Economical considerations for designing conveyor systems with workstations

We all know conveyors are used in industries to transport goods and materials between stages of a process. Using conveyors is a good way to reduce the risks of musculoskeletal injury in tasks or procedures that involve manual handling because conveyors reduce the need for repetitive lifting and carrying.

However, despite their benefits, conveyor workstations can contribute to the development of musculoskeletal disorders (MSD'S) if they are not properly designed with the task and users in mind.

MSD's can develop when workers must use uncomfortable and/or awkward postures for long periods while working, stooping, twisting, reaching are examples of that can lead musculoskeletal injury.

The design of conveyor systems can produce these postures if the belt or rollers are positioned too low or too high for the operator. If the conveyor is too wide, the operator has to reach excessively to pick objects from the belt. If there isn't adequate clearance for feet at floor level, the operator may have to lean forward to work.

Organizational issues

Organizational issues can also influence the incidence and development of MSD'S. The pace of work, opportunities for rest and recovery, and the length of time that the operator performs the task are all important factors to consider when assessing the risk of musculoskeletal injury in a task performed at a conveyor workstation.

Because of this, the physical aspects of the conveyor workstation that are most important when assessing the risk of MSD's are work surface height and reach distance. The working height provides information about the suitability of the work surface height:

• The work surface height is the height of the conveyor belt or roller from floor level.
• Reach distance is the distance in front of and to the side of the body over which the operator has to reach to perform the task.
• The working height is the height at which the hands are normally held to perform work on objects on the conveyor.

Relative size and height

The conveyed product can sometimes differ at stages of a so varying the relative the size of the object these various stages help operators to a comfortable posture within each stage, the conveyor height is considered to be fixed so objects can be transported without disturbance.

This means the work surface height must be set at an appropriate fixed height for the operators according to the size and weight of the material carried on it.

For more information, contact Cisco-Eagle. We can assist you in designing a conveyor-integrated workstation that is more efficient and ergonomic.