3 Ergonomic Issues Forgotten in Distribution Center Design
Applying ergonomics in the workplace is not a new concept. Investing in more ergonomic work areas can increase productivity and decrease lost time giving it a great ROI. This is especially true in a distribution center where weight and repetition is substantially increased and problems easily multiply.
When we think of improving warehouse ergonomics we tend to think of three major concerns. Lifting heavy loads, repetitive motion, and standing for long periods of time.
But there are three other aspects that should also be considered.
1) Walking: While there are hazards with standing in place for long periods, designers have taken great steps forward by providing cushioned standing surfaces and foot rests. However, walking distances is easily ignored.
But you have to put elements of the designs where you have room, right? So how can we make changes for ergonomics? The answer is to use systems that focus on product-to-person technology (goods to man) and decrease distances walked during operation.
In addition, you can add additional conveyor gates that are both easy to lift and operate. This improves entrance and exit distances from individual work areas.
2) Sound: Hundreds of totes and conveyor parts constantly moving increase ear strain, headaches, and picking errors. Have you ever walked through a particularly noisy warehouse while talking, and you realize you are yelling to make yourself heard?
Care needs to be taken when picking new conveyor and totes. Are the totes you are buying sophisticated enough to have noise dampening technology? How well are conveyor components engineered to prevent excess sound?
3) Visualization: Staring at paper printout or labels all day can also increase eye strain and headaches. The addition of Pick-to-Light or Pick-to-Voice can eliminate this totally by eliminating the paper elements.
If you are using workstations with monitors, changing to simple screen layouts that are easier to read and using graphical interface with a touch screen vs. a text interface can also help.
So these are our ideas for improving some overlooked areas in ergonomics, what are yours? Want to learn more about Schaefer's view on click here improving ergonomics in the distribution center or email me at travis.baker@ssi-schaefer.us.
Schaefer Systems International, Inc., the North American subsidiary of the SSI SCHAEFER group of companies, established headquarters in Charlotte, North Carolina, in 1989.
SCHAEFER’s automation integrates to any existing system earning us an international reputation as the global leader in the material-handling industry for returnable packaging, static racking, and highly complex, automated distribution systems. With over 70 years of experience and a 100% commitment to quality behind every SSI Schafer system, we focus on providing our clients with unconventional picking and storage solutions delivering best value