Crushing rock produces dust and noise and involves heavy, moving machinery. Serious injuries are preventable when a site has clear rules, proper equipment and trained people. This is a general checklist. It does not replace the law in your country, the manufacturer’s manual or advice from a qualified safety professional.

Know the main hazards

• Dust: crushing rock releases fine dust, which can contain silica. Breathing it over time can cause serious lung disease.
• Noise: crushers and screens are loud enough to damage hearing over time.
• Moving parts: belts, pulleys, flywheels and rollers can catch clothing and limbs.
• Falling and flying material: stone can fall from stockpiles, hoppers and conveyors.
• Vehicles: trucks and loaders in tight spaces with poor visibility.
• Fuel and fire: diesel engines require safe fuel handling and storage.

Personal protective equipment (PPE)

• Hard hat, safety boots and high-visibility clothing
• Safety glasses or goggles
• Hearing protection suited to the noise level
• A properly fitted dust mask or respirator where dust cannot be controlled
• Gloves for handling material

Control dust at the source

PPE is the last line of defence. Reduce dust with water sprays at crusher and transfer points, keep haul roads damp, cover or enclose conveyors where possible, and position workers upwind of the dust.

Guarding and lock-out

• Keep guards fitted on belts, pulleys and drives. Never run the machine with a guard removed.
• Before cleaning, adjusting or clearing a blockage, stop the machine, isolate the power or engine, and apply a lock and tag so nobody can restart it.
• Never reach into the hopper or crushing chamber while the machine could move.

Site layout and traffic

• Mark exclusion zones around the crusher, stockpiles and loading areas.
• Separate pedestrian walkways from vehicle routes and use spotters where visibility is poor.
• Keep stockpiles at stable heights and never undermine them.

Fuel, fire and first aid

Store diesel in approved containers away from ignition sources. Keep fire extinguishers charged and accessible. Have a stocked first aid kit, trained first aiders and a plan for reaching medical help quickly.

Train, supervise, review

Train every worker before they start. Hold short safety talks, record incidents and near misses, and fix the causes. Inspect the machine regularly, following the same habits described in our maintenance routine for block presses.

Know your legal duties

Employers generally have legal responsibilities for workplace safety, licensing and environmental protection. Check the rules that apply to you. For an overview of crusher capabilities, see our crusher article, or contact us with equipment questions.

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• safety
• stone crusher