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Caster Concepts is no stranger to ergonomics. Many of the casters we’ve developed and sold to companies worldwide center around ergonomics. Yet many changes in the workplace that companies introduce to promote safety – including replacing their outdated casters with ergonomic alternatives – don’t always last.
At Caster Concepts, we can provide some helpful information to ensure the longevity of those changes and, ultimately, the safety of everyone in the workplace.
OSHA has funded much of the research that has gone into workplace ergonomics. Still, some companies are of the mindset that ergonomic devices and tools in the workplace do very little (if anything at all) to prevent injury. This is not true.
Allowing the body to move naturally reduces the risk of injury. Unfavorable conditions arise when a process requires a person to push more, pull harder, overextend their body, or make other movements beyond the normal range of motion. The person must exert greater muscle strength, which significantly increases the risk of injury due to overexertion.
Although investing in ergonomic tools and devices may come with an initial investment, you’ll save money in the long run. This includes fewer workers’ compensation claims, fewer training costs, and lower insurance premiums.
Workplace safety is a culture that must be advanced by management, fostered by everyone, and talked about regularly to last. When safety comes across as more of an order than a genuine bid to keep workers safe, employees view it as another rule they must follow.
A great way to combat this is to hold regular safety meetings to voice concerns openly. Addressing these concerns proves to employees that their safety matters. Over time, the employees will view safety rules as something they want to follow.
Following safe practices and OSHA guidelines is also a good idea financially. General violations can cost as much as $7,000; more serious violations carry a penalty of $25,000. In the case of a repeat violation, that fine climbs to as much as $70,000.
Purchasing and installing a lower-quality product now can cause a lot of future headaches. Ergonomic changes in the workplace last longer by using quality products from the start. And products that live up to the standards designed to reduce fatigue, noise, and the amount of push force involved.
One great example of this is a Twergo® wheel. These popular wheels are noted for their many ergonomic benefits, but longevity is also a significant advantage.
Twergo wheels feature aluminum cores that won’t rust or corrode and are maintenance-free. They also utilize precision-sealed bearings that never need greasing. Each of the wheels in the assembly independently rotates to provide superior traction with less friction.
Whatever your material handling need, Caster Concepts offers a wide variety of casters used in the aerospace, automotive, and manufacturing industries, among others. Not only do we provide a vast selection of standard casters, but we also manufacture custom casters according to client specifications with one of the fastest turnaround times in the industry.
