Safety

Attaining the benefits of a more agile supply chain hinges on the ability to see what’s up with all of its moving parts.

Manual, repetitive pick-and-place responsibilities present challenges when it comes to finding solutions that work for all shapes and sizes, weights and dimensions—both for workers and the products.

Since 1933, the Monorail Manufacturers Association (MMA) has been promoting the advantages and safe use of patented and enclosed track underhung crane and monorail systems.

* By Jean Feingold * Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems (AS/RS) combine equipment and controls to handle, store and retrieve materials as needed with precision, accuracy and speed using a defined degree of automation. Systems can range from relatively simple manually controlled systems operating in small storage structures to larger, computer-controlled storage/retrieval systems totally integrated into a manufacturing and distribution ...

Building a Safer Loading Dock * By Jean Feingold * Raw materials, goods and finished products enter and exit manufacturing and warehouse facilities through loading docks. Since materials, transfer and transport vehicles and people are moving around regularly, making loading docks safer is important. The goal is to prevent injury to workers while avoiding damage to products and the building. ...

Hoist Inspection Guidelines Overhead hoists are used in manufacturing and warehousing facilities to lift, lower, handle and move loads. For safe operation, regular hoist inspections are critical. * By Jean Feingold * Overhead hoists are used in manufacturing and warehousing facilities to lift, lower, handle and move loads. For safe operation, regular hoist inspections are critical. Unfortunately, some companies wait ...

Videos Help to Share Safety Story  Recently, the Protective Guarding Manufacturers Association (ProGMA) created two videos: “Pick Module Safety” and “Vertical Reciprocating Conveyor (VRC) Safety.” Both videos have received praise from across the industry. Aaron Conway, president of Mezzanine Safeti-Gates, Inc. and the vice chair of the ProGMA, feels industry professionals should take the time to watch the videos. * ...

How AGV Systems Improve Safety at Material Handling Facilities * By Jean Feingold * An automatic guided vehicle (AGV) system consists of one or more computer controlled wheel-based load carriers. Typically battery powered, these systems operate on plant or warehouse floors or on paved areas outdoors without onboard human operators. Navigating using pre-defined paths, AGVs provide automated material movement, which ...

* By Jean Feingold * In the current tight labor market, facilities are seeking ways to streamline manual material handling (MMH) to increase productivity, reduce turnover and decrease injuries by adding equipment designed to improve ergonomics. To select the right equipment, it is necessary to view tasks holistically, examining the full series of movements needed to get the job done. ...

“Manual material handling (MMH) continues to be the number one reason for workers compensation claims and lost time injuries,” noted Jim Galante, chairman of MHI’s Ergonomic Assist Systems and Equipment (EASE) Industry Group and director of business development for MHI member Southworth Products Corp. “The majority of these claims are lower and upper back related, which are the most expensive ...