Ergonomic Pallet Lifting and Tilting Solutions for Less Injury and Improved Productivity

The act of adding or removing loads is an ergonomic challenge for the material handler, especially in businesses that deal with lots of pallets. Improper handling of pallets can lead to physical injury and even product damage. Non-ergonomic manual handling triggers aches, strains, and stresses in the back, neck, shoulder, hands, and legs.

An ergonomic approach means a correct way to lift, tilt, push, lower, and maneuver. Companies can benefit from investing in ergonomic-based automated solutions. It will decrease the costs of workers’ compensation associated with workplace injuries, cut down labor dependence, and increase output.

For example, the pallet tipper from TopIndustries handles every kind of product safely and quickly. It is available in a V-shape and equipped with an adaptive centering system. It allows accurate centering of the loads on new pallets.

• The operator transports the load using a forklift or pallet jack.
• The operator just pushes the button and the load tilts to 120° and gets locked with the upper platform as well as is separated from its pallet.
• The lower platform along with the pallets returns to its original position.
• The pallet is switched with a new one via a pallet jack or forklift.
• The lower platform with the new pallet will rise and automatically accommodate the load.
• The upper platform will release the load and the new pallet with the load returns to the ground, ready to forklift and move away.

In this scene, the entire task is performed in an automated manner. The operator works efficiently because there is no need for them to stoop low or reach high to access the load. Thus musculoskeletal stress associated with handling, lifting, and manipulating heavy loads is eliminated.

Improved physical safety

There are multiple technologies and equipment like balancers, rotators, and lift tables that adjust loads to workers’ bodies. Pallet inverters are great for reaching loads placed lower in the pallet or handling repalletizing. The task of restacking is eliminated and the process is quick and more ergonomic.

The workers can handle broken pallets without the need to unload completely and then reload. Some facilities have to transfer one-use pallets to their plastic pallets for compliance reasons. It is achieved quickly with pallet exchangers without the extra burden of unloading and reloading.

Pallet conveyors eliminate transport load from the employee’s shoulder. However, some workers have to add or pick pallets from the progressive assembly line. Ensure that they reach it comfortably and safely without stretching. Pallet conveyors can be equipped with turntables for rotation and easy access with less stress and physical movement.

Ergonomic approach investment to lift, stack, destack, transport, and handle pallets is challenging but the ROI is noticeable and quick. It is an area where enhanced safety supports high productivity. Less stressed workers are fresh and sharp and make few errors while working quickly yet safely. When the task becomes easy, people tend to work fast. When work becomes less taxing physically, there are few errors in the process.

Automated pallet inverters and inline systems from Top Industries can enhance ergonomics because the repetitive and risky tasks are reduced or eliminated. Follow us on Twitter for more details!