I imagine most everyone has used a hand truck. They’re great for moving heavy loads faster and easier than hauling them manually. But what about unloading that hand truck once you get the load where you want it? Can your back handle the last couple of boxes at the bottom of the stack? How are your knees? How’s your upper body strength? Can everyone working in your operation safely and easily lift the load to shelving or a work table?
Tags: carts, hand truck, Lift 'N Buddy, platform, wheels, trucks
Posted in Safety & Ergonomics, Material Handling, Product Ideas| No Comments »
Preventing injury in the workplace isn’t just the right thing to do: It makes smart business sense, too. With 1,000,000 reported back injuries a year, accounting for one quarter of all workers’ compensation claims (according to U.S. Department of Labor statistics), it’s critical for employees to take the proper precautions when transporting materials in the warehouse or distribution center.
Our previous video blog in this series dealt with safety gates & rails to protect employees, inventory, and equipment. Today, we’ll explore the ways in which employees can ensure safety and productivity when transporting materials via carts, trucks & mobile equipment and industrial powered vehicles:
Tags: tuggers, rolling equipment, ergonomics, carts, hand trucks
Posted in Warehousing, Material Handling, Video| No Comments »
The ICWM (Institute of Caster & Wheel Manufacturers) has created a new set of standards for industrial caster manufacture and usage. The standards, which cost $50 as a download from the ICWM’s website. It’s an excellent resource for engineers, designers, fabricators, and caster users.
Tags: carts, casters, industrial casters
Posted in Material Handling, News, Warehousing, Manufacturing| No Comments »
When you are moving items such as cartons, bins, or components through a facility, several methods are available. Most of the time the choice is between non-powered carts & trucks or conveyors, whether power or gravity. (If you’re moving pallets, there are other methods and issues). Generally, conveyors deliver a less manual, safer operation with added efficiency across the board. Products are moved faster and fewer employees are required to accomplish the same tasks. Conveyors minimize fatigue and reduce potential manual lifting injuries. This improved handling has the potential to reduce worker compensation claims and expenses
But when do you make the leap from a manual, cart-driven system to a conveyor transport system?
Tags: lean warehousing, Conveyor, ROI, Automation, warehousing, carts, lean manufacturing
Posted in Material Handling, Conveyor, Space Optimization & Planning, Automation, Docks & Shipping, ROI, Order Picking & Fulfillment, Safety & Ergonomics, Warehousing, Manufacturing| No Comments »
