Ergonomic Solutions

Ergonomic Partners is a turnkey solution provider for material handling applications, backed with over 20 years of material handling experience, repetitive lifting applications, precise product placement, and awkward load handling. We offer ergonomic material handling and work station equipment with custom designed and engineered handling devices and special equipment for your most demanding projects.

Friday, October 26, 2007

Ergonomic Solutions Blog is Now Online

The Ergonomic Solutions blog is now online and ready for blogging.

Cheers,

Ron the webmaster

posted by Ergonomic Partners @ 12:02 PM  

20 Comments:

  • At October 26, 2007 12:05 PM , Anonymous Ron Castle said...

    Visitors to the blog can post comments but the comments must be approved before going online. They can be edited or deleted if inappropriate.

     

  • At October 29, 2007 11:56 AM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    I have a wet environment(water only),and need a mat for workers who will be standing for 8 hour periods--any recommendations?

     

  • At October 29, 2007 12:27 PM , Blogger Ergonomic Partners said...

    Yes, there are a couple of different options I would recommend. You would want to use some sort of surface with holes in it. Something along the lines of a worksafe mat. Please feel free to contact EP for pricing.

     

  • At November 5, 2007 10:13 AM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    We are looking for some help assessing a lifting application. We have been experiencing wrist injuries--does your company do that type of consulting?

     

  • At November 5, 2007 1:33 PM , Blogger Ergonomic Partners said...

    If you are having issues with wrist, it is probably because they are twisting with to heavy of a load. Ergonomic Partners does offer on-site consultations as well as custom ergonomic lift assist to help ease the load of the operator. Please feel free to view the custom tooling at http://www.ergonomicpartners.com/ergonomic-lift-assists-devices.htm

     

  • At November 19, 2007 9:35 AM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    I am looking at the Gorbel G-Force Zero Gravity lifter with an under the hook lift assist for our plant. We currently have many hoists and are trying to check on what standards apply to the Gorbel G-Force. Is it classified as a hoist?

     

  • At November 19, 2007 9:50 AM , Blogger Ergonomic Partners said...

    The Gorbel G-Force Zero Gravity lifter is not classified as a hoist. It actually falls under Robotics Industries Association (RIA) BSR/T15.1, "Personal Safety Requirements for Intelligent Assist Devices". This is under the Underwriters Laboratories as a third party independent evaluation. We would recommend standard procedures as are used for hoists in regard to safety and annual maintenance. You should have your Gorbel Zero Gravity Lift assists checked either by your maintenance department or a factory authorized Gorbel dealer. The frequency depends on the duty cycle of the equipments. Some customers may require weekly or monthly inspection and others may require yearly. As with hoist a daily check should be done to check the upper/lower limits, wire rope condition, etc... You will also want to have a PM on the under the hook lift assist which I assume you are looking at integrating with the G-Force. If you need further information we will be happy to assist however possible.

     

  • At November 19, 2007 10:01 AM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    Thanks for the quick reply on the zero gravity lift standards. I am concerned about the dependability of the Gorbel G-Force. How long has the G-Force been around and what can I expect as far as complete maintenance /overhaul of the unit?

     

  • At November 19, 2007 10:33 AM , Blogger Ergonomic Partners said...

    No Problem. The Gorbel G-Force has been around for over 8 years, but the technology is even older. There are several thousand units in operation and they are very dependable. Gorbel has throughly tested the units and like any piece of equipment it depends on how you use the equipment, operator training and doing PM as required. Also, this will vary based on load weight and application. Parts replacement is done on an as needed basis or when periodic inspection identifies a part needs replacing. The G-Force® has been tested at Gorbel, in a controlled environment, at 75% of lifting capacity, to a 1 million plus cycles without major component failure. Gorbel has made this unit very easy to service as all major components are modular and a maintenance person with minimal training can change out any of the components. Dependability of the ergonomic lift assist typically is very good. It is normally just a changeout of a pneumatic cylinder, hose or fitting.

     

  • At November 19, 2007 1:14 PM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    DOES YOUR COMPANY DO UNDER THE HOOK ERGONOMIC LIFT ASSISTS? I HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH A COMPANY THAT SELLS THE GORBEL G-FORCE BUT THEY DO NOT DO ANY LIFT ASSISTS TO INTEGRATE WITH THE GORBEL G-FORCE. IF NOT DO YOU HAVE ANY ONE WE CAN CONTACT?

     

  • At November 19, 2007 1:27 PM , Blogger Ergonomic Partners said...

    Yes we do--please contact us at sales@ergonomicpartners.com. Also please look under the tab on our website "lift assists lifting devices". We do very simple mechanical lift assist tooling as well as vacuum , magnet, expanding mandrel, grip tools, c-frame grip and slide grip tools. We can come to you site for an on-site demo of the Gorbel G-Force.

     

  • At November 23, 2007 1:27 PM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    Do you have any recommendations on analyzing an ergonomic lifting problem we are having in our plant. I would like to quantify the problem as soem believe it is truly a problem and others think it is our operators just compalining. Any help would be appreciated.
    Thanks John

     

  • At November 26, 2007 8:58 AM , Blogger Ergonomic Partners said...

    John,
    Please visit our website and sign up for our newsletter. Our latest release will have a simple sheet for NIOSH lifting calcuations. These calcuations can give you a potential heads up into a dangerous lifting situation.

     

  • At November 27, 2007 4:49 PM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    We have an existing manipulator with custom lift assist tooling. It is ceiling suspended and has a knuckle type arm. Our operators are complaining that the arm is too hard to move. Any suggestions?
    Let me know if you need any more information.

     

  • At November 28, 2007 3:51 PM , Blogger Ergonomic Partners said...

    Can you advise how they are using the manipulator arm--that is are they using the manipulator arm towards the end of the radius, or are they using towards the center of the manipulator radius. If you are not out towards the last 1/3 of the arm the operators can fight the knuckle thus making it much harder to use. You may need to look at moving your workcell around. Pictures of the manipulator, lift assist tooling and workcell would greatly help. If possible please give me a call at 314-402-7775 or email at sales@ergonomicpartners.com with pictures, etc.
    Thanks
    Tim

     

  • At November 29, 2007 7:58 PM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    thanks Tim--I think we will have to change the workcell area. Can you email me some information on your Gorbel workstation crane systems and custom ergonomic lift assists? I believe I saw lift assist on your website??
    Thanks in Advance.
    Bill Dollar

     

  • At December 9, 2007 9:30 PM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    I am making a final decision on an underhung crane system. I have 2 quotes--an I-beam and patented track system. Can you give me any insight as to the advantages/disadvantages of either system?

     

  • At December 10, 2007 4:06 PM , Blogger Ergonomic Partners said...

    patented track is superior to I-beam as follows:

    Patented Track has special raised tread and high carbon track which is superior to I-Beams in strength, durability and consistency. For special applications like manipulators it may be required.

    Additional reasons to choose patented track over I-beam:

    A. I-Beams are rolled from soft mild steel—High Carbon lower flange on Patented Track
    B. Mill tolerances are loose for runways—all Patented Track is assembled on jigs and fixtures to assure a machine-like tolerance
    C. Beveled lower flange on I-beam prevents balanced contact on typical crowned I-beam trolleys—patented track is flat flange, with flat full wheel contact.

    That being said--I beam cranes are fine for lots of applications. The tolerances are typically within CMAA specs. Generally a maintenance crane, little hand push crane, light fabrication crane will be fine for I-beam. If you have a high duty or long span I would stick with patented track cranes. Also if it is hand push I would recommend an enclosed track crane like a Gorbel.

    Patented track cranes are also easier to install as they are straighter, splices will match up easier.

    Hope that helps a little. Let me know if you need more specific information.

     

  • At December 11, 2007 9:39 AM , Blogger Ergonomic Partners said...

    ERGONOMICS FOOD FOR THOUGHT:
    Businesses that have implemented ergonomics programs report significant decreases in accidents, injuries, illnesses and health-care costs over time, along with increases in productivity, product quality and worker morale.

    In Professional Safety magazine, Jerome Foods Inc., a turkey hatching, growing and processing company, reports saving $3 for every $1 spent since instituting its ergonomics program. Similar savings have been reported by the Grumman Corp., Ford Motor Co., and several large food retailers.

    A large Northwest aerospace company has reported successful projects in their ergonomics program.


    In a shop where aircraft interiors are installed, engineering controls and work practice changes increased productivity 10-15 percent, which translated into a benefit of more than $200,000.

    Changes made to a work process at a wire installation shop reduced stressful body posture and lowered the assembly time from eight to six and a half hours.
    In both instances, employee morale also appears to have improved.

    The above shows how a little prevention can go a long way and as we like to say "Good Ergonomics is Good Business!

     

  • At December 11, 2007 10:48 PM , Blogger Ergonomic Partners said...

    eTool for Ergonomic Workstation free on OSHA website:

    Need some help with workstation principles to create a safe and comfortable workstation? Check out this OSHA eTool.

    http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/computerworkstations/index.html


    Work your way thru "Good Working Postions, Workstation Components,Checklist,Work Process, and Workstation environment"

    "Consider your workstation as you read through each section and see if you can identify areas for improvement in posture, component placement, or work environment. This eTool provides suggestions to minimize or eliminate identified problems, and allows you to create your own "custom-fit" computer workstation."

     

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