTIVITIES
TECHNICAL
EDUCATIONAL
ANNUAL EVENTS
CONFERENCES – BELTCON / SAFECON

SAFETY ISSUES
CMA DOCUMENT – SAFETY AROUND BELT CONVEYORS
CONCERNS ABOUT SANS 971
 AIM OF THE ASSOCIATION

The aim of the Association

is to actively promote the
excellence of belt
conveying in southern
Africa
 BRIEF HISTORY

CMA founded in 1973

Started with 5 member companies

2013 – 73 member companies

All companies are South African based

but

Interest shown from North Africa to join

Keen to develop relationship with alliance partners
Similar efforts with mining houses patron association
 CODE OF ETHICS

 CMA established a code of ethics for the industry

 Signing of the code is a pre-requisite for

membership

 Enforced by the member companies

 ETHICS OF THE ASSOCIATION
A member of the CMA shall not offer:

 payment of any private commissions to client employees

 payment of any client related accommodation, fares and other travel costs,
unless agreed upon prior to the event by senior management of both
parties.
 to use the strength of the Association to challenge increases in the
costs of raw materials and ancillary components
 to pay for holiday or weekend accommodation of any client or client's
employees
 to exchange irregular favours against threats from the employees of a client
 favours or gratuities in return for invitations to tender, award of contracts,
orders or confidential client information
 goods or services which are outside the normal business of the member
company to clients free of charge or at artificially low prices
 ETHICS OF THE ASSOCIATION
Collusion between CMA members and CMA and non-CMA companies will not
be permitted. Arrangements such as Joint Ventures, Consortiums or Alliance
partners are however permitted.

CMA members may not apply negative selling techniques against any other
CMA member company, its products or services.

All published editorials and articles are to be truthful, not misleading and deal
with matters of a current nature.
 TECHNICAL FORUM
NATIONAL STANDARDS THAT THE CMA HAS INFLUENCED:

 Pulley specification (SANS 1669 parts 1 & 2)

 Idler specification (SANS 1313 parts 1 to 3)
 Conveyor tubing specification (SANS 657 part 3)

 Steelcord belting (SANS 1366)

 Ply belting (SANS 1173)
 Solid woven belting (SANS 968)
 Fire resistant properties methods of testing (SANS 971)

 Splicing of ply belts – hot vulcanised SANS 484 part1

 Splicing of ply belts – cold vulcanised SANS 484 part 2
 Splicing of steelcord belts – SANS 485
 Splicing of solid woven belts – SANS 486 (finger splice)
 TECHNICAL FORUM
 Annual SABS review of the all the related standards (TC1049)
 Review the relevant specifications
 Amend the specifications when required
 Introduce new specifications when required
 SANS working group Idlers current activity
 SANS working group Belting current activity

 CMA STANDARDS available at www.cmasa.co.za

 Safety around belt conveyors
 Clamps for belt conveyors
 Geared reducers for conveyors
 Static shaft conveyor pulleys

 CMA/SAIMH JOINT FORUM

 Quarterly technical presentations

 CMA TECHNICAL HANDBOOK

 Currently work in progress
 EDUCATION
CMA CONVEYOR DESIGN DIPLOMA
6 day programme comprising theory, practical, assessments and
culminating in an open book exam (6 CPD credits)

CMA BELT SPLICING REFRESHER COURSE

5 days

CMA BELTSMAN CERTIFICATE COURSE

1 day

CMA OPERATING AND MAINTENANCE CERTIFICATE COURSE

3 days including written exam
 ANNUAL CMA MEMBER EVENTS
ANNUAL GALA DINNER SPECIAL EVENT
Prestigious annual dinner facilitates networking of
industry professionals
Forum for presenting awards – acknowledge inputs from deserving
individuals

ANNUAL GOLF DAY SPECIAL EVENT

Yearly event for promoting interaction with clientele

INDUSTRY INTERACT & AGM WEEKEND

Annual event to confirm compliance with the aims of the CMA
Promote interaction between member companies
 CONFERENCES
 The CMA co-sponsors the biennial
Beltcon conference

 CMA annual Safety Symposium (SAFECON)

 First symposium was held in 2010 with follow ups in
2011, 2012 and SAFECON now planned for 2014.
 SAFECON will alternate with BELTCON.
 CMA – SAFECON

OBJECTIVES OF SAFECON
 ADVISE ALL PARTIES OF THE LEGAL REQUIREMENTS

 ESSENTIALLY INVOLVE OEM COMPANIES AT BASE

LEVEL AND END USERS

 LEARN FROM AND SHARE ALL EXPERIENCES

 JOINT APPROACH TO SAFETY AROUND CONVEYORS

OPEN ISSUES FROM MOST RECENT SAFETY

CONFERENCE

 RUN BACK IDLERS or BELT GRABS (HOLDBACKS)

 DMR ACCEPTANCE OF THE CMA SAFETY SPEC
 CMA – SAFECON

MISSION STATEMENT

PROMOTING THE
SAFETY ASPECTS
IN THE DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION
AND OPERATING OF BELT
CONVEYORS WHILE STRIVING FOR
EXCELLENCE
IN THE FIELD OF BELT CONVEYING
IN SOUTH AFRICA
 CMA – SAFECON

ASPECTS TO BE COVERED

 CURRENT LEGAL REQUIREMENTS

 PRESENT AND EXAMINE CASE STUDIES

 SAFETY STATISTICS

 DESIGNING SAFE CONVEYOR INSTALLATIONS

 CMA – SAFECON

CURRENT LEGAL REQUIREMENTS

CREATING AN INDUSTRY PLATFORM TO INFORM AND

ADVISE ON THE CURRENT LEGAL REQUIREMENTS
PERTAINING TO ALL ASPECTS OF SAFETY AROUND
BELT CONVEYORS

 BIENNIAL REVIEW OF SAFETY LEGISLATION

 REVIEW PROPOSED AMENDMENT(S) TO THE LEGISLATION
 PROPOSE IMPROVEMENTS TO CURRENT LEGISLATION FROM
AN OPERATING AND DESIGN PERSPECTIVE
 ULTIMATELY BECOME SELF REGULATING ON SAFETY ISSUES
 CMA – SAFECON

PRESENT AND EXAMINE CASE STUDIES

PRESENT AND EXAMINE CASE STUDIES OF ACCIDENTS

INVOLVING BELT CONVEYORS WITH THE VIEW OF
INFORMING AND IMPROVING SAFETY AROUND BELT
CONVEYORS

 CASE STUDIES TO BE PRESENTED BY END USERS FOR THE

PURPOSE OF INFORMING ON POSSIBLE DEFICIENCIES IN
DESIGN OR LEGISLATION
 CASE STUDIES TO BE PRESENTED BY DESIGNERS IN THIS
REGARD AS TO HOW DEFICIENCIES CAN BE RESOLVED OR
MITIGATED
 CMA – SAFECON

STATISTICS

REVIEW AND EXAMINE STATISTICS OF ACCIDENTS

INVOLVING BELT CONVEYORS TO IDENTIFY HAZARDS
AND RISKS WHEN OPERATING AND MAINTAINING BELT
CONVEYORS

 REVIEW ALL THE STATISTICAL DATA PERTAINING TO

INCIDENTS DIRECTLY AND INDIRECTLY RELATED TO BELT
CONVEYORS
 EXAMINE STATISTICS WITH THE VIEW OF IDENTIFYING
ACCIDENT TRENDS PERTAINING TO CONVEYORS
 LOCATION OF ACCIDENTS AND OBVIOUS SIMILARITIES

 IDENTIFY HUMAN INTERFACE

 CMA – SAFECON

DESIGNING SAFE CONVEYOR INSTALLATIONS

PURSUE THE INVOLVEMENT OF DESIGNERS TO

NURTURE THE MIND-SET FOR DESIGNING CONVEYOR
INSTALLATIONS WHICH ARE SAFE TO BUILD, OPERATE
AND MAINTAIN

 CONVEYOR DESIGNERS TO PRESENT DESIGNS CONSIDERED

TO BE SAFE FROM AN OPERATING ASPECT
 PRESENT AND DISCUSS STANDARD OPERATING
PROCEDURES FOR CONVEYORS
 PRESENT AND DISCUSS STANDARD CODES OF PRACTICES
BOTH FROM THE DESIGN AND OPERATING PERSPECTIVE OF
BELT CONVEYORS
 CMA – Safety around belt conveyors

CMA - SAFETY AROUND BELT CONVEYORS

THIS DOCUMENT COMPRISES
INTRODUCTION
PURPOSE
SAFETY ISSUES
CONVEYOR SYSTEM PROTECTION
BASICS OF CONVEYOR GUARDING
APPENDIX A – MINE HEALTH AND SAFETY ACT
APPENDIX B – RISK ASSESSMENT FORM
APPENDIX C – AS1755 2000
 CMA – Safety around belt conveyors

INTRODUCTION

Belt conveyors are probably the most efficient means of

transporting bulk materials. However, they are considered
dangerous due to the sheer size of the installation which prevents
clear and unimpeded visibility down the length of the system.
Conveyors can be one of the most hazardous mine or plant
equipment installations if safety regulations are not strictly
followed or if the conveyors are not properly maintained.

The South African Mines Health and Safety Act (Act 4 of 1996.
Section 21) states that the onus is on the supplier to
provide the correct conveyor design taking into consideration
the risk to the health and safety of operating personnel.
 CMA – Safety around belt conveyors

PURPOSE

The purpose of this document is to serve as a minimum

specification for the design of safe operating conditions
and fulfilment of safety requirements for belt conveyors in
accordance with the statutory regulations and Acts
pertaining to machinery, particularly those sections
applicable to conveyors.
 CMA – Safety around belt conveyors

SAFETY ISSUES
3.1 Safety Requirements for Maintenance ........................................... 3
3.2 Stored Energy (Trapped energy) ................................................. 4
3.3 Lock out Systems ........................................................................... 4
3.4 Personnel Training in Safe Working and Operating Procedures .... 4
3.5 Safe Operating Procedures ............................................................ 4
3.6 Basic Check List Prior to Re-starting a Conveyor ........................... 5
 CMA – Safety around belt conveyors

CONVEYOR SYSTEM PROTECTION

4.1 Belt Control ..................................................................................... 5
4.2 Belt Alignment ................................................................................. 7
4.3 Belt Overload .................................................................................. 8
4.4 Belt Slip Protection ......................................................................... 8
4.5 Take-up Over-travel ........................................................................ 9
4.6 Transfer Chute Plug or Blocked Chute ........................................... 9
4.7 Bin Level ........................................................................................ 10
4.8 Pull-cord Stations ........................................................................... 10
4.9 Rip Detectors ................................................................................. 11
4.10 Fire Detection ............................................................................... 12
4.11 Lightning Protection ...................................................................... 12
4.12 Dust Suppression ......................................................................... 12
 CMA – Safety around belt conveyors

BASICS OF CONVEYOR GUARDING

 REACHING UP
 UPPER LIMB REACH DISTANCE WITH FIXED
FENCES
 REACHING AROUND WITH UPPER LIMBS
 REACHING IN AND THROUGH REGULAR OPENINGS
 OPENINGS OF IRREGULAR SHAPE
 LOWER LIMB REACH DISTANCE
 CMA – Safety around belt conveyors

APPENDIX A – MINE HEALTH AND SAFETY ACT

AMENDMENTS TO MINES HEALTH AND SAFETY ACT

GAZETTED ON 23 AUGUST 2013

I SUSAN SHABANGU, Minister of Mineral Resources, under

section 98 (1) of the Mine Health and Safety Act, 1996 (Act
No. 29 of 1996) and after consultation with the Council, hereby
amends Chapter 8 of the Regulations in terms of the Mine
Health and Safety Act, as set out in the Schedule.
SUSAN SHABANGU
MINISTER OF MINERAL RESOURCES
 CMA – Safety around belt conveyors

APPENDIX B – RISK ASSESSMENT FORM

 CMA – Safety around belt conveyors

APPENDIX B – RISK ASSESSMENT FORM

 CMA – Safety around belt conveyors

APPENDIX C – AS1755 2000

REACHING UP UPPER LIMBS REACH DISTANCE REACHING AROUND WITH

WITH FIXED FENCES UPPER LIMBS

REACHING IN AND THROUGH OPENINGS OF IRREGULAR LOWER LIMB REACH

REGULAR OPENINGS SHAPE DISTANCE
 CMA – Related safety issues

OTHER SAFETY ISSUES (SANS 971)

Fire resistant properties methods of testing
 This standard is a critical issue from the industry and CMA
perspective
 Steelcord belting (SANS 1366)
 Ply belting (SANS 1173)
 Solid woven belting (SANS 968)
 Fire resistant properties methods of testing (SANS 971)

 SABS technical working group input complete

 The standard currently needs to be issued by the SABS in

order for it to become official

 Interrelated with the belting suite of specifications

 CMA – SANS 971

Conveyor belting and fire hazard in mining

Mine fires linked to conveyor belts
prompted development of
conveyor belt testing and
specifications

Build up of heat by
friction was, and still is,
the primary cause of fire
4 parameters usually
specified in safety
standards test
 CMA – SANS 971

Conveyor belting and fire hazard in mining

4 parameters usually specified in safety

standards test

• Flame test - resistance to ignition

• Friction test - resistance to heat build up
through friction
• Flame propagation test - resistance to fire
propagation
• Electrical resistance test - resistance to
static discharge
 CMA – SANS 971

Conveyor belting and fire hazard in mining

Country Standard

Australia AS4606 / AS1332

Canada CAN/CSA M422-M87

China MT914

Europe EN12881 EN14973

India IS3181

South Africa SANS 971

USA MSHA
 CMA – SANS 971

Conveyor belting and fire hazard in mining

Region Ignition Friction Propagation Electrical

Australia
Canada
China
Europe
India
South Africa
USA
 CMA – SANS 971

Conveyor belting and fire hazard in mining

Ignition test

Assess how quickly

standard size sample will
self extinguish after being
subjected to standard
flame.
 CMA – SANS 971

Conveyor belting and fire hazard in mining

Friction test - drum friction

Assess for fire, glow

and temperature rise
when subjected to
standard friction
conditions.
 CMA – SANS 971

Conveyor belting and fire hazard in mining

Fire propagation test - ‘full scale gallery’

Assess how much of
the standard sample
has no fire damage
after standard flame
has been applied for
standard time.
 CMA – SANS 971

Conveyor belting and fire hazard in mining

Fire propagation test - Test methods for Europe

• UK high energy test
4m long sample 1000mm width 7.5kg propane burned
for 50 minutes.
Test replaced by ‘equivalent’ mid scale test
• Belgium and France - 2m long sample, standard
energy burner. Still in use for textile reinforced belts.
For steel cord and aramid reinforced conveyor belts
high energy test used where 5.2kg propane burned for
20 minutes.
• Germany - very high energy burning, roadway test
(Brandstrecke test)
 CMA – SANS 971

Conveyor belting and fire hazard in mining

Fire propagation test - ‘full scale gallery’

Assess how much of

the standard sample
has no fire damage
SANS 1366 type F
after standard flame
has been applied for
standard time.

SANS 1366 type M

 CMA – SANS 971

Conveyor belting and fire hazard in mining

New fire testing standard for South Africa
SANS 971:2013
•This new testing standard likely to come into
force in September 2013.
•The same methods of testing will be applied to
all constructions of conveyor belting
•Existing drum friction test, electrical resistance
test and flame ‘initiation’ test to be retained with
minor changes.
•Addition of mid scale fire propagation test
 CMA – SANS 971

Conveyor belting and fire hazard in mining

Mid scale fire propagation test

Designed to achieve the
same results as full scale
test but with reduced
smoke emission to ensure
that the test can be
performed without
negative environmental
impact.
THANK YOU FOR
YOUR ATTENTION

QUESTIONS?
Please refer to the CMA website
www.cmasa.co.za