| According to The Materials Handling Handbook, “nearly one fifth of industrial accidents are related to material handling activities”. Lifting and and manual effort are a major contributor to on the job injuries. By using mechanical or automated equipment the amount of injuries and accidents can be reduced. Proper safety measures don’t just save lives, they save money and reduce downtime caused by injuries.
While new equipment is helpful in reducing injuries it can often create a new set of dangers. The guide below outlines some safety features to look for when buying equipment as well as some tips for safely operating it. |
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| Conveyor Safety |
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| Prevent pinch points that exist when belt conveyors are permanently attached to other conveyors. Use connector brackets with safety pop out roller (other stationary equipment will require proper guarding and safety devices.) |
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| Rack System Safety |
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Rack systems should only be assembled by trained personnel who have experience with rack assembly. -Do not used beams with damaged or missing safety locks. |
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| Lift Tables and Tilters Safety |
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Make sure lift tables and tilters are equipped with beveled or electric toe guards. Never exceed rated load capacities. Use accordion skirting as it covers internal components and prevents pinching and damage to the table itself. A velocity fuse will prevent lifts from falling if a hose becomes severed.
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| Misc. |
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| Matting can prevent slips and falls in the workplace while reducing worker fatigue.
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| Visit www.materialflow.com for a huge selection of material handling equipment.or call 1-800-338-1382 for expert customer service. |
February 1, 2008 at 1:59 pm |
That is very well written article, contains a lot of useful information. In a lot of instances an aluminium loading ramp will also be very helpful in materials handling.