High-volume belt conveyor systems are among the most hazardous pieces of equipment in any bulk handling operation. Maintaining the delicate balance between production demands and efficiency can be a challenge for any internal maintenance team. To control labour costs and improve safety, operators often enter servicing agreements with outside contractors to perform routine maintenance or to retrofit new equipment during a shutdown.
Although outside contractors may be experienced, they often lack the proper training and specific knowledge needed to offer adequate servicing and installation of modern equipment designs. Moreover, this gap in expertise might limit what recommendations to common problems they offer, causing them to default to antiquated equipment or debunked solutions.
This is why it is so crucial for contractors to have ongoing training that ensures they use modern techniques, install the latest equipment and operate to workplace safety best practices.
Addressing serious conveyor issues
As a global leader in belt conveyor accessories and material flow technology, Martin Engineering technicians are often invited to offer solutions to serious conveyor issues. For example, a common complaint from customers is that the belt cleaners currently installed on the belts are ineffective. The perception of the operator is that the product is defective or just plain “garbage”.
Upon inspection, the technicians often find the equipment was simply, (1) not installed properly, (2) not adequately maintained (improper intervals, over-tensioned, etc.) and/or, (3) inappropriately specified to match the application requirements. All these issues can be addressed through proper training.
That’s why Martin Engineering ensures its team of Martin Service Technicians (MSTs) is up to date on the latest techniques and bulk handling technologies by conducting regular, intensive weeklong training sessions. MSTs who have been with the company for a few months to a few decades regularly receive refreshers on their existing knowledge and to learn about new products and practices.
Best practices
From deep mines to large cement plants, the goal of the training is to ensure Martin’s customers experience maximum efficiency and productivity in their bulk handling systems and are provided with the highest standard of service that complies with safe workplace best practices at every step.
“As factory-trained MSTs, it’s not just our experience but also our knowledge that allows us to provide a solution for our customers,” says Blayne Anderton, Martin Service Technician. “For an expert contractor to come in and do the job professionally and safely is one less stress the customer needs to worry about.”
Entering a service contract
A service contract can reduce labour costs and ensure conveyor systems run efficiently. This has proven to reduce unscheduled downtime, improve system safety and lower the cost of operation. To improve project outcomes for every visit, service technicians should:
- ‘Walk the Belt’ to identify safety issues and obstacles to system efficiency.
- Carry the correct certifications to provide the service safely.
- Have the training required to properly complete maintenance and installation tasks.
- Observe workplace safety best practices for every project including lockout/tagout/tryout and assistance-required procedures.
- Possess the knowledge and experience to identify/offer economical solutions.
- Provide a ‘Walk the Belt’ report with photos tracking the project and any recommendations.
“Martin is uniquely positioned because while we’re on the site we’re walking the belts and creating detailed reports with pictures,” Blayne points out. “We offer ongoing knowledgeable support, not just installing our equipment and leaving.”
Training resources
Martin Engineering offers one of the most comprehensive onsite and on-line conveyor training programs in the world. The training textbooks, ’Foundations, The Practical Resource for Cleaner, Safer, More Productive Dust & Material Control’ and ‘Foundations for Conveyor Safety’, written by established industry experts, have become standard in several vocational programmes with 22 000 copies currently in circulation worldwide.
The company also has the largest free online archive of training resources in the ‘Foundations Learning Center’ presented by knowledgeable and engaging trainers using a mix of text, graphics, videos, webinars, online events, and live experts available to answer questions. These free resources have democratized conveyor safety training globally, allowing for refreshers among both internal staff and contractors if questions about conveyor maintenance arise.
