Pallet racks expand your ability to store more pallets, less expensively, for longer periods. They allow you to utilize the vertical cube for more efficient, higher-density storage. But at the base of each rack, there are ergonomic hazards, where individuals are picking loads directly from pallets. How can you alleviate these problems?
Almost all warehouses utilize the lower (floor) level for pallet storage. It's very easy to plug a pallet into the bay slot on the floor.
This requires employees to bend at the waist to access palletized loads that may be stacked only a few feet high, which is one of the least ergonomic, most physically stressful positions. Even when these pallets are stored in taller slots, employees must bend at the waist to access product.
This is a significant problem since the heaviest product is usually in the shortest stacks.
Loads in bottom bins will require forward torso bending to reach under the rack, even when the top levels of the stack are at waist height or higher. What can you do to relieve these issues?
Reaching
up is an ergonomic
danger. Employees often reach above shoulder height to access products on
upper rack shelves.
Aside from the dangers of positioning your body beneath a pallet load where other cartons or other pieces may fall, this causes stress to the shoulders and back. Lifts above shoulder height often require awkward hand and wrist postures, which exacerbate the problem.
Double or triple slotting is used to maximize shelving space so the greatest amount of product can fit in the smallest amount of space may increase ergonomic stressors such as bending and elevated reaches, as pickers cannot easily access tightly stored items. Most pallet rack is double-slotted. Workers may be forced to bend at the torso to reach under low racking to access product. This product may be stacked at desirable heights that would not otherwise, if not for racking interference, require workers to bend at the torso. Workers must reach above shoulder height to access materials placed on three-tier racking or to access tall, palletized loads placed on two-tiered shelving. In general bottom and top racking in three tiered systems creates significant access issues.
Product is often removed from the front of pallets first. This leaves the remaining product stacked in the back of pallets, where employees must reach to access and lift product. This creates additional stress on the shoulders and back.
Aisle width may be insufficient for access to faster-moving product. This may create congestion that forces pickers to stop farther from the pick slot and carry product longer distances to the pallet jack. They may be tempted to carry multiple parcels at the same time to save trips.
This article can be found in its original place at the OSHA website.
Pallet racks expand your ability to store more pallets, less expensively, for longer periods. They allow you to utilize the vertical cube for more efficient, higher-density storage. But at the base of each rack, there are ergonomic hazards, where individuals are picking loads directly from pallets. How can you alleviate these problems?
Almost all warehouses utilize the lower (floor) level for pallet storage. It's very easy to plug a pallet into the bay slot on the floor.
This requires employees to bend at the waist to access palletized loads that may be stacked only a few feet high, which is one of the least ergonomic, most physically stressful positions. Even when these pallets are stored in taller slots, employees must bend at the waist to access product.
This is a significant problem since the heaviest product is usually in the shortest stacks.
Loads in bottom bins will require forward torso bending to reach under the rack, even when the top levels of the stack are at waist height or higher. What can you do to relieve these issues?
Reaching
up is an ergonomic
danger. Employees often reach above shoulder height to access products on
upper rack shelves.
Aside from the dangers of positioning your body beneath a pallet load where other cartons or other pieces may fall, this causes stress to the shoulders and back. Lifts above shoulder height often require awkward hand and wrist postures, which exacerbate the problem.
Double or triple slotting is used to maximize shelving space so the greatest amount of product can fit in the smallest amount of space may increase ergonomic stressors such as bending and elevated reaches, as pickers cannot easily access tightly stored items. Most pallet rack is double-slotted. Workers may be forced to bend at the torso to reach under low racking to access product. This product may be stacked at desirable heights that would not otherwise, if not for racking interference, require workers to bend at the torso. Workers must reach above shoulder height to access materials placed on three-tier racking or to access tall, palletized loads placed on two-tiered shelving. In general bottom and top racking in three tiered systems creates significant access issues.
Product is often removed from the front of pallets first. This leaves the remaining product stacked in the back of pallets, where employees must reach to access and lift product. This creates additional stress on the shoulders and back.
Aisle width may be insufficient for access to faster-moving product. This may create congestion that forces pickers to stop farther from the pick slot and carry product longer distances to the pallet jack. They may be tempted to carry multiple parcels at the same time to save trips.
This article can be found in its original place at the OSHA website.
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