The Occupational Safety and Health Administration, or OSHA, has set forth guidelines for workplace safety that all employers must follow. In the automotive industry, heavy parts must be moved from one part of the facility to the next, which can lead to injury. The industry relies on suitable casters during production to keep things moving smoothly and prevent worker injury.
The automotive industry knows about hefty loads, and employees often put a lot of effort into moving those loads safely from one area to another. Caster wheels that aren’t ergonomic or designed to support the tremendous weight can cause overexertion, strains, and a lack of productivity. Casters for the automotive industry should reduce noise, absorb shock, and adequately support the loads they carry. This maximizes worker protection, keeps them safe, and helps meet OSHA regulations.
The automotive industry puts a great deal of strain on casters. Fork trucks or assembly lines often load line delivery carts, requiring the casters to absorb the shock without breaking or sustaining damage. Line delivery carts also have a lot of friction on the floor, especially as more carts are added to the chain. Choosing caster wheels that absorb shock and reduce friction minimizes the need for repairs or replacements, ultimately saving automotive facilities time and money.
Water and chemicals are everywhere in automotive facilities. Water can quickly cause rust and corrosion for some materials, endangering those moving the loads. Chemicals can erode right through some materials in much the same way. Under these circumstances, the proper caster wheels in the automotive industry must resist water, chemicals, and even flammable materials that are common in these locations. Otherwise, caster failure can occur.
Machinery in the automotive industry is quite loud, so the casters to move loads across the floor should be as quiet as possible to reduce overall noise in the workplace. Certain types of casters and caster materials are better at reducing noise than others, so it is essential to research and learn which ones are best in which situations. Things like the material itself, the tread material, and even the bearings used in the caster will all come into play, so speaking with a caster professional is often the best option to reduce workplace noise.
Like many others, the automotive industry is prevalent but has inherent dangers. Selecting the appropriate caster wheels for each load can easily prevent many common injuries in this industry.