MHI Solutions Improving Supply Chain Performance
Spanco’s Freestanding Workstation Bridge Crane bolts directly to the facility floor. Freestanding Bridge Crane systems are ideal for facilities with high ceilings, multiple workstations with different ceiling heights or locations with obstructions, such as air ducts, skylights or overhead storage. ALL PHOTOS PROVIDED BY SPANCO
THE MONORAIL MANUFACTURERS Association (MMA) has a rich history that dates to 1933. The independent affiliated trade association of MHI represents producers of patented enclosed‑track underhung cranes and monorail systems. The MMA has seen a great deal of innovation and change over the course of its more than 90‑year history, but safety remains central to the association and its members.
Jeff Brazwell, president and CEO of MHI member Spanco, Inc., serves as the president of the MMA. He shared his thoughts on a variety of safety topics that are top‑of‑mind for MMA members these days. Cranes and lifting devices, he said, can be essential to certain types of environments in material handling. For instance, Brazwell noted that lifting devices can help reduce strain and injury risk when workers regularly handle loads heavier than 45 pounds. While some lifting systems can be expensive, workstation cranes offer a more accessible option for companies seeking to improve worker safety.
“One problem small manufacturers have is the cost of an overhead traveling crane and other lifting equipment is relatively high,” Brazwell said. “But workstation cranes are designed for loads of 250 to 4,000 pounds and are priced well compared with other lifting solutions, so they are more accessible to even small, budget‑conscious companies.”
Most accidents in the MMA field are caused by human error and a lack of training, Brazwell said. Diligent planning and attention to detail and the needs of a specific facility are also critical. “Most work cells have repetitive tasks and the workers should have an enclosed track workstation crane to help them avoid injuries,” he said. “Forklifts are best for aisles, but not ideal for tight areas or work cells.”
Brazwell pointed to some important safety‑related trends that are impacting the MMA field. One is the increased use of collision‑avoidance systems. Another trend is the growing adoption of motorized systems.
“At Spanco, we are seeing more systems being motorized, even though the rolling resistance of our workstation cranes is very low when moved manually,” Brazwell said. “Motorization helps the worker position the load effortlessly.”
A variety of features can improve crane‑operation safety. When Sacar del Centro, a Mexican‑based company that sells and repairs heavy equipment and machinery, implemented a Spanco Gantry Crane in its operations, it equipped the machine with an alarm that alerts nearby workers when the crane is in motion, as well as proximity systems to slow the system when it approaches the end of the operating area.