Can Material Handling Equipment Increase Safety in a Workplace?

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There's a reason why material handling equipment was invented, and that was to improve the efficiency of the workplace. But with faster production times and quotas to meet, where does safety come into play? Today's modern equipment is designed with safety in mind, to avoid accidents while on the job while at the same time improving efficiency: a double bonus!

Safety Features

There are many pieces of equipment that can be applied to the warehouse setting to improve safety among workers. For example, the versatility presented by self-dumping hoppers helps you do everything from collect and remove garbage to transport goods and recyclables. Many models today have self-balanced technology built right in to prevent toppling. Automated functions, such as Mechanical Release Systems, allow the user to maneuver the heaviest of bins without even getting out of their trucks and forklifts to close lids or return hoppers to their original position. Not only does this reduce the chance of them getting hurt, this also ramps up efficiency. Pull Down Handle Systems allow the user to safely dump loads while at an elevated height using a cable system from the ground. Hydraulic Dumping Systems use a remote controlled dumping frame to operate several collection hoppers in one collection area. They can be placed within a frame for emptying, whereby the fork lift operator picks up with the frame with the hopper in it, dumps the contents and replaces the frame to its original position..

Safety Hazards

Knowing how to properly use the equipment is an integral part of the equation. These include proper work practices, equipment, and controls to help reduce workplace accidents involving the moving, handling, and storing of materials, advises OSHA. Unsafe and improper handling of equipment and material can result in accidents. Adequate and regular training is required in the workplace so that injuries do not result. Regular maintenance on equipment is also a critical factor in staying safe on the job. Improperly running machines, tools and equipment not only slash efficiency rates, they also put workers at risk. Workers also need the right tools and safety equipment to get the job done right, such as helmets, safety glasses, personal lines, steel toed boots and other devices. So, material handling equipment does increase safety in the workplace provided it is used correctly and maintained.

About the Author:

This article is written by Mike Genter, who is associated with Roura Material Handling. Roura Material Handling produces a large variety of self dumping hoppers including durable hoppers, rugged hoppers, ultimate hoppers, behemoth hoppers as well as custom and specialty dumping hoppers for both commercial and industrial use.