Philadelphia Products Liability Lawyer Discusses the Dangers of Unguarded Conveyors

By Peter M. Patton, Esq.

Although devices to guard conveyors have been known for literally decades, unguarded conveyors continue to injure or even kill workers.  This month the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced citations for a Newark New Jersey business operating under the names of T. Viore Demolition, Inc. and T. Viore Recycling Corp. A worker at T. Viore died on December 30, 2011 after he was caught in an unguarded moving conveyor belt.

Unguarded moving conveyors remain a source of many injuries and the Philadelphia products liability lawyers of Galfand Berger have handled many cases against conveyor manufacturers.  As an example, conveyor systems continue to be designed with in-running nip points between conveyor belts.  One worker represented by our products liability attorneys sustained a degloving injury where skin and muscles were literally torn from the worker’s arm.

Roller conveyors are also a source of injury if moving parts such as gears and pulleys are not guarded.   The means to guard gears and pulleys have been known since the early 1900’s. Despite knowledge of the hazards, manufacturers continue to ignore the need to provide conveyors that are safe for use.

As a worker, you have a right to a safe conveyor.  If you, a family member or a friend is injured while using the conveyor, contact the Philadelphia products liability lawyers at Galfand Berger, LLP at 1-800-222-8792 or contact us online.  We can help!