Automation has been a major game-changer in the industry, enabling manufacturers to reduce costs and increase productivity. But with that increased automation comes an increased focus on safety. So how can you ensure the safety of your employees when deploying automation, such as industrial palletizers, in your factory?
Let’s take a closer look at how you can keep your workers safe during this process.
Plan Ahead and Design for Safety
The first step in safely deploying industrial palletizers is to plan ahead and design for safety. Make sure that proper safety measures are taken into account from the very beginning of the process, such as designing the production line with plenty of space, including ergonomic workstations, and providing adequate protective equipment for workers who will be working around the palletizers.
“You have to start with a safety risk assessment that is a full collaboration between the manufacturer and the system integrator,” says Wes Garrett of FANUC America. “Those discussions should start very early in the project phase so both parties are in full agreement that you’ve identified all the risks at hand and that you’ve mitigated all the risks that you need to mitigate.”
Additionally, it’s important to ensure that all safety protocols are being followed at all times to prevent any injuries or accidents from occurring.
Train Your Employees
Another key way to ensure employee safety when deploying industrial palletizers is by training your employees on how to operate the machines safely and properly. This includes teaching them about any potential hazards associated with operating these machines as well as informing them of any emergency protocols they should follow if something goes wrong.
“You’re bringing in operators, sometimes weekly. You don’t have a week to spend in training,” says Garrett. “You’ve got to give them a few hours of safety training and send them out there. So you’ve really got to make sure that someone with minimal safety knowledge is going to be able to go out there and not get hurt.”
Implement Automated Safety Features
Finally, many industrial palletizers come equipped with automated safety features designed to help protect workers from potential hazards while using them. These automated features include sensors that detect motion or obstacles in front of the machine as well as pressure switches that shut down the machine if something goes wrong. Additionally, some machines may also have integrated warning systems or visual indicators that alert workers when there is a potential problem with the machine or its components. By investing in these types of automated safety features, you can help protect your employees and reduce downtime due to accidents or malfunctions.
Safety Should Always Be the Priority
Keeping your employees safe should be one of your top priorities when deploying industrial palletizers in your factory environment. By planning ahead and designing for safety, training your employees on how to use these machines safely and properly, and implementing automated safety features like sensors and pressure switches, you can help reduce accidents and maintain a safe workplace environment for everyone involved. Investing in these steps now will pay off later by helping you create a successful, accident-free manufacturing facility for years to come.