Cooperation of Company and Union Saves Millions!

Tyson has long been seen as an innovator in ergonomics and taking care of their employees. Twenty years ago they set out on a truly progressive ergonomics initiative. Below some highlights from ://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/globenewswire/179033.htm article on the web. This shows that ergonomics is about saving companies money. Much applause to this business for leading the way.

Tyson has been involved in numerous engineering projects designed to modify work stations and equipment in order to reduce physical stressors on the job. Examples include redesigned knife handles, height-adjustable work stations, use of lighter-weight saws/power tools, hydraulic/mechanical assists to lift or separate product, lower overhead chains and conveyors to eliminate reaching over shoulder height, product diverters on conveyor lines to bring product closer to workers, comfortable/level floor surfaces, improved illumination and job rotation. The company has also worked to reduce the vibration generated by certain tools and modified personal protective equipment to make it fit better and be more comfortable.

"Over the past 20 years, our company has devoted millions of dollars in ergonomically-designed equipment and process improvements, as well as training, which we believe have helped prevent workplace injuries and illnesses," said Jim Lochner, chief operating officer of Tyson Foods. "However, the real key to the success of this program has been the workers who serve as safety and ergonomics monitors. The input we've received from hourly production workers and the participation of our plant and corporate management teams, have been invaluable."

"What this program shows is that when workers have input on working conditions, when they are part of the decision-making process, you come up with a better, safer environment -- and that's good for everybody," said UFCW Meatpacking, Manufacturing, and Food Processing Division Director Mark Lauritsen. "It works because everyone is involved from Tyson management to UFCW leaders, ergo monitors and production workers."

"The union and Tyson have worked together to make this ergonomics program what it is today (and) I think we're way ahead of the industry with our program," said Marvin Harrington, President of UFCW Local 222, which represents workers at the Dakota City plant. "We're proud the program is part of our UFCW contract with Tyson. We train UFCW members on how to identify hazards and recommend fixes. Having both Tyson management and UFCW members engaged on detecting hazards makes for an efficient process."

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Lift Table Solution For The Printing Industry

Lift Table Application:

This printing operation loads pallets of rolled printed product. The loads can range from several hundred to over one thousand pounds. The loaded pallets are removed and transported by pallet jack to the shipping area.

Problem:

The operators handle of a wide range of size and weight of printed product in this area. The area for staging and loading the pallets is very cramped. Lifting, bending, stretching and reaching to position printed materials of various size and weights on the pallet takes a physical toll on line operators. The tight space conditions add to the frustration not allowing the operators to work efficiently. Lift trucks are prohibited access to this work area for safety reasons as the area is very congested with product.

Solution:

Bishamon EZOFF lifters are positioned in the pallet building areas. The empty pallets are placed on the raised EZOFF Lifter. The lift can be lowered as the printed rolls are loaded to accommodate the workers comfort level. In addition the operator can rotate the platform to position the lift for loading thereby eliminating reaching across the load or walking around the lift to place product on the pallet. The result is less bending, reaching and stretching, reduced fatigue and improved productivity.

Ergonomic Partners can help with this or similar applications for your industry. Contact us at 314-766-4578 or at sales@ergonomicpartners.com

Why Choose Patented Track Crane Systems?

Cleveland Tramrail is clearly superior to standard I-Beam cranes. In the field there are systems going on 100 years old and still running strong. Patented track systems are clearly a piece of mchinery made to operate as a complete system and not just pieces put together hoping they will run smoothly. I-Beam cranes are only as good as the mill tolerance that the beams are required to adhere. These beams have noticeable negative camber, tilted webs, and uneven bottom flanges. This relates to a much shorter life of the crane system.

Benefits of Cleveland Tramrail Tarca Track

Increased load carrying capacity and track life- the lower section of Tarca track is specially rolled from high carbon billet and welded to a structural steel web and top flange. This construction of the track increases its load carrying capacity while retaining its non-peening qualities and significantly increasing track life. peening- gradual movement of metal by the rolling action of wheels. The metal moves to one or both sides of the rail, depending on the rail design, and is the chief source of wear. Raised tread stays flat and smooth - raised tread design allows metal to flow in both directions when repeatedly subjected to a rolling load; the tread stays flat and smooth allowing for easy rolling of loaded wheels. Maximum strength, maximum rigidity, and greater safety - the high carbon alloy steel rail is joined by a carefully controlled welding process which means maximum strength and rigidity and greater safety. Standardized rail widths - the most distinguishing feature of patented rail is that a rail of uniform width can be maintained over a wide range of beam depths and carrying capacities. This uniformity provides a basis for standardization not only in trolleys and end trucks, but also in interlocks, electrification brackets, and other accessories. A better installation, faster - Overall track depth is held to close tolerances. Flange and rail are held square with the web. This accuracy eliminates time consuming shimming and fitting during erection. Systems fit neatly together for smooth, quiet operation. If you need help specifying the proper crane system for your application contact a crane sales professional at sales@ergonomicpartners.com, or call at 314-766-4578 for more information

National Ergonomics Conference is Focusing on Workplace Ergonomics

The 15th Annual National Ergonomics Conference and Exposition (ErgoExpo) at Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, November 17 - 20, is focusing on the importance of workplace ergonomics in a time of economic recovery.

There were hundreds of pre-registered attendees from 40+ states plus overseas.

Companies include Apple, Armstrong, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Boeing, BP, CDC, Chevron, Clorox, ConAgra Foods, Corning, the Dept. of Defense, Eli Lilly & Co., ExxonMobil, FBI, Gallo Wine, Kaiser Permanente, KIA, Levi Strauss & Co., Liberty Mutual, Marsh, NASA, Nintendo, Northrop Grumman, Office Max, Pepperidge Farm, Pitney Bowes, Raytheon, Rockwell Collins, Sealy, Travelers Insurance, US Army, US Dept. of Energy, US Marines, US Navy, USPS, Walt Disney Co., Zurich and numerous municipal and state government, healthcare facility, and utility company representatives.

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Rigid Industrial Manipulator Integrated with Gorbel Workstation Crane System

This Gorbel Free Standing Work Station Bridge Crane was utilized for an application that takes advantage of its ease of push and pull for a custom yet affordable solution.

The customer needed rigidity to be maintained while handling these parts and the system they were using had a lot of swing with the hoist and could not handle the required installation angle.

This application involved handling row unit pods for a combine. Three pods were on a mounting rack which weighed 1000#. The pack of three needed to be picked up and tilted to a specific angle to allow for proper installation.

A Gorbel Free Standing Work Station Bridge Crane with a Dual Girder Bridge and Variable Frequency Tractor Drives on both the trolley and bridge. The variable frequency drive control give the operator optimum spotting control to position these large pods.

Gorbel workstation cranes are easily integrated with custom end tooling. Gorbel will make the platform to integrate with many type of one of a kind tooling.

The customer was thrilled with the amount of time they were able to save over the previous method. Their installation time was reduced from 25 minutes per pack down to 5 minutes.

Have a problem or tough application? Give us a call at 314-766-4578 or drop us a line at sales@ergonomicpartners.com

Fabtech Show Opened Today in Chicago

FABTECH International & AWS Welding Show opened today in Chicago. Stop by and check out Gorbels booth if you are in town. They will have the G-Force, Easy Arm, Tool jibs, and workstation cranes to name a few.

The show runs from Nov. 15 - 18, 2009. This very large event expects over 1,000 exhibitors, with an expected 35,000 attendees.It will feature thousands of live equipment demonstrations throughout pavilions dedicated to metal forming, fabricating, tube and pipe, stamping, lasers, thermal spray and welding.

Let us know if you see something you like and we will feature it on our blog! Drop us a line at sales@ergonomicpartners.com

Ergonomic Matting for Areas of Dangerous High Voltage Equipment

Need a anti-fatigue mat for a custom application. Well this is one type of matting that we are constantly supplying for our customers, but many people do not know this type of mat is available. Many plants protect their workers when they are working around high voltage equipment.

Diamond-Plate Switchboard is the newest version of high-performance non-conductive matting. Designed to protect personnel in areas with dangerous high-voltage equipment, it can insulate against as much as 30,000 volts of electricity. Its unique diamond-embossed surface is easily

cleaned and will not collect contaminants.

Diamond-Plate Switchboard matting conforms to ANSI/ASTM D-178-

01 Type II (a premium quality vinyl compound resistant to UV, ozone

and many common chemicals), Class 2. 1 Year Warranty.

Color: Black (BK)90

Have a special anti-fatigue mat application? Let us know and we will see if we can find you a mat for that special application

Box Handling Custom Lift Assist

This custom box handling tool was provided at the end of six conveyor stations. The old process was for the operator to pick them off a conveyor by hand and set onto a pallet. The new process involves self leveling lift tables and this custom lift assist integrated with the Gorbel G-Force. The operators are picking up one box every 15 seconds so you can imagine the wear and tear of lifting this 35 pound box for 8 hours.

Note the lift is done by vacuum cups which attach to the side of the box as the top of the box was not sturdy enough to hold the weight of the box. Once the operator attaches to the box they can lift the product with the Gorbel G-Force which make the part weightless. It is commonly referred to as a zero gravity lifter, as it moves up to 200 fpm and makes the part weightless.

The customer has gotten raves from the workers, who used to have to switch out the job on an hourly basis. They can now work an 8 hour shift and not go home feeling wiped out!

The customer said their ROI was less than 6 months, and are currently looking at several other applications for the G-Force as well as the Gorbel Easy Arm.

The Gorbel G-Force and Easy Arm can be integrated with countless tooling end-effectors to pick up almost any product in your plant. We can now even go up to 1380# with the same precision positioning. If you have a troublesome spot in your plant let us come and set up a free G-Force demo.

Give us a call atr 314-766-4578, or drop us a line at sales@ergonomicpartners.com. You can also look at all of our solutions at www.ergonomicpartners.com.

Ergonomic Partners specializes in custom lifting devices, lift assists, manipulators, overhead cranes, hoists, anti-fatigue mats, lift tables and adjustable workbenches.

Sanitizing Footbath Mat

Wearwell's Sanitizing Foot Mat keeps hygienic areas free of contamination and germs.

Great for food processing plants, this mat has thousands of pliable rubber scrapers that dislodge contaminants from footwear as the shoe soles are immersed in the disinfectant solution.

Sanitizing Foot Mat will hold one gallon of disinfectant solution - chlorine or quaternary. The New model has 2.5" Tall Walls, which allow the mat to hold up to 5.5 gallons of sanitizing solution. When filled to a practical level, the solution will totally immerse the treads and sides of the boot sole, while the fingertips release any accumulations. The larger overall size covers most doorways and allows employees to take two steps in the mat.

You can also get the tall size with Yellow Borders.

This mat comes in two sizes:

24"x32" with the standard wall

32"x39" which has the 2-1/2" wall

Give us a call at 314-766-4578 or drop us a line at sales@ergonomicpartners.com

Wearwell Food Production Mat Specifically for Food Production and Processing Industries

Need a food production mat? Well this one has been a top seller. Check out the specs below or visit http://www.ergonomicpartners.com/product/358/125/482-Grade-A-Food-Mat-12-Thick.aspx to view it on-line.

Defined by its specially formulated anti-microbial rubber compound and

its totally functional design, Grade A is the first mat designed specifically

for the food production and processing industries. Its uniquely

formulated Nitrile rubber compound is designed to withstand fluids and

oils commonly found in food processing environments including

vegetable oils, animal fats, citrus, and fish oil. Grade A:

1) Passes ASTM G21-96 (2002), the test used by NSF to determine

resistance to microorganisms and is 100% anti-microbial.

2) Has built-in handles to ease pick-up and cleaning of the mats.

3) Features a hygienic porthole and solid underside design that

simplify cleaning and virtually eliminate areas where food can

collect.

4) Has a substantial underside knobs that allow quick drainage and

increase the comfort level of the mat.

5) Has a textured surface that increases traction when greasy and

wet.

6) Is permanently anti-microbial and the additive has GRAS status.

Give us a call at 314-766-4578 or view all our mats at http://www.ergonomicpartners.com/Anti-Fatigue-Matting.aspx

Food Processing Plant Utilizes Bishamon Mobile Self Leveling Lift Cart

This food processing facility was using large outdated carts to get the product to the workers for final preparation. The old carts were hard to maneuver and the worker had to reach to six inches above floor level to pick up the bottom boxes. Well they needed a solution and Bishamon ESX Mobile self leveling tables were chosen. These are available as 220#, 460# or 880# and are very inexpensive. The load automatically raises as the boxes are removed.

Check them out at http://www.ergonomicpartners.com/product/366/240/Bishamon-ESX-MobiLeveler.aspx.

Standard Features:

• Load weight compensating
• Easily accessible gauged weightselector knob
• Single and dual spring models
• Heavy-duty maintenance, scissor locking pin
• High quality casters with brake
• Steel work platforms
• Rugged construction, with heavy-gauge steel and sturdy welds throughout
• Clean design with minimum of maintenance requirement
• Durable powder coated finish

Bishamon Hydraulic Lift Table with Turn Table Top Helps this Food Processer

This food processing facility was having numerous injuries in this high duty cycle palletizing process. The workers are taking the product off of a conveyor and loading onto pallets. They were loading them at floor level which was obviously causing back injuries. They now can keep their work in a good ergonomic zone. Also notice that these lift tables have turn tables so they can keep from reaching over to load the far side of the pallet.

There are many different configurations of lift tables for your exact application. Ergonomic Partners will be happy to help you select the right lift table for your job and budget.

Check us out on the web at www.ergonomicpartners.com or give us a call at 314-766-4578