Workplace Injuries That Material Lifting Equipment Can Prevent

Ergonomic and safety hazards can result in increased workplace injuries which can harm the company’s bottom line. Tasks like manual material handling are common in all industries.

Industry stats reveal that material handling workplace injuries account for two-thirds of the 3.2 million injury cases filed by employees annually. NIOSH further highlights that over 43% of occupational injuries involve poor posture, repetitive motions, excessive vibrations, stationary positions, improper lighting, and extreme temperatures.

Improper lifting of heavy or bulky objects can lead to life-altering injuries and are a leading cause of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). Statistics show MSDs account for nearly 450,000 annual injuries, with $24 billion in direct costs and indirect costs that are five times more expensive.

With increased awareness and technological advancements, the strain-and-sprain mentality won’t cut it anymore. Companies must understand that employees are at the heart of all operations, which is why their safety must be prioritized.

Manufacturing facilities need to implement ergonomic solutions and invest in upgraded material handling equipment to protect the workforce from being rendered down to stats. Ergonomic equipment by Hovair Systems helps reduce missed workdays and ensures your operations keep rolling.

Common Workplace Injuries Hovair’s Ergonomic Equipment Protects Workers From

Strains and Sprains

Material handlers experienced nearly 43% of the 325,910 reported strain and sprain injuries in 2020, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Even when mechanical aids are available, the wrong equipment combined with untrained workers uses inappropriate lifting methods to move items that are too heavy for manual lifting. It leads to back injuries with 67 days recovery time, shares the National Safety Council.

Falls, Trips, and Slips

Debris, strapping, packing materials, spilled liquids, and uneven floor surfaces often contribute to falls, slips, and trips. Besides strains and sprains, they can also cause fractures, muscle tears, cuts, and bruises.

Implementing robust housekeeping protocols for keeping aisles clear, sweeping work areas, placing spent packaging material in recycling bins, and cleaning spills right away are necessary for preventing workplace injuries.

Punctures and Cuts

Hundreds of material handlers report get cut injuries daily. This doesn’t include minor cuts that can be dealt with on-site with prompt first aid. Removing staples, using nail guns, and grazing loose wood splinters also lead to punctures.

Cut-resistant gloves and substituting cutting tools with retractable blades can help make tasks like removing strapping and cutting through tapes, ropes, and wires safer.

Fractures and Inflammation

Overturning forklifts cause nearly 26% of workplace injuries in the material handling industry. They can lead to muscle inflammation and fractures when caught between objects. The injury leads to workers missing an average of 90 work days for recovery.

The Importance of Reliable Heavy Load Moving Equipment

Manual material handling is a time-consuming, risky, and laborious task that can be harsh for the human body. The right material handling equipment by Hovair Systems can help reduce workplace injuries and prevent medical expenses or dents in the reputation of your business.

Our heavy load handling systems can also improve productivity and efficiency in the workplace by speeding up operations without compromising safety. Reach out to learn more about our ergonomic equipment.

Our representatives can assist you with more information about air bearing kits, load leveling airbags, air skates, air beams, air casters, automobile and industrial turntables, and other lifting and rigging equipment. You can also buy top-quality air compressors at reasonable rates.

Don’t hesitate to give us a call if you want to learn more about our pneumatic material handling and heavy load moving solutions. We’d be happy to provide you with solutions for improving productivity while reducing workplace injuries.