Warehousing Insights | Material Handling Systems - Part 12
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Walking-Working Surfaces and Personal Fall Protection

August 4, 2022
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rooftop edge with railing

Rooftop safety is an often overlooked area for any facility when it comes to keeping workers protected. In the past, there was minimal equipment designed for this purpose and limited education/training.

OSHA issued a recent ruling on walking/working surfaces, which stressed the need for fall protection for those surfaces  (29 CFR 1910 Subparts D&I). This may be significant for a number of operations and the way you protect people who work in these areas. Particularly if you have a rooftop edge or other potentially unguarded platform where people may work, there are steps you should take.

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Posted in Safety & Ergonomics|

When To Replace Pallet Rack

July 21, 2022
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View of warehouse pallet rack used for storage

As a long-term investment, pallet racks tend to “go the distance”; you can count on them to retain their strength and integrity for years.

Even so, replacing your pallet rack might be a matter of damage (over time or suddenly) or from other reasons such as age or changes in your storage operation. Let’s review the reasons you might want to partially or fully replace your rack.

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Posted in Pallet & Warehouse Racks|

Gapping Conveyors: A Guide to Types and Applications

July 12, 2022
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Gapper Conveyor line in a distribution center

Conveyors that create gaps between loads—called “gappers”—are used in functions ranging from sortation to quality control to packing to machine integration. Any process that requires identical and predictable gaps between the back of a load and the leading edge of the following will probably need a gapper. Most gappers are slider bed belt conveyors, since belts provide superior control and support.

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Posted in Conveyor Optimization|

Automated Palletizing Options: Finding a Happy Medium

July 7, 2022
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cobot system with pallet
Robotics in distribution operations aren’t exactly the stuff of the Jetsons; you see them every day. Because end-of-line palletizing involves so much repetitive motion, it’s a prime target for automation. It fits the profile of easily-profiled, repeatable and low-value labor tasks. It’s also back-breaking and un-ergonomic. How do you know if a robotic palletizing option makes sense? And what type of automation fits you?

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Posted in Automation, Labor & Efficiency|

AGVs Implementation And Pathway Considerations

June 28, 2022
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agv navigating a pathway

Automated Guided Vehicles are no longer an anomaly when it comes to adding productivity and efficiency to operations. As robotics of many varieties infiltrate facilities and work alongside human counterparts, adoption is becoming commonplace.

With this new embrace of automation, and specifically AGVs, comes new considerations within your warehouse. Daily interactions lead to new precautions to protect workers and your new equipment from damage. One area that must be addressed is your floors and aisles, for they will see a new age of comings and goings.

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Posted in Automation, Labor & Efficiency|

How to Reduce Conveyor Headaches, Repair Costs and Downtime

June 16, 2022
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conveyor service

We spoke with Eric Dodd, who manages Cisco-Eagle’s Field Services Group. Eric’s expertise when it comes to conveyors – and how to keep them running tip-top – is unparalleled. Eric and the Field Services group maintains many miles of conveyors from virtually every manufacturer, in just about every environment. Here’s what he had to say.

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Posted in Conveyor Optimization|

Pallet Rack Evaluation: Storage Density

June 9, 2022
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Walking in the warehouse to evaluate a pallet rack layout.

Space utilization has always been important, but in today’s environment of tight real estate, materials and labor, it’s critical to efficiently use every last inch of your space. Industrial space is in high demand, so finding ways to squeeze more from your pallet rack system is more important than ever. Is underutilized square footage is hiding in your rack system?

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Posted in Pallet & Warehouse Racks|

The Ergonomics of Automation

June 2, 2022
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Worker at a distribution center reaching over a conveyor to retrieve a package.

Above: distribution center worker stretches over a conveyor line to access a package. Automation can reduce or eliminate this type of stressful, repetitive motion. 

Companies tend to focus on the hard-dollar ROI when they evaluate automation—labor reduction, throughput improvements, error reduction and efficiency—but should also consider “soft” benefits like ergonomics, safety and flexibility. Ergonomics in particular should be considered a primary factor in an era of aging labor and tight supply.

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Posted in Automation, Labor & Efficiency|

Built To Spill: Containment Options For Any Facility

May 26, 2022
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Spill from containers in facility storage area

Safety is multifaceted, from ceiling to floor and everything between. Operational safety processes boost your overall productivity and bottom line. Some kinds of safety are more apparent and easier to visualize than others; things like forklift safety or machine guarding. One safety concern that should always be addressed, but might be overlooked, is spill containment.

Spill prevention and containment are important to protect workers and the environment around your facility. No one wants the hassle, potentially deadly injuries, or costly aftermath that comes with chemical spills in a warehouse, factory or processing facility. With that in mind, what are good options to help keep chemicals contained?

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Posted in Safety & Ergonomics|

Applications for Urethane Sleeved Conveyor Rollers

May 17, 2022
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Roller conveyor incline with urethane sleeved rollers in an ecommerce distribution center

Above: urethane rollers used on an incline distribution application.

Roller conveyors are galvanized steel, and are sleeved in urethane for specific applications. These rollers can be used almost anywhere and are often specified for food & beverage, printing, automotive and medical/pharmaceutical operations. When should your conveyor utilize urethane rollers?

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Posted in Conveyor Optimization|

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