Over the
past 20 years, businesses throughout North America have begun to recognize the risks associated with lower back pain (LBP), repetitive
strain injuries (RSIs) and musculoskeletal injuries (MSIs). As 3 of the most
common causes behind injury-related absenteeism and workers’ compensation
claims in North America, such injuries have a significant impact on the overall economy as businesses lose billions of dollars in lost productivity, wages, and
workplace insurance claims. In response to this development, businesses and
forklift manufacturers have begun investing in a long neglected area of
occupational health and safety – that of operator ergonomics.
How
Inadequate Ergonomics Harm Your Bottom-line:
As an occupation,
forklift operators are at a high risk of developing repetitive strain and
musculoskeletal injuries since they spend an inordinate amount of time in a
stationary or seated position. As with other professions that require employees to spend long, uninterrupted periods of time in a seated position, forklift
operators are at risk of developing muscle strains, soreness and cramping in
their back, neck, shoulders and arms. However, unlike their desk-bound
counterparts, forklift operators are regularly subjected to additional
movements and strains that exasperate an already detrimental situation.
Over the
course of a regular workday, it is not uncommon for a forklift operator to
shift into an awkward position or contort themselves in an effort to maintain
visibility while maneuvering their equipment. This is particularly prevalent in
confined, indoor workplaces as forklift operators are regularly forced to avoid
obstacles, navigate through narrow aisles and around tight corners. And, since forklifts
are designed without a suspension system, even the most basic operations tend
to subject a forklift operator to incessant vibrations and jolts. Taken
together, these two factors alone may prematurely degrade the vulnerable joints and
connective tissues of the body, as well as gradually compress the spinal column
and cause damage to the delicate discs between the vertebrae.
Even before
taking the physical risks associated with RSIs and MSIs into consideration,
poorly designed operator ergonomics can threaten the overall productivity and
profitability of any business or operation. In the absence of ergonomically designed supports and equipment, forklift operators are far more likely to experience
high levels of fatigue which may lead to decreased alertness, fatigue and physical
strain, poor decision-making and confusion. Fatigued operations are not only unable to maintain optimal levels of productivity, they also pose a
significantly higher risk to the business’s property, inventory, equipment, and
co-workers alike.
How Stärke
Equipment Innovations Can Help:
To ensure
that the end of an operator’s shift is just as productive as the beginning,
Stärke’s new XVI series of counterbalanced forklifts includes a number of
ergonomic features and improvements when compared to other, similar models.
On a basic level, designing an ergonomic forklift begins with the design and arrangement of the operator’s seat and the vehicle’s control system. Unlike the
equipment they operate, forklift operators rarely come in
standard sizes and dimensions. To promote proper posture regardless of the operator`s physical features, the XVI series of forklifts is equipped with an adjustable
suspension seat and steering column, an ample
foot well to allow the foot pedals operated at a comfortable angle, and a long operator assist grip for easy movement in
and out of the forklift.
As part of this
systemic approach to operator comfort and safety, Stärke’s new range of XVI
forklifts also includes a number of innovative parts and components which limit the physical strain of operators even further. With a newly designed
wide-view mast system, Stärke effectively limits the health and safety risks
that result from poor visibility. To reduce
the noise and vibration, the XVI was engineered to include dampening devices
that insulate the engine and a one-piece floating cabin further reduces the
vibration felt within the operator’s compartment.
Taken as a
whole, the innovative engineering and ergonomic features included in Stärke’s
new XVI series of counterbalanced forklifts represent a categorical improvement
over other models within its class. In this way, Stärke continues to
demonstrate its commitment to develop product solutions based upon emerging
market forces, customer needs and changes to our environment. There’s strength
in numbers, and Stärke is strength.
For more information on Stärke products, pricing or availability, please contact your nearest Stärke Material Handling Dealer. Locations throughout Canada or the USA.
Local: (905)-227-7554 | Toll free: 1-877-435-4352
