industrial tugs Archives

Ergonomics Used in the Context of Industrial Warehouse Equipment Part Two

Ergonomics in Industial Warehousing

Best Practices for Implementing Ergonomic Solutions in Your Warehouse

Realizing the tangible benefits of ergonomic solutions requires a strategic, multifaceted approach. Here’s how to transform your warehouse into an ergonomic utopia:

Conduct Ergonomic Assessments

Start with a comprehensive evaluation of your workspace and work processes. Gather data on injury rates, employee feedback, and the physical demands of each task. This will help you identify problem areas and prioritize where ergonomic changes are most needed.

Involve Your Employees

No one understands the day-to-day challenges of warehouse work better than the employees themselves. Engage them in the process of identifying and resolving ergonomic issues. Their insights can be invaluable in finding practical and effective solutions. Review the solutions DJ Products offers for the warehouse environment and purchase the “right” tools for the “right” need.

Invest in Training and Culture

Ergonomics should not be an afterthought. Empower your team with the knowledge of safe work practices and foster a culture where ergonomic considerations are integrated into every task and decision.

Regular Maintenance and Upkeep

Ergonomic equipment is only effective when it’s functioning properly. Develop a maintenance schedule to ensure that all tools and equipment continue to provide the support and comfort your employees need.

Remain Adaptive to Change

The nature of warehouse work is dynamic, with new products, processes, and technologies constantly emerging. Your ergonomic approach must be flexible to accommodate these changes and advancements.

Future Trends in Ergonomics for Warehouse Equipment and Operations

The world of warehouse ergonomics is evolving, incorporating cutting-edge technology and new philosophies. Here are some trends on the horizon:

Automation and Robotics

The rise of automation in warehouses introduces a new set of ergonomic considerations. While robots can handle the most strenuous tasks, their interaction with human workers must be carefully managed to prevent new forms of ergonomic hazards.

Wearable Technology

From exoskeletons that support heavy lifting to smart glasses that optimize picking processes, wearable technology is set to revolutionize how workers interact with their environment in ergonomically sound ways.

Big Data and Analytics

Leveraging big data can provide unprecedented insight into the health and safety of your workforce. By analyzing patterns and risk factors, you can fine-tune your ergonomic strategies for maximum impact.

Sustainable Ergonomics

The concept of sustainable ergonomics goes beyond physical health to consider the long-term psychological well-being of employees. This approach focuses on creating work environments that foster engagement, motivation, and career satisfaction.

The Role of Ergonomics in Enhancing Safety and Efficiency in Warehousing

Ergonomics isn’t a single solution but a mindset that should permeate every aspect of warehouse operations. By prioritizing the comfort and health of your workforce, you set the stage for safer, more efficient, and more profitable operations.

Your Path to Better Warehouse Ergonomics Starts with DJ Products

Ready to elevate your warehouse’s ergonomics? DJ Products is at the forefront of ergonomic solutions for warehouses across the globe. Visit our website to explore our range of ergonomic warehouse equipment and learn more about the positive impact it can have on your business and your employees.

When is the Best Time of Year to Purchase Material Handling Equipment for Your Warehouse?

Motorized Trailer Dolly Improves Warehouse Efficiency

Warehouses rely on various types of material handling equipment, such as forklifts. These pieces of equipment can break down or develop damage over time. In some cases, businesses become busier and don’t have enough equipment to handle more loads. Whether you’re looking into getting a motorized trailer dolly or another type of equipment for material handling, knowing when to make this purchase is important.

Busy Seasons

Is your warehouse busier during certain seasons, such as the holiday shopping season? If so, it’s essential to make sure you have material handling equipment to take on more loads. Otherwise, your current equipment can end up with more wear and tear, which can boost the chance of needing repairs or more frequent maintenance. If you’re expecting increased business during the holidays, order the material handling equipment you need now. If your busy season is summer, it’s still a good idea to order ahead of time in case of delays.

Supply Issues

When many other businesses are ordering equipment, you might experience lengthy delivery times. For example, a shortage of material handling equipment can lead to long delays before you’re able to get your items. If you know you’ll be needing more equipment in the near future, put your orders in now to make sure they arrive on time.

Damaged or Worn Equipment

Don’t wait until the ideal time of year to buy material handling equipment if yours is worn or damaged. Ordering as soon as possible helps ensure that you receive new equipment, while also lowering the risk of excessive downtime and productivity loss.

Not Enough Equipment

If your warehouse is expanding or business is picking up steadily, plan ahead. Take a look at the equipment you have now and determine what you need in order to keep up with the growing demands of your warehouse. Place orders for material handling equipment as soon as you know what you need.

If it’s time to purchase a trailer dolly for your warehouse, please contact DJ Products. We offer material handling solutions to help businesses improve efficiency, productivity, and safety, while lowering costs.

5 Reasons Industrial Ergonomics Matter

Improved Safety with a Motorized Tug

Industrial ergonomics plays an important role in protecting workers from injuries. The use of ergonomics in warehouses and similar workplaces where manual labor is done helps ensure a safer environment. This type of design reduces injuries workers can get from doing repetitive tasks or pushing or lifting heavy loads. A simple change, such as using a motorized trailer dolly, can help support ergonomic design in these settings. Learn more about the kinds of benefits industrial ergonomics provides.

Increased Productivity

Workplace injuries, such as muscle strains, can make it difficult for workers to be productive. A loss of productivity can have a negative impact on your business. Ergonomic equipment makes it easier and more comfortable for workers to handle everyday tasks, resulting in increased productivity.

Better Workplace Safety

Operating forklifts, manually pushing heavy loads, and doing other tasks in industrial settings comes with a wide range of risks and safety hazards. Using ergonomic design and equipment, such as motorized trailer dollies, helps boost safety in the workplace and reduces the risk of injuries.

Reduced Costs

Workplace injuries and accidents can lead to high costs for companies in terms of workers’ compensation, healthcare costs, and staff turnover, and decreased productivity. Ergonomics helps keep these costs low through higher productivity, improved safety, and stronger employee morale.

More Employee Engagement

Providing a safe and comfortable workplace environment for workers helps reduce the risk of having them leave. This helps keep employee turnover lower, so companies don’t have to spend significant time and money finding and training new staff. Having happier employees thanks to industrial ergonomic design also helps increase productivity.

Improved Service or Product Quality

When workers have injuries or fatigue on the job, this can lower the quality of products or services they handle from day to day. Making changes in the workplace through ergonomic design and equipment can help improve product or service quality. This helps companies boost customer satisfaction.

If you’re looking for a motorized trailer dolly for your workplace, please contact DJ Products. Our team can assist you in finding one that fits your needs, so you can enjoy the benefits that ergonomic equipment provides.

Move Heavy Trailers with the Cart Caddy Wagon Wheel

CartCaddy Wagon Wheel

Pulling or moving heavy carts or trailers should always be done carefully to prevent them from tipping over or causing injuries. When you’re exploring options for a safe way to move this type of equipment around, consider the CartCaddy WagonWheel Shorty Tug from DJ Products. Learn more about these tugs.

Why Choose the CartCaddy WagonWheel Shorty Tug

This tug is able to pull or move trailers and carts that weigh up to 3,000 pounds smoothly and safely. The tug’s wagon wheel steering system provides an easy way to maneuver carts and trailers with heavy loads on them without having to worry about accidents or injuries. Whether you have equipment with a pin, pintle, or ball hitch, you can attach the CartCaddy WagonWheel Shorty Tug securely. Using this tug helps reduce the risk of injuries when employees move or pull heavy carts or trailers. This helps keep employees safe while also lowering the risk of damage to products or equipment.

Variable Speed

What kinds of features does the CartCaddy WagonWheel Shorty Tug have? These tugs are able to move between 0 and 3 miles per hour in forward or reverse. The feature an ergonomically correct variable speed, which can help lower the risk of carpal tunnel syndrome. This design also makes it easy for employees to move or pull carts and trailers smoothly, even while making intricate moves. The tug allows loads to be turned 90 degrees without tipping over.

Reliable Battery System

They also have a 36-volt battery system with three 12-volt batteries and come with a charger that works with 120/220 Hrz. outlets. The battery system can give you up to 16 hours of continuous use before needing to be charged up again. This provides plenty of battery power for a full work day or two shifts.

Safety Stop Switch

This feature on the back of the handle bar box allows employees to stop the tug right away in order to prevent injuries. This helps ensure that employees stay safe while operating the CartCaddy WagonWheel Shorty Tug.

To request a demo of the CartCaddy WagonWheel Shorty Tug or for more information, please contact DJ Products.

Cart Pulling Solutions for Cart Towing in Your Warehouse

CartCaddyShorty

Warehouses are full of materials that need to be transported quickly from one spot to another. If the process gets interrupted at any point, it results in costly delays and reduced productivity. Keep operations running smoothly with the CartCaddyShorty from DJ Products.

Meet the CartCaddyShorty

Are you relying on outdated equipment to move carts and materials around the workplace? This method ties up manpower that could be put to more valuable use elsewhere. Even worse, employees may sustain injuries that cause expensive workers’ compensation claims and a potential labor shortage.

With the CartCaddyShorty, a single employee can safely and easily move loads of up to 3,000 pounds. Our puller works particularly well with carts that have two front swivel casters and two back straight casters, which are commonly found in most manufacturing facilities.

Take a Closer Look

No matter what industry you’re in, whether you’re moving a cart full of cookie dough or a flat bed of steel, the CartCaddy has all the power needed. Its compact size allows for maximum maneuverability around corners and through tight spaces.

Here’s a look at some of the top features of our best-selling cart puller:

* Our eco-friendly cart puller operates on three 12-volt batteries, with a charger that fits 120/220 Hrz outlets. One charge usually provides enough power to last through two shifts.

* The ergonomic design, with features such as a variable speed twist grip, helps reduce repetitive motion injuries.

* A 3 MPH capacity means the puller can easily keep pace with its operator, eliminating the frustration of stop-and-start delays.

* The safety stop switch, conveniently located at the back of the handlebar box, brings the puller to an immediate stop, preventing damage and injury from collisions.

As one of our satisfied customers recently expressed, “The machine has worked reliably for several months and is easy to use. I would recommend it for anyone that needs a small, yet powerful, cart towing truck.”

Want to Learn More?

Find out more about this product and the DJ Products trailer dolly line. We have wheeled cart moving solutions for trailers, cargo trailers, RV’s, semi-trailers, and boat trailers. We have wheeled cart moving solutions for trailers, cargo trailers, RV’s, semi-trailers, and boat trailers.

DJ Products makes a full range of tugs, movers and pushers to solve all your material handling needs. Call 800.686.2651 to learn more from our cheerful Sales Engineers.

Top Warehouse and Business Disrupters to Be Watching in 2019

Warehousing Trends to Watch

Warehouses are always in need of efficient equipment such as industrial tugs, but ever-evolving digital technology creates a flow of disruptions that affect small and mid-sized businesses (SMB). These disrupters have been particularly fast and furious over the last 20 years.

Here are some of the top SMB disruptors experts anticipate over the next year. Is your warehouse prepared for change?

Data Ethics

When it comes to data collection, technology has been a double-edged sword. Companies have unprecedented amounts of information at their fingertips, but customers fear excessive intrusions into their privacy. Create a formal and specific data usage policy and make sure it’s clearly communicated to customers.

Machine Learning

Machine learning is essentially an inversion of traditional computer programming. Instead of hard-coding logic into software, engineers define the results they’re looking for and the machine algorithm works backwards to determine its own logic. Most internal and customer-facing SMB software programs are expected to integrate machine learning by 2020.

Conversational User Interfaces

Conversational user interfaces such as chatbots have already revolutionized customer-facing functions, but they’re increasingly being used for internal processes as well. Examples include virtual employee onboarding and online knowledge management systems.

Blockchain

At this point, blockchain is associated primarily with cryptocurrencies such as bitcoin. The underlying technology, in which data transactions are linked and recorded on a public network, is being adapted for applications like ensuring product quality along every step in the supply chain.

Let Industrial Tugs from DJ Products Carry You into the Future

Our electric industrial tugs help maximize productivity in your warehouse, freeing you up to focus on implementing upgraded technology solutions. Visit our website and use our online chat feature for prompt assistance from our knowledgeable sales engineers.

Encourage Safety in Your Warehouse with Safety Walkarounds

Hard Hats Save Lives, Folks. Wear Them!

Use of our electric industrial tugs demonstrates your commitment to employee welfare. Make workplace safety a permanent part of your company culture by conducting regular walkarounds to promote ongoing safety awareness.

What should you focus on during warehouse walkarounds? The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recommends a three-step process for safety inspections.

Before the Inspection

– Never do a “cold” walkaround. Take time beforehand to completely understand warehouse operations and review any previously identified safety issues.

– Talk to managers and supervisors about any specific concerns they may have.

– Wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).

During the Inspection

– Limit walkaround participants to a handful of people. Larger groups may intimidate workers and prevent open communication.

– Look for hazards such as blocked aisles and doorways, exposed electrical wiring, and sloppy work areas.

– Solicit employee input as much as possible. Reassure workers that your goal is to spot and solve problems, not point fingers.

– As you go, make a list of identified hazards and prioritize them based on risk level.

After the Inspection

– Lack of follow-through dooms many workplace programs. Employees will be more engaged and cooperative when they see you taking action on findings.

– Create a hazard abatement plan specifying a course of action and timeline for addressing each issue discovered on the walkaround.

– Share the plan with both supervisors and employees and provide progress updates.

– If you don’t already have one, form a warehouse safety committee to help further integrate safety education and awareness in daily workplace operations.

Make Industrial Tugs from DJ Products Part of Your Safety Program

Customers say ergonomically designed industrial tugs such as our best-selling CartCaddyShorty are “like having an extra employee.” Our cheerful sales engineers are available to help through our convenient online chat feature.

Encourage Safety in Your Warehouse with Safety Walkarounds

Managing Your Warehouse by Walking Around

What should you focus on during warehouse walkarounds? The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recommends a three-step process for safety inspections.

Before the Inspection

– Never do a “cold” walkaround. Take time beforehand to completely understand warehouse operations and review any previously identified safety issues.

– Talk to managers and supervisors about any specific concerns they may have.

– Wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).

During the Inspection

– Limit walkaround participants to a handful of people. Larger groups may intimidate workers and prevent open communication.

– Look for hazards such as blocked aisles and doorways, exposed electrical wiring, and sloppy work areas.

– Solicit employee input as much as possible. Reassure workers that your goal is to spot and solve problems, not point fingers.

– As you go, make a list of identified hazards and prioritize them based on risk level.

After the Inspection

– Lack of follow-through dooms many workplace programs. Employees will be more engaged and cooperative when they see you taking action on findings.

– Create a hazard abatement plan specifying a course of action and timeline for addressing each issue discovered on the walkaround.

– Share the plan with both supervisors and employees and provide progress updates.

– If you don’t already have one, form a warehouse safety committee to help further integrate safety education and awareness in daily workplace operations.

Make Industrial Tugs from DJ Products Part of Your Safety Program

Process Improvements Help to Improve Damaged Stock Realities

Reviewing the Process Can Reduce Accidents and Damaged Materials

Damaged stock is one of the primary factors reducing warehouse and supply chain profitability. The impact can be direct, as in the case of incomplete orders, or indirect, such as when an accident injures an employee.

Anywhere from two percent to 11 percent of products received are already damaged, but the problem isn’t simply a matter of chance. Experts recommend use of tugger carts as one of the proactive ways to reduce the amount of damaged stock in your warehouse.

Improve Workflows

How is stock typically handled during day-to-day operations in your warehouse? Review the process from start to finish and look for areas of improvement, such as reducing the number of times a case is touched.

Use Material Handling Equipment Whenever Possible

Material handling equipment involves a significant financial investment, but the costs will be more than offset by less product damage and fewer job-related injuries.

Reassess Racking Systems

If the racking system is inadequate, it could result in improper storage which is a leading cause of damaged stock. In addition to upgrading racks, consider installing safety equipment such as column protectors and aisle shields.

Train Employees

Employees are on the front lines when it comes to handling and processing stock. Incorporate product awareness into your ongoing safety training workshops.

Build a Culture of Cleanliness

It sounds simple, but employees sometimes become lax about keeping the warehouse clean, whether it’s due to work deadlines or thoughtlessness. Create and enforce standards of cleanliness and hold employees accountable.

DJ Products Makes Tugger Carts to Solve Any Need

No matter what types of products are handled in your warehouse, we have a wide range of tugger carts to improve safety and productivity. Use our handy online chat feature to learn more.

How “The Airbnb of Warehouses” Is Revolutionizing E-Commerce

The boom in e-commerce has challenged retailers, who have limited warehouse space. A company dubbed “the Airbnb of warehouses” has stepped in to provide companies with a cost-effective solution.

Have Warehouse, Will Rent

The founders of Seattle-based Flexe were inspired by the offhand complaint of a friend who was struggling to acquire adequate warehouse space for his online business. They began by offering an “overflow” service pairing companies that had unused warehouse space with others that needed temporary storage.

Less than five years later, Flexe has 25 million square feet of storage and expects to add 10 million more in 2017. With zero dollars invested in facilities, Flexe can boast of better geographic coverage than industry titan Amazon.

More Solutions for E-Commerce Companies

In 2016 Flexe added online fulfillment services, which allows warehouse operators to charge additional prices to ship orders directly to customers. This has been an attractive option for companies who want the speedy shipping Amazon provides but still want a direct relationship with customers.

Flexe took another step forward in May when it launched an overnight delivery service. As the company’s co-founder Karl Siebrecht explains, e-retailers can now compete with Amazon Prime in price and delivery while continuing to build their own brand.

Streamline Operations with Warehouse Tugs from DJ Products

Customer satisfaction depends on timely movement of products through the supply chain. Electric warehouse tugs like our popular CartCaddyShorty let a single employee safely move loads up to 3,000 pounds through tight quarters and up and down inclines.

Visit our website and use the online chat feature for real-time assistance from one of our sales engineers.