The word “ergonomics” comes from two Greek words “ergon,” meaning work, and “nomos” meaning “laws.” Today, however, the word is used to describe the science of “designing the job to fit the worker, not forcing the worker to fit the job.” Ergonomics covers all aspects of a job, from the physical stresses it places on joints, muscles, nerves, tendons, bones and the like, to environmental factors which can affect hearing, vision, and general comfort and health. Of course, packaging should protect the product from harm but it also should protect people from the harm that the product could inflict. This safety issue is a concern of ergonomics.
Many packaging operations require employees to stand in a single location and perform repetitive movements all day and some require heavy lifting or awkward postures to get the final product into its proper packaging. At Hughes, we help to streamline processes and create automated and ergonomic packaging solutions designed to prevent safety concerns such as repetitive motion injuries. A repetitive motion injury is an injury to a part of the body that is caused by performing the same motion over and over again thereby straining the body part. Simple adjustments in your daily tasks performed in the packaging of your goods could prevent workers from suffering from Repetitive Motion Injuries.
When it comes to implementing ergonomic solutions in your packaging operations, consider these tips:
• Provide adjustable ergonomic stands at every work station.
• Install non-slip application on all stands, stairs and platforms.
• Recognize that hand erecting cartons could indicate a need for a case erector. Case erectors increase the efficiency of case production and have become more ergonomic and risk-free, more or less eliminating the chance of repeated-use injuries.
• Consider the use of case sealers which automatically apply tamper evident security tape to packages, securing the contents while also preventing repetitive use injury due to hand taping.
• And identify that hand wrapping may be an indication of a need for a stretch wrapper, automatic machines that ensure loaded pallets are wrapped as securely as possible.
If you’re a forward-thinking company that is ready to equip your operating lines with ergonomic packaging solutions, turn to the experts at Hughes. Ergonomics plays a valuable part in daily operations, so take the steps to prevent repetitive motion injuries in the distribution center or on the line.
For more information please contact a Hughes Enterprises Packaging Consultant.