Various risky steps and procedures are doing handling of material. Manual methods contribute a lot to risk factors like health and different injuries which result in a massive cost of medical treatment. 

Productivity may decline due to unsafe working, leading the industry to the era of the black period. It will indirectly affect the employee, and confidence will shatter, he/she may feel less worthy or useless after such events. So, for an organization following safety measures are necessary to ensure safe handling of material:

Absolute practice strong roots

Complete training acts as the pivot in the success of any operational task. Material handling devices require trained operators who can operate them without any ambiguity. For this purpose, certified employees can help in better handling of material. It will have the following features:

• Employers should know about pressure requirements require by machines to outperform.
• Working principles of different carriers & conveyor machines
• Equipment is fragmented into different sections, so knowledge of proper installation is necessary.
• Understanding of different modes and functions of electronic devices.
• Hazards result from manual handling.

Safeguards outfits & accessories 

Specific accessories and outfits can protect a worker from any injury. The organization must consider the safety of workers before work. The organization must provide worker safety accessories like: 

• Head can be protected by hats and helmets made up of strong material to protect from brain injury.
• The body can be covered by wearing thermal-free suits or other kinds of cases based on work and organization. An employee can doff himself in a protective dress. The dress should be breathable and allow the passing of air in and out. It must be comfortable.
• Face the most crucial part of the body, which is always exposed to everything. Using Goggles can protect it, an inhalator and a respiratory mask, and full sheets available for protection.
• Audacity refers to hearing ability, which the loudest noisy environment can exploit. Here earbuds and muffins can protect one’s hearing ability.
• Limbs refer to the hand, foot, legs, and arms. The specific protective dress is also available like knee pads, gloves, legs, arm wrapper, etc. 

Consider Ergonomic Factors

 Those factors which are causing harm to humans must be minimized. Key aspects are gesture and movement with posture, repetition of motion, specific actions like uplifting of material, etc. These occur mostly in manual handling; automated handling facilitates the employee and industry both. Timely screening of all ergonomic factors is necessary for reducing injuries and harms.

Utilization of the Latest Equipment

The organization can upgrade their old equipment and devise to the most developed technologies like conveyors, industrial trucks, and cranes. This equipment work on the principle of artificial intelligence programmed and designed by software engineers. It could enhance the safety of employees during material handling. Organizations and industries can experience infinite work and production by utilizing the latest automated gadgets and equipment. For example, Deck Builders Wollongong workers can complete a single project in less than a month.

Pre-Inspection

It is just like a demo, and a trial activity performed to check the working condition and probability of certain diseases. In material handling, an experienced safety manager can visually inspect the procedure and gadgets to ensure workers and the organization’s safety. It includes the following features:

• Checking operational manuals to ensure no misguidance is provided.
• Inspecting internal and external surfaces of machines to ensure no leakage or crack or porosity will occur.
• Lubricating the old equipment for smooth performance.
• Cleaning of dusty and rusty components.
• Connecting dots like cables and plugs.
• Checking working and functionality of risk determining devices like a fire alarm, short circuits detector, etc.

Employ Health Screening

Regular and timely health screening is necessary as most of the work is done by the employees, especially the labour class. They pass through some phases like different postures, twisting, and uplifting of material during material handling. It sometimes causes fatigue. If there is a considerable workload, then there should be some substitute. There should be a health screening department in every organization where an employee’s health must be checked promptly.

Conclusion

Whether it is manual or automated handling of material, it requires some safety measures to be taken. Although technology is advancing every day, it doesn’t guarantee safety. So, proper guidance and training are crucial for employees who are handling the material.

Evaluation is an essential step in the industry before making any further decision about the business. It determines the program’s efficiency like how much a system works and is produced during a specific period. Based on the evaluation, certain new policies can be implemented to gain more benefits in terms of profit from the system. 

Evaluation score determines whether that system is sustainable, can be used for an extended period, or needs some modifications. Here we will discuss how to evaluate material handling system we will discuss various approaches that are being used for analysis:

Using Multi-Attributes Decision Approach

In this approach, different attributes are being used for the analysis and evaluation of material handling systems. Details involve the labour cost, work done, inventory cost, product quality and quantity, unit installation and maintenance cost, physical space occupied by the processing unit, and flexibility of the system. 

This approach will consider all the mentioned above parameters in terms of calculation and methodology adaptation. The outcome may be in the form of a graph describing investment cost and producing output in terms of profit margin. Let say an organization invests 1 billion in the overall set up at the end of the month that organization will consider all the attributes and evaluate the material handling system in terms of performance and calculate its net profit.

Comparing a differently designed system

Comparative contrast can provide vital insights into the evaluation of material handling systems. We have two different material handling methods; one is working more efficiently while the other is lagging. Here the difference will highlight its performance and differentiate it from another system in terms of performance, flexibility, and output.

Simulation Approach

It is a technology used to evaluate material handling systems such as robots, automated guided vehicles and electrified monorail systems. It is a tool used for the analysis of the system. Here the system model is constructed in software, and it is tested for various aspects and functions. All the equipment used in material handling systems is visually assembled on software using a personal computer, and then visuals are checked for its compatibility, durability, and feasibility. Companies like Bathroom Renovations Newcastle used a system like this to optimize their process.

In the past, engineers only used this approach. It is now implemented in every development sector to forecast the system output before starting and after some working period. Following are some possible benefits of using the simulation approach:

• Risk Analysis
• Changes required
• Capability test
• Cycles per minute
• Staff required
• Prevent Future Mistakes
• Aids Require
• Compatibility of business with the system
• Opportunity to experiment with different parameters

Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP)

Those which are very complex, intriguing perrons though. AHP helped there. It uses math techniques for analysis. Thomas L.Saaty introduced it in 1970. It has three key components:

• Ultimate aim/goal
• Possible Solution
• Alternative

A material handling system will help the organization find out the problem that is causing hindrance in their design and will finally look for a possible solution and suitable alternative. The main aim of this approach is to help in determining the right material handling system for the organization. 

Mostly high standard or multinational companies utilize this approach but in rare cases. AHP approach also boosts employee confidence as every aspect is considered in this approach.

In terms of time

The system can be evaluated in terms of time. For instance, if a system works efficiently, giving excellent output in less time means the system is working at its massive capability, utilizing the maximum capacity to provide maximum output. Otherwise, the scenario will be the opposite.

Contrast Gadget Ability

It is a kind of comparison between organizations using the same equipment for material handling systems. Evaluation can be done by comparing the individual performance given by each method at different companies.

Labor and Material 

It is known as the Material Handling Labor Ratio (MHL). Here labour efficacy will be calculated in terms of material. Like how much labour worked with a specific quantity of material. Like the individuals assigned as a workforce for a particular fabric.

 MHL = Personnel assigned to materials handling / Total operating workforce

 DLHL = Materials handling time lost of labour / Total direct labour time

Conclusion

Above were some evaluation methods for the material handling system. Those are several methods; there are many other methods. Choice of method selection depends upon organization framework and style of work. 

Every organization has its sets of rules, as every individual is different. Similarly, the organization also varies in management and regulation, the technology used and labour employed. But, one can utilize the approaches mentioned above if these are compatible with your material handling system. 

They are being employed or working as labour is not so easy. The person has to go through several tasks in day-to-day life. If an individual is working in an industry where they produce products from raw material, they must be efficient in material handling. 

Proper management of material will result in progressive outcomes and result in more production and more incentives. Before that person has to learn some primary material handling principles, although there are many principles, we will only have three core principles. Here we go:

Forethought & Standard Maintenance

It comprises strategies before the execution of work. Critical thinking plays a crucial role here. It is just like a step-by-step guide for the success of a project. Employees need to consider various aspects of the project before working and create a to-do list or a concise plan. It will impart a significant effect on overall performance. Here aims, operationalization, and feasibility will be kept in view.

Standard maintenance states that techniques or procedures used in maintaining material must be compliant with standards set by quality assurance institutes.

Sometimes, flexibility and modification are required in the framework of employees’ operational structure; it will ensure better material handling. For example, the International Organization for Standardization set some standards for different kinds of industries. 

So, every procedure or standard must be compliant with the standard set by ISO. It will be a sign of better performance with excellent product quality.

Human Capacity Bearing

Term somehow sounds wandering, but it is a scientific factor that talks about human capacity and work limitation. It is known as ergonomic. It states that work should not exceed human capability. It must be according to human rule. 

No person should exceed his/her working potential. If he/she does so, they will encounter various health disorders. If a candidate works like a machine, eventually he/she will experience physiological and psychological conditions with no set limit. 

Health will start depleting, ultimately affecting performance and the environment in the working space. 

Excessive work ➜ No limitation ➜ Poor Health ➜ Less Outcome ➜ Disturbing working environment ➜ termination of employ ➜ an overall negative impact on industry and family.

Don’t consider employees as a robot. Humans need timely rest, as the body is following the biological cycles and rhymes. The body always syncs with time reference and still has limits. If someone tries to deny that limits and laws, he/she will suffer contingent ailment, which affects the organization’s reputation.

Environment-Friendly Automation

At present technology is advancing and astonishing the world with gadgets that perform the task efficiently better than humans. Automation refers to the utilization of electronic equipment for the completion of any job. It results in a smooth workflow, consistency, effectiveness, and increased yield of products. 

Automation replaces the employees as work is being done by artificial humans like robots and other human assisting devices. The material will flow in a sequence with a series of events occurring spontaneously.

A sustainable environment is necessary for survival. Although technology is lifting every sector, it should be environment friendly. In the case of material handling, every aspect of the environment must be kept in view. Material handling or movement should not impact negatively. Whatever humans do with nature, nature will return in various forms. 

So, try to handle material, keeping in view the principle of environment. We can take an example of a Nuclear plant implanted in Russia in1960 for the production of electricity but unfortunately, the rays emitted by that plant affect the lives of humans.

Material handling is processing, preservation, movement, storage, delivery and control of goods and material. Any equipment that deals with these approaches can be marked as equipment for material handling. It is possible to break down these devices that are to do so used into four significant groups. These are followings:

• Bulk material handling
• Engineering System
• Industrial Truck

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OE7uXKzxpxY

Equipment for handling bulk material

The phrase ‘bulk material handling’ relates to management, packing and transportation of products either in loose or bulk form. The machinery is usually used to transfer flexible components from one part of the manufacturing plant to another. Handling bulk material for machinery or equipment may also be used in horizontal supply conveyor belts and advanced control elevators. Examples of machinery treating bulk goods are:

• Conveyors belts: It is a belt that moves for material transportation. These can be integrated into more sophisticated networks of conveyors, thus known to be engineered systems.
• Grain Elevators: This type of machinery is used to transfer and store grain and other related materials along a development route.
• Silos:  It is a tower used for storing grain and certain other products including lignite, sawdust, woodchips, and packaged foods.
• Stackers and reclaimers: It is a significant device for throwing stuff into piles or picking things back up afterwards.

Engineering system for material handling

One that is usually programmed in an integrated system. Usually, these kinds of material handling equipment are automatic systems that operate with each other to enable large products or large quantities of materials to be processed and distributed effectively across the factory floor. These include:

Automated storage and retrieval systems: AS/RS are large automatic systems that include shelving, cabinets, aisles and racks that are manageable by a mechanized shuttle device for the rapid retrieving of products.

• Robotic Delivery system: Such automated devices are suitable for transferring merchandise onto a production line or shipping goods around a factory or warehouse.
• Ergonomics: It is an ergonomic device used in a plant in several ways to assist staff in sorting and managing activities during Safeguarding and uplifting goods for the developmental process and spinning heavy angling loads.
• Industrial Robots: Robots are programmed with adequate consistency and efficiency to perform risky, messy and repetitive activities.

Industrial Trucks

To transport large amounts of materials across the factory floor, industrial trucks of certain types have been used. They are often used to safely and rapidly load and unload large items into supply vehicles. These include,

• Pallets Truck: Industrial forklifts that are manually or powered driven.
• Pallets Jacks: These are devices that are the most common type of forklift used inside a factory to pick and transfer pallets.
• Hand Trucks: A walk-behind pedestrian gantry crane with such a platform for lifting pallets to some heights.