Custom Vertical Belt Guard Solution for a Southeastern Power Plant

Industry: Power Generation
Location: Southeastern United States
Distributor: Southeast Pump Specialist, Inc.
Challenge: Heavy and difficult-to-remove vertical belt guard hindering maintenance access
Product: Custom Vertical Belt Guard with Center-Split Z-1 Shaft Configuration

The Problem

At a coal-fired power plant in the Southeastern U.S., maintenance crews faced a recurring issue: a large, corroded vertical belt guard that was extremely heavy and difficult to remove during routine maintenance. The original metal guard (see before photo) required multiple workers and extra time just to access the belts, creating safety concerns and maintenance delays.

The Solution

The plant partnered with Southeast Pump Specialist, Inc. to design a better alternative. The result was a custom Uniguard vertical belt guard that featured a center-split Z-1 shaft configuration, allowing the guard to open easily for fast access. The new design also included an integrated lifting handle and side-width inspection windows, making it easier to inspect the belts without full removal of the guard.

Fabricated from nonmetallic, corrosion-resistant material, the custom guard is not only OSHA/ANSI compliant but also much lighter and easier to handle than its predecessor.

The Result

The upgraded guard design significantly improved maintenance efficiency and worker safety. Routine inspections are now faster and safer, and plant personnel can access the belt area without struggling with a bulky, rusted metal enclosure.

Before and After

This project highlights the value of thoughtful, custom-engineered solutions in improving workplace safety and operational efficiency. Through collaboration with Southeast Pump Specialist, Inc. and Uniguard Machine Guards, the power plant resolved a longstanding maintenance challenge while achieving greater OSHA compliance and ease of access for their team.

Uniguard Made in the USA | Meets or Exceeds OSHA Requirements

About UNIGUARD™

Uniguard Machine Guards manufactures machine guarding solutions, including vertical and horizontal belt machine guards, machine guards with clear polycarbonate inspection windows, OSHA-compliant polyethylene guards, nonmetallic adjustable-width machine guards, and ANSI/OSHA-compliant nonmetallic pump guards.