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Both the direct and indirect costs associated with back and shoulder injuries are staggering and are a huge drain on resources and productivity.
The Ohio State University’s Spine Center offers this sobering example. Based on an OSHA study, it was estimated that the indirect costs alone of lower back pain in 2014 dollars came to $62 billion. In this example, if you spent $100 every second, it would take you nearly 20 years to spend what the U.S. loses in one year from the indirect costs of low back pain.
The most common culprit behind these injuries deals with the amount of force required to push or pull wheeled equipment, This force is always greatest at the start. Once the cart is rolling, it typically requires less effort to push or pull. Taking these two factors into consideration, when the starting force and rolling force exceed those that the operator can safely push, injuries occur.
| Push Force & Industry Risk |
||
| 70 LBS. PUSH FORCE | SAFE FOR 38% OF THE POPULATION | 62 OUT OF 100 AT RISK FOR INJURY |
| 50 LBS. PUSH FORCE | SAFE FOR 82% OF THE POPULATION | 18 OUT OF 100 AT RISK FOR INJURY |
| 40 LBS. PUSH FORCE | SAFE FOR 90% OF THE POPULATION | 8 OUT OF 100 AT RISK FOR INJURY |
The use of Twergo™ Caster Wheels from Caster Concepts has been extremely cost-effective in terms of reducing worker injuries. Recently, Twergo Caster Wheels were used at a large aviation company to reduce the push and pull forces of carts averaging 1,000 lbs. Even at this weight, injuries were mounting, with the average shoulder injury costing $55,000 and the average back injury costing $28,000.
The results of using 6” x 2” Twergo Wheels are shown below, with push and pull numbers (in terms of force) measured before and after installing Twergo Wheels. Carts weighed 1,000 lbs. apiece.
| Pull Testing
Before 88 After 16 Before 55 After 22 Before 70 After 19 |
Push Testing
Before 45 After 18 Before 38 After 20 Before 53 After 18 |
TWERGO is Caster Concepts’ patented, ergonomic caster wheel featuring Twin- and Triple-wheel designs that have independently spinning wheels. These wheels can rotate in either direction and at any rate, minimizing friction when turning and maneuvering. The benefits include reduced initial and continuous push force, as well as the force exerted to turn.
In another relevant example, a major electric vehicle manufacturer needed to get the maximum push force below 35 pounds on their manual carts to reduce overexertion injuries and increase productivity. These carts were carrying loads of 1500 pounds. At a push force weight below 35 pounds, 99% of the workforce can move a cart multiple times per day, per shift.
After trials with a variety of caster manufacturers, Caster Concept’s 8×2 Twergo wheels were chosen and were the only wheels that passed their strict standards.
TWERGO Ergonomic wheels are great for AGV’s and Tuggers where high weight capacities are needed. They are reliable at higher speeds and are available in two-and three-wheel configurations.
