Day: January 23, 2019

The Unexpectedly High Cost of Warehouse and Forklift Injuries

Be Careful where You Step!
Be Careful where You Step!

Damages to warehouse equipment are easily resolved by repair or replacement, resulting in a fixed cost. But workplace injuries create a financial ripple effect that goes well beyond medical expenses.

Data shows the average work-related injury costs $188,000, with $150,000 of that amount coming from indirect costs. Here’s a look at some eye-opening facts about warehouse and forklift accidents and the different ways they impact operations.

Causes of Warehouse and Forklift Accidents

– The three most common warehouse injuries result from slip-and-fall; musculoskeletal activities such as pushing and lifting; and use of forklifts and other material handling equipment.

– Most accidents occur in, on or around docks, forklifts, conveyors, material storage and manual lifting and handling.

– Approximately 20,000 workplace injuries are sustained in forklift accidents, with 25 percent resulting from an overturned forklift.

– An average of 100 forklift accidents each year end in fatalities. Roughly 42 percent occur when the operator is crushed by a falling vehicle. In many cases, the seatbelt was not used as per OSHA regulations.

– Pallet jack failure is most often caused by poor work habits such as overloaded or improperly configured racks and operator error.

Employer Costs

Primary direct costs of workplace accidents are medical expenses for the injured employee and repair or replacement of damaged warehouse equipment. Indirect expenses include salaries of temporary workers, changes to insurance premiums, legal costs and lost productivity and business opportunities.

Employee Costs

Injured employees also incur direct and indirect costs. These can include reduction or loss of salary, overtime pay and savings; unreimbursed medical expenses; and ongoing treatment for chronic pain.

Warehouse Equipment Designed for Safety

Our battery-powered warehouse equipment reduces the risk of musculoskeletal injury incurred by handling heavy or awkward loads. Contact DJ Products for more information.

Learn How to Reduce Warehouse Inventory Damage with an Eye on Boosting Profits

Watch Out Above You for any Potential Hazards - Like Falling Wooden Pallets.
Watch Out Above You for any Potential Hazards – Like Falling Wooden Pallets.

Quality material handling equipment improves productivity, but those gains can be offset by inventory loss, eating away at profits. Between damages, poor inventory control and theft, losses that seem insignificant on a daily basis can add up to considerable amounts.

While some loss is unavoidable, you can take steps to limit inventory shrinkage. Incorporate these tips in warehouse day-to-day operations to reduce inventory loss and protect profits.

Reduce Risk of Damages

Inventory damage occurs primarily due to packaging or handling. Review incidents of damage over time to see if you can discover a pattern.

– Make sure packaging materials are sturdy enough to accommodate products and stand up to specific warehouse conditions, such as extreme heat or cold.

– Limit the amount of headspace in packages to prevent boxes becoming crushed, especially when they’re stacked on a shelf or pallet.

– Train employees in proper loading techniques.

Improve Inventory Control

High-tech warehouse management systems (WMS) allow for greater precision when tracking inventory. Traditional methods such as inventory auditing and cycle counting programs also minimize the risk of lost products.

Increase Security Measures

No one wants to think about in-house theft, but it’s an unfortunate fact of life. Strategically placed video cameras can serve as deterrents while providing a means of investigating instances of pilferage. If your warehouse stocks products with a high value on secondary markets, consider instituting a consistent and fair inspection program in which all bags are searched.

Upgrade Warehouse Safety with Material Handling Equipment from DJ Products

Are workers struggling with heavy loads? Our battery-powered material handling equipment reduces risk of both inventory damage and workplace injury. Visit our website and let our knowledgeable sales engineers help you find the perfect tug, pusher or mover for your application.

Tips for Storing Your Small Aircraft Over the Winter

With winter underway, it’s important to make sure that your small aircraft is properly stored for the season. This helps reduce the risk of damage to it and ensures that your aircraft will be ready for you to use again when the weather improves. If you need to move your plane into storage or move it to a different area of your storage facility, keep in mind that an aircraft caddy makes this process go much easier.

Protect Against Rodents and Other Pests

Mice and other pests can make your airplane their home in winter if it provides them with shelter and warmth. When you put your plane into storage, make sure that it doesn’t give these pests any entry points. Cover or close up holes that rodents and other pests can use to get inside.

Fill the Fuel Tanks

Even if you won’t be using your plane in winter, you should still keep the fuel tanks filled up. Doing this lowers the amount of moisture in the tank, which reduces the risk of condensation building up.

Remove the Battery

Keeping the battery inside your plane means that it could end up being exposed to conditions that are too cold. Storing the battery in a location that keeps it safe from extreme cold can help prevent it from being damaged.

Do an Oil Change

Giving your airplane’s engine a fresh oil change, which will help to ensure that it runs smoothly when it starts up again. This will eliminate contaminants that may affect its performance.

If you’re looking to get an aircraft caddy for your small plane, please visit DJ Products. We have a fine selection of these products available. Contact Kari Koznick for more information on our aircraft products.

C-40 Clippers Are a New Upgrade for the Marines

Marines Get New Hardware
Marines Get New Aircraft

The U.S. Marine Corps is turning to GSA listed suppliers for an upgrade to their 1970s-era transport planes. Boeing’s C-40 Clipper is the USMC’s choice to replace two of its C-9B Skytrain executive transports.

C-40 Clippers are also expected to take over for C-9s currently in operation with the U.S. Naval Reserve and U.S. Air Force. Here’s a look at this 737-based aircraft and where it fits in with military programs.

Overview of C-40 Clippers

C-40s in use by the military come in three different models:

The C-40A is a Navy aircraft created by adding a larger cargo door along with stronger wings and landing gear to a 737-700C frame. Its robust navigation system is an advantage in Third World airports with older ground systems.

The USAF’s C-40B has superior technological capabilities, serving as an “office in the sky” for military and government leaders. Its primary feature is a Connexion system that provides secure in-flight broadband connectivity.

The C-40C, another USAF aircraft, is a counterpart to the Navy’s C-40A. Both models can serve as all-passenger, all-cargo or passenger/cargo combination transports.

USMC Order for C-40 Clippers

The USMC’s order for two C-40 Clippers comes amid concerns about continued durability of their aging C-9 aircraft. Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) is supporting a survey conducted by the USMC to find a supplier for the C-40s. While NAVAIR is expressing willingness to consider used aircraft, experts believe Boeing will ultimately receive the order.

DJ Products: Proud to Be One of the GSA Listed Suppliers

Reduce costs and improve safety with our full line of GSA listed military and defense material handling equipment. Visit our website for more information about products such as our AircraftCaddy and BombCaddy.