We take a look at the economic and emotional costs of physical injury in the workplace...and how robotic automation saves the day! In manufacturing circles, the topic of workplace safety is, or most definitely should be, a forefront issue in the minds of most employers. Creating a safe and productive workplace environment rests firmly on knowledge. Knowing your rights and, more importantly, your responsibilities is paramount. A simple click on the WorkSafe Victoria website reveals a host of manual handling injuries in direct correlation with our industry, and in particular, to palletizing. The website describes manual handling as, “using your body to exert force to handle, support or restrain any object.” The act of lifting, pushing, pulling, holding, lowering, carrying, packing or assembling any objects, heavy or light, is considered manual handling. WorkSafe Victoria reports that manual handling is the biggest cause of workplace injury in the state! With more than 10,000 injuries as a result of unsafe manual handling practices. Prevalent injuries in the form of musculoskeletal disorders to the shoulders, lower back, abdomen and knees are sometimes irreparable, all by doing the seemingly simple task of bending, twisting and reaching. The good news is that WorkSafe’s statistics reflect a notable reduction in the number of musculoskeletal disorders reported when the task is automated. For instance, a statistical summary prepared by WorkSafe documented that the manufacturing industry saw a decrease from 9,302 claims made in 2000/01 to 6,291 claims in 2008/09. Enter the robot! The ease and speed in which a robot can perform a task like palletizing is phenomenal. Not only to cope with growing production expectations and the need for flexibility, integrating a robot is a proven way to ensure workplace safety! Of course, it is essential to remember that once a manufacturing task is robotically automated the role of workplace safety doesn’t end. Operating a secure robotic environment involves an entirely new set of protocols; otherwise you’re simply replacing the risk of injury from manual handling to something entirely more hazardous.Fortunately, there are specialist robotic integrators who are experts at providing an array of safety options and instructing the manufacturer on which ones are the most appropriate for their application. How Safety SavesNaturally in any fast-paced business, it not only makes sense to be a responsible employer but to be fiscally conscience as well. In Australia, the cost associated with workplace accidents and injury is astounding! According to WorkSafe Victoria’s 2008/09 Statistical Summary, from September 1985 until June 2009; an average of almost $65,000 per claim has been paid out for musculoskeletal injuries in the manufacturing sector. These figures are further exacerbated by factors such as increased workcover premiums, the time and money to retrain staff, possible legal costs if there was negligence involved not to mention the silent but equally damaging implications of bad PR and dwindling staff morale. There is no telling what a workplace injury might end up costing your business…and that is something that no business can afford gamble with.By Wade Leslie