Industrial equipment supplier BMG’s power transmission division has found a solution to avoid dangers during installation and maintenance procedures in the food and beverage sector – an easy-to-operate rotation device from power transmission belts and fluid power products manufacturer Gates that enhances safety for operators.

BMG power transmission division business unit manager Carlo Beukes explains that “BMG takes great care during product selection to ensure we are able to offer customers the latest safety equipment”.

He points out that this equipment is designed to enhance safety on site, optimise productivity, reduce downtime and extend the service life of every system.

“Included in BMG’s extensive range of safety products is our handy Gates Belt Installation and Rotation Device (BIRD) that has been developed to prevent an operator’s fingers and hands from getting caught in pinch points during routine installation and maintenance,” he enthuses.

While the equipment is shut down and locked out, the BIRD device facilitates safe installation and rotational inspection.

According to Beukes, prior to the launch of this safety device, operators would need to pull on the belt or grab the edges of the pulley or sprocket to turn the drive during installation or inspection.

He explains that regardless of the care taken, this procedure is dangerous as a split second can lead to a hand or finger being pulled into a pinch point, causing devastating injuries and costly downtime.

“Apart from focusing on safety, our commitment to customers in all sectors is also to concentrate on return on investment. We encourage our customers to implement a preventative maintenance programme across belt drive systems,” Beukes emphasises.

This advice is particularly directed at business with drives operating under heavy loads, extreme temperatures, high speeds and on critical equipment – to ensure more uptime and production, while extending the service life of equipment and components.

Other Gates products in BMG’s power transmission range are suitable for use by the food and beverage sector including Gates’ premium thermoplastic polyurethane conveyor and drive belts.