PLANT & MACHINERY SAFETY
A RACKING REVOLUTION
As more companies look towards
automation to save costs and minimise downtime, the key is for man and
machine to work seamlessly together, supporting each other’s roles to improve logistics operations, and to create a safer workforce.
Automation is changing the way we work, and clever devices and machines are finding their way in to almost every industry, especially logistics and manufacturing, where picking automation and electric industrial vehicles are already at work in many warehouses.
The key to successful automation is to identify the most dull and laborious tasks – those that suffer most at the hands of human error - and consider how these can be automated with minimum disruption to business.
A-SAFE’s new product innovation RackEye™ is an automation device that will streamline existing process, and the intensive labour and potential for human error associated with manual racking checks.
“PICKING AUTOMATION AND
ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL VEHICLES ARE ALREADY AT WORK IN MANY WAREHOUSES.”
RackEye monitors vibration and impact to racking structures, alerting users remotely when damage is detected, so employees can intersect and take action. The combined device, remote app and digital dashboard provides round-the-clock monitoring of racking integrity and real-time alerts when damage occurs, meaning facility managers can control a multi-site network of racking structures from any location. It is also incredibly precise, detecting damage that is not obvious to the human eye or hidden behind racking protection.
As well as manual racking checks, warehouses and facilities have to rely on verbal reports from employees when racking has been damaged – but as a collision is mostly caused by someone being careless or straying from process, this means the problem often isn’t brought to anyone’s attention, let alone resolved safely. Even manual racking checks have their limitations – the most dangerous time for racking integrity is the moment an inspection has finished and the unsupervised ‘dead time’ until the next inspection.
The role of RackEye™ is to fill this void, using A-SAFE’s own patented SenseSafe algorithm to continuously monitor levels of impact, and send instant alerts when damage
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has been detected. The integrated intelligence technology, designed at A-SAFE’s in-house Research & Development Centre, can differentiate between minor bumps and impacts causing damage.
Once a racking leg is damaged, the individual device attached to that rack leg signals nominated users via email, a push notification through the RackEye app, and flashing LEDs on the device itself. Instructions for remedial action are provided through the app depending on the level of risk, and all activity is recorded digitally, removing the need for paper-based reports, enabling racking data to be analysed and cross referenced over time.
Materials handling automation can improve processes and lower operational costs, but it can also have a positive effect on health and safety.
RackEyeTM can do what employees can’t – providing
notification and intelligence on damage. The device then relies on employees to check the damage thoroughly, attaching photographs and specific incident-related information, and take the necessary remedial action to restore health and safety.
Whilst the thought of warehouse automation might be a concern for employees, in this case, RackEyeTM
doesn’t
replace the need for employees, but it supports and simplifies their role so the device can work in conjunction with a workforce.
Using technology to detect racking impacts has its benefits; proving more reliable, permanent and precise, unaffected by tiredness, attention span and lack of training. It also has the advantage of making workers more accountable and therefore more careful, leading to safer driving practices and reduced incidents in the first place.
Luke Smith, Co-Director of A-SAFE said: “The increase in racking incidents and injuries highlights the urgent need for an intelligent monitoring device like RackEyeTM
.
This first-to-market product is the result of listening to our customers and the problems they face daily. It allows warehouses to maintain their racking health and general workplace safety, preventing accidents across the materials handling industry.”
www.asafe.com/A-Safe www.tomorrowshs.com
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