Manual material handling involves labor-intensive tasks that sometimes expose workers to risk factors that can eventually lead to lower productivity because of costly injuries and other health concerns. NIOSH reveals that manual material handling contributes to a large percentage of over a million musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) cases reported annually in the US alone.
Fortunately, the injuries are preventable with proactive measures that help reduce risk factors in the workplace. Adequately designed material handling systems that meet ergonomic standards are key to safer and more efficient manual material handling in different industries.
The International Ergonomics Association Executive Council defines Ergonomics as a scientific approach concerned with the interactions of humans with other system elements. It requires applying data, principles, methods, and theory to devise solutions that optimize the overall system performance and human well-being.
The layout of the facility, as well as the material handling system, must be optimized to simplify heavy loads moving and reduce human errors that can occur through repetitive material handling processes. Here are a few tips by experts at Hovair Systems for making manual material handling tasks more ergonomic.
#1- Make Sure the Layout Design is Optimized
Layouts with easily navigable pathways and dictated material handling in-roads reduce traffic during material handling routines. Optimized layouts and features also make it easier for facility owners to adopt diverse techniques for moving heavy loads to deliver services efficiently.
3D CAD and other digital transformation technologies are a great way to ensure an optimized layout. It allows evaluating designs before executing physical implementations, thus ensuring error margins are discovered and resolved early to get optimized outcomes.
#2- Ensure Clear Pathways
Many warehouse owners don’t have ample space or resources to develop dedicated pathways for material handling and material transportation processes. Most facilities operate with material handling systems that are built alongside existing walkways. This can lead to health and safety risks, as material handling equipment and operators can potentially clash.
While it’s recommended that you assign dedicated pathways, if it isn’t possible, try optimizing your material handling schedule and make sure strict regulations are enforced when transporting heavy-duty items. It’s best to limit floor traffic to clear the passage for the materials to reach the assigned destinations quickly and safely.
#3- Solve Worker Complaints
Mental and physical fatigue are common occurrences in manual material handling processes. Even if you have optimized ergonomic processes that cater well to the workers’ abilities, repetitive tasks and daily manual work could take a toll on the health of your employees.
When the weariness becomes cumulative, it will give way to musculoskeletal disorders. Encourage employees to report signs of fatigue and discomfort. Being responsive to their first-hand experiences can help you develop ergonomic processes and control measures that can help prevent weariness before it develops into serious injuries or other health concerns.
#4- Ensure All Workers Use Proper Personal Protective Equipment
Ensuring all employees wear proper personal protective equipment (PPE) at all times, especially when handling heavy loads. It will significantly minimize injury. Basic PPE includes helmets, eye protection, gloves, safety boots, and metatarsal guards to protect from compression or impact.
#5- Train the Team to Use Proper Work Technique and Body Mechanics
Manual material handling tasks, by definition, involve workers handling heavy loads using their bodies. Workers must use proper work techniques and good biomechanics when using their bodies. Otherwise, they can put themselves at a higher risk for MSDs.
Educate the workers regularly and train them to use better body mechanics. Impose strict policies and regularly check whether everyone on the shop floor is using the right measures to reduce the risk of MSDs in your workplace.
Well-designed work readiness programs with stretching techniques are also an excellent way to ensure workplace athletes remain in good shape and physically ready to move heavy loads safely and efficiently.
#6- Schedule Regular Material Handling Equipment Maintenance
Designate experts for regular maintenance of the exiting heavy loads handling systems. This not reduces repair costs but also signals when existing equipment needs an upgrade. Continuous maintenance and repairs alongside the changes of your heavy loads and material are vital for obtaining your goal of making manual material handling ergonomic.
#7- Upgrade Your Heavy Loads Moving Equipment
Choosing the right material handling tools or getting customized equipment is a great way to make the process faster, safer, and more efficient when seeking to build an ergonomic workplace.
You can speak to an experienced material handling expert at Hovair Systems to get all the information you need about their extensive range of ready-made and customizable systems for moving systems for heavy loads. They can help you with all the safety and intuitive features needed to simplify the material handling process cost-effectively.
Why Hovair?
Hovair Systems is a material handling equipment provider that understands how crucial heavy machinery lifting equipment is for diverse applications and industries. They offer cutting-edge pneumatic-powered tools to improve your sanitation, workflow, and efficiency. All their pneumatic solutions meet industry regulations and keep both the loads and workers safe and secure.
The company aims to help its clients improve their industrial processes without compromising their financial budget. They offer a range of material handling equipment solutions, so make sure to browse them all to find the type that best suits your facility.
Their experts can assist you with lifting & rigging equipment, durable air bearings, industrial turntable systems, air caster weight management solutions, air pallets, air beams, lift decks, lifting bags, air compressors, rigging equipment, heavy-duty transporters, heavy load management devices, heavy load carriers, automobile turntables, commercial turntables, and many other solutions that are energy efficient and durable.
Email them or call them if you need more information about their extensive range of systems for moving heavy machinery.
