Pressure on return idler calculation

Guarding of Return Idler Rollers on Conveyors including Conveyors on Mobile Equipment

Idlers are an important component in any conveyor system as they are used to support the conveyor belt and the load carried on the belt. The mass of the return belt is the only load that return idlers are required to support. Return idler rollers only require to be guarded where they are accessible to persons and there is a risk of entanglement from a nip point usually as a result of downward pressure on the roller being applied by the conveyor belt. If a conveyor is floor mounted the return idler rollers are not accessible and do not require guarding, similarly if the return idler rollers are out of reach of persons they do not require guarding.

If you are looking for more details, kindly visit Joyroll.

Although the guidance indicates that nip guards can be used it can be difficult to maintain the maximum 5 millimetre gap between the guard and the conveyor and fixed guards will be necessary to ensure the safety of persons working at or near the idler rollers.

Return Idler Rollers

0.7 &#; 2.5 Metres from the Ground

If the return idler rollers of a conveyor are at a height above 0.7 metres and up to 2.5 metres from the ground they must be
guarded unless there is no risk of people being injured because the belt can yield (leave the idlers) to produce a clearance
of at least 50 mm at the nip point without trapping or crushing.
The guards must be one of the three types described below

Nip Guards for Return Idler Rollers

Nip guards at return idler rollers shall
extend across the width of the belt and
for a minimum of 150 mm from the nip
point.

They shall be closely fitted to follow
the belt line and idler periphery
approaching the nip point, with a
maximum clearance of 5 mm.
1. Direction of belt travel

If you are looking for more details, kindly visit Self Aligning Carrying Idler.

Fixed distance guards for Return Idler Rollers

Fixed distance guards shall be securely
fixed in position using captive type
fastenings and shall only be capable of
being opened or removed with the aid of
a tool.

Fixed enclosing guards

Fixed enclosed guards shall be securely fixed in position
using captive type fastenings and shall only be capable
of being opened or removed with the aid of a tool.

If they are removable, they shall be capable of being removed
and replaced without dismantling any other part. Fixed
enclosing guards shall be designed so that they cannot
remain in the closed position unless they are fastened.

Fixed enclosing guards shall not be designed to have sufficient
space to allow any person to enter and be enclosed inside.

Return Idler Rollers 0.3 to 0.7 Metres from the Ground

Where the return belt is at a height of less than 0.7 m above the floor of the working area fixed guards having the dimensions
shown below can be fitted.

Convex curves