With the massive worker compensation costs related to musculoskeletal disorders, finding ways to reduce the risks is imperative. In May, we discussed the impact of work positioning. This time, the focus on the effects of extreme movements and how to counteract the risks.
Workstation Ergonomics: Eliminating Extreme Movements
June 18, 2020
by Scott Stone
Tags: workstations, ergonomics
Posted in Storage, Organization & Workstations|
Shoptalk: Flexible Facility Guarding
June 11, 2020
In this installment of Cisco-Eagle’s Shoptalk series, Steve, who works in our web sales & service group, demonstrates how flexible warehouse guarding products offer an efficient way to protect workers, machinery and products from forklift impacts. Their unique flexibility lets then flex from forklift impacts without permanent damage to the rail, whatever it’s defending and the forklifts themselves.
Tags: Shoptalk
Posted in Safety & Ergonomics|
How to Position Crossovers on Rooftops
June 9, 2020
by Scott Stone
A few years ago, I looked out a Chicago hotel room window at the sub-roof of a skyscraper hotel. A long run of pipes and air ducts cut the roof in half, so that anyone who needed to work on it would have to walk a long way around or climb over. Since there were obvious points of maintenance and other equipment on both sides of the obstructions, I’m guessing that maintenance workers were doing exactly that. They needed a crossover, and a roof top isn’t the easiest place to install one, particularly post-construction.
Tags: Space Optimization
Posted in Safety & Ergonomics|
Download Our Guide To Carton Flow
May 28, 2020
When conducting storage and picking operations the use of carton flow rack not only saves space and makes picking faster, but it also reduces wasted motion. People don’t need to walk as much between pick positions, so they spend more time doing productive work like picking and packing.
There are many options and configurations for carton flow, and to help you navigate those choices, we’ve published a guide to carton flow rack.
Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in Order Picking & Fulfillment|
How to Add Carton Flow to Pallet Racks
May 21, 2020
by Scott Stone
Above: flow storage installed on pallet rack beams in a distribution center
To increase warehouse productivity, reducing the time it takes for people to execute a task is always going to pay off. One way to do that is to concentrate on picking areas so that people are able to get what they need faster and more efficiently. A common gravity flow application is to mount shelves of flow storage on pallet rack so you can mix & match gravity flow and bulk pallet storage in the same structure for both existing and new rack systems.
Whether you’re adding flow storage to an existing rack system or building it from new, this guide should help you get started.
Tags: order fulfillment, picking
Posted in Pallet & Warehouse Racks|
The Effect of Work Position on Picking, Assembly and Shipping
May 14, 2020
by Scott Stone
Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) are a commonly reported source of missed or restricted work in America. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, WMSDs account for over 33% of all worker compensation costs.
Tags: workstations, ergonomics
Posted in Storage, Organization & Workstations|
Shoptalk: Choosing the Right Flexible Conveyor Skatewheel
May 7, 2020
In this installment of Cisco-Eagle’s Shoptalk series, Cameron explains how to select the proper skatewheel for your flexible conveyor. You can use flexible conveyors at docks, shipping areas, packing departments and other places where temporary, mobile conveying is needed. You can extend, retract and roll them to fit into spaces where fixed conveyors aren’t practical.
Tags: Shoptalk
Posted in Conveyor Optimization|
First-In, First-Out Storage Considerations
May 5, 2020
by Scott Stone
Above: a distribution center pallet flow application enforces FIFO picking protocol
In the age of eCommerce, fast shipping and obsolescence, first-in/first-out (FIFO) storage strategies are critical tools. Some products fit the mold (food, perishables, some electronics, medicines and many other retail goods), while other types of inventory are more about storage density and efficiency. The question is, what type of storage strategy works best for you? And what types of storage systems should you use?
Posted in Order Picking & Fulfillment|
Robots and a Safe Environment
March 19, 2020
In this new age of warehouse or facility labor shortage, more and more companies are turning to automation and robotics to help fill in the gap and increase productivity as well. With e-commerce showing no signs of slowing and innovative supply chains being rewarded, you can bet that companies embracing this new dawn are showing better ROI and efficiency.
One aspect of adopting robotic help for your warehouse to review is that of safety. While the overall safe environment you provide to your operations is crucial, when adding robotics or automation to the mix it requires a new set of ideas and priorities to ensure your workers and ‘bots can coexist.
Tags: Safety & Ergonomics, Robotics
Posted in Automation, Labor & Efficiency|
5 Pallet Rack Accessories that Make Your Racks Safer and More Efficient
March 17, 2020
by Scott Stone
How can you turn part of your rack into a different type of storage? What kinds of safety equipment can you install to prevent damage, maintain flue space or eliminate falling items? Let’s take a look at some options.
Posted in Pallet & Warehouse Racks|