DJ Products, Inc.

En respuesta a la preocupación por lesiones del lugar de trabajo, los planes de Michigan para instituir nuevo apuntar de las regulaciones del estado repetidor-tensionan lesiones del trabajo. Bajo reglas propuestas, requerirían a los patrones ofrecer el entrenamiento ergonómico y trabajar para corregir divulgó lesiones. Los reguladores del estado tendrían la energía de castigar a patrones para lesiones repetidas del trabajador. Se refieren los críticos que las reglas pondrán otra carga financiera en la economía ya de la lucha de Michigan.

California es la única el otro estado con regulaciones similares, a pesar de que repetidor-tensione lesiones del trabajo son estimados por el OSHA para costar a América más de $20 mil millones anualmente, o cerca de una mitad costes de la remuneración de los trabajadores totales los' pagados por los patrones. “Es una edición significativa, aun cuando el estándar es bastante mínimo,” dijo a Doug Kalinowski, director de MIOSHA. “Ha sido muy discutible.”

En 2001, repetidor-tensione las regulaciones de lesión propuestas por los reguladores federales eran estimados para costar a patrones $5 mil millones. Esas regulaciones fueron bloqueadas por Congress. Se refiere la asociación de la pequeña empresa de Michigan que los costes de procedimientos del entrenamiento y de divulgación pondrán una carga significativa en pequeñas empresas y la harán más dura para que compitan nacionalmente. Eximirían a compañías más grandes que tienen programas ergonomía en lugar bajo reglas propuestas.

Los fabricantes se refieren semejantemente. “Es una amplia edición bonita y hay muchos de costes implicados,” demostración conocida del Amy de la asociación de los fabricantes de Michigan. “No sabemos qué costes verdaderos van a ser hasta que sabemos terminante el departamento va a estar en hacer cumplir esto.”

Las reglas propuestas se aplicarían solamente a la industria general. La construcción, la agricultura, la explotación minera y el empleo doméstico se excluyen específicamente. Pero los representantes de la industria y del trabajo de construcción creen que si se adoptan las reglas, será solamente una cuestión de tiempo antes de que se amplíen para incluir la construcción. “Hay muchos dentro de los comercios de edificio, o los cerrajeros, que sufren de lesiones del repetidor-movimiento,” dijeron Guillermo Borch, presidente del Local 25 de los cerrajeros en Saginaw, Michigan y uno de los representantes de trabajo que repasaron las reglas propuestas.

“El problema es que… estos tipos de lesiones no son un peligro inminente [a la vida], aun cuando ellos puede ser tipos del carrera-conclusión de lesiones y causar dolor y el sufrimiento a largo plazo,” Borch dicho. En vista del riesgo a los trabajadores, Borch sentía los estándares mínimos proporcionados las reglas propuestos. “It doesn’t seem like a lot to ask,” he said.

Advocates of the proposed rules argue that the implementation of ergonomics creates a safer work environment, increases productivity, minimizes downtime and decreases workers’ compensation costs — all formidable inducements to embracing ergonomics.

The Material Handling Industry of America (MHIA) has awarded a $50,000 research grant to Ohio State University researchers in Columbus, Ohio. The grant will be used to help fund creation of a research center focused on distribution ergonomics. Provided through MHIA’s College Industry Council on Material Handling Education, the grant represents MHIA’s maiden effort in direct funding of material handling and logistics research.

In their award-winning grant application, Dr Carolyn Sommerich and Dr. Stephen Lavender of OSU proposed:

• To create a research center that develops and devaluates ergonomic methods, tools and processes that will allow distribution center workers to work more safely and efficiently; and
• To develop partnerships between regional distribution centers and material handling equipment manufacturers to assist the distribution centers in becoming workplaces of excellence via the proper utilization of ergonomics and lean engineering.

“MHIA is proud to support this important research which will contribute significantly to the body of knowledge on ways to improve the safety and productivity of warehouses and distribution centers,” said Daniel Quinn, MHIA Vice Chairman for Education Planning & Professional Development. “Going forward MHIA is anxious to support research such as this which will benefit the safety and productivity of factories and warehouses in the United States.”

In making the grant announcement, MHIA voiced a commitment to supporting material handling and facility logistics research and teaching in the future. Increased funding will be available for such research in the 2009-10 academic year. A call for proposals is expected to go out late this year.

DJ Products applauds MHIA’s new initiative. We recognize the importance of ergonomics in the workplace and are dedicated to the design and production of ergonomic material handling solutions. Visit the DJ Products website for more information about ergonomic products that can make your plant or business safer, more efficient and more productive.

For logistics providers competing in a tight economy, process automation is an essential strategy. A MarketInsight study just released by Hubspan, Inc. surveyed more than 200 North American logistics companies with annual revenue between $30 million and $10 billion. Process automation to streamline shared processes, achieve operational efficiency and improve collaboration between customers, carriers and distributors were identified as the most critical challenges facing the logistics industry today.

“The logistics industry recorded strong growth over the past decade due to globalization and an increased demand for imported goods,” said Robert Pease, Vice President of marketing for Hubspan. “However, the industry shifted in early 2008 due to a slowing economy, rising fuel costs and a shortage of qualified personnel. This shift drives the need for logistics companies to apply efficiencies that automate processes and streamline operations to overcome current economic hurdles.”

Incompatible systems and difficulties in integrating systems were cited as the greatest challenge by a majority of survey respondents. “In an industry driven by efficiency, it is surprising that so few logistics providers are able to resolve core integration issues that impact on-time performance, process automation and customer service,” Pease said. “Increasing process automation and system compatibility illustrate two key opportunities for logistics providers looking to outperform the competition and thrive in today’s tough economic environment.”

Utilizing ergonomically designed powered carts and tugs to replace the manual transport of materials and products is one way logistics companies can increase automation and improve production efficiency. With the logistics industry facing a shortage of workers, ergonomic material handling solutions allow each worker to efficiently accomplish a greater workload while dramatically decreasing potential risk of injury. Replacing expensive, high-maintenance, fuel-guzzling forklifts and gas/diesel-powered equipment, with less costly, more maneuverable, electric-powered carts and tugs can result in a considerable savings in high fuel costs. These smaller, more maneuverable carts also provide more versatile solutions to material handling problems. For more information on ergonomic solutions to material handling problems, visit the DJ Products website.