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The Vertical Reciprocating Conveyer (VRC) Subcommittee of the Conveyor & Sortation Systems industry group is comprised of the industry’s leading suppliers of material lifts intended to meet the safety requirements of ASME B20.1 – Safety Standard for Conveyors and Related Equipment. These members design, manufacture, and install VRCs worldwide for use in a wide variety of industrial, commercial, and institutional operating environments. A VRC, Vertical Reciprocating Conveyors, also known as a freight lift, offers one of the most efficient ways of moving heavy materials up or down between two or more fixed levels. A VRC is a type of vertical conveyor and sortation system that is actuated by either electro-hydraulic or electro-mechanical means that allows you to move products between multiple levels by using a platform to lift or lower products. A VRC can be custom designed to move product between 2 to 10 levels carrying loads up to 200,000 pounds at varying speeds. A VRC is designed to move materials only and is not designed to carry passengers or an operator. VRCs are used within manufacturing, retail, wholesale, or distribution facilities where one or more overhead storage, floors or mezzanines are utilized. They are highly customizable for any operating environment and footprint size. VRCs can be operated automatically or manually, or a combination of both. There are many types of VRCs, the most popular models use mechanical or hydraulic actuation, using cables, belts, or chains to hoist their platforms. VRC’s fall under ANSI B.20 code. VRC Subcommittee members meet regularly to review, discuss and implement programs which effectively communicate and promote the safe application, design, installation and operation of vertical reciprocating lifts. The VRC Programs Include: The publication and promotion of technical literature on the application, installation, training, inspection, safe use, and maintenance of VRCs. The ongoing review of, and revision to, nationally recognized safety standards which effect vertical reciprocating lifts. The discussion and adoption of industry best practices as it pertains to the application, design, installation, and safe operation of VRC equipment. The preparation and distribution of educational and promotional materials which explain the benefits of VRC equipment solutions. The regular review and discussion of regulatory and legislative activity – at the federal, state, and local levels – which may effect the vertical reciprocating lift industry, and respond to that activity as an industry when deemed necessary. The establishment of liaison relationships with those private and governmental agencies establishing policy which effects the application and use of VRC equipment and technology.
VALUE STATEMENT CSS MISSION & VISION STATEMENT Mission: Vision: To promote the market growth, awareness, and effective use of traditional and emerging conveyor /sortation technologies in manufacturing, warehousing, distribution within the supply chain. To be the trusted independent authority for practitioners and suppliers on market trends, technology developments, and applications through: ▪ Education On key features, advantages, and emerging technologies ▪ Challenges Addressing issues affecting our marketplace through practitioner outreach ▪ Resources Development and distribution of educational materials ▪ Collaboration Of manufacturers & technology providers ▪ Promotion Promotion of career opportunities within the industry VALUE STATEMENT To CSS Customers To CSS Members Trusted since 1971 as Leaders in the design, manufacturing, and supply of Conveyor and Sortation Systems Equipment, Components, and Technology. Unique networking opportunities. Investing in conveyor and sortation solutions in unique ways over time, including giving back through college scholarships, and practitioner and manufacturer education. Can provide practitioners with access to a wide range of perspectives and solutions, and as a collective of manufacturers, are genuinely invested in customer success. LEARN MORE ABOUT CSS MEMBERS >> Provide opportunities for industry education, leadership, and increased market presence. Lend your company the collective credibility of its industry leading members that has been established over its over 50 years as an organization. Provide exposure to practitioners. Access to data on industry trends, emerging technologies, and other market intelligence data. JOIN CSS TODAY >> 1 Market Intelligence 2 Networking & Access to Industry Peers CSS MISSION & VISION STATEMENT - Market forecasts and economic indicator monitoring - Industry commodity forecasts - Leadership development - Networking with other subject matter experts throughout the industry - Trend monitoring - Peer to peer interaction which promotes collaboration and industry betterment 3 3 CSS Members are recognized as Market Leaders - Offer collaborative responses to regulatory changes - Are invested in the promotion, safety, and success of the conveyor and sortation systems industry - Have been recognized as industry leaders since 1971 - Are Subject Matter Experts 4 Increased Exposure to Practitioners & Increased Business Opportunities - Web-based case studies provide potential solutions and increase engagement with practitioners - Blogs for Industry Awareness and Promotion - Practitioner Educational Publications OUR STRUCTURE
Bastian Solutions, a Toyota Automated Logistics company, is a trusted supply chain integration partner committed to providing their clients a competitive advantage by designing and delivering world-class distribution & production solutions. The expertise delivered includes exceptional results through a proven process of analytical consulting, engineering & design, simulation, project management, installation services & post-installation support, while sourcing the best material handling equipment & automation technologies available. With innovation at the forefront, the company also develops Exacta supply chain software, conveyor & sortation systems, custom automated material-handling equipment, robotics, autonomous vehicles & robotic shuttles, & state-of-the art industrial controls. Bastian Solutions focuses on having a strong, unified relationship with all clients; serving domestic and global markets covering the United States, Canada, India, Mexico & South America.
KPI Solutions is an end-to-end warehousing and distribution solutions provider, offering supply chain consulting, warehouse software, systems integration, and automation. We partner with our customers to analyze, design, implement, and support a full range of customized supply chain solutions that elevate distribution performance, provide competitive advantage, and enable growth. Our data-driven, technology-neutral approach transforms operations with automation to boost fulfillment speed, reduce reliance on labor, and improve agility. Our full-service capabilities include supply chain consulting, engineered concept design, automated systems integration, warehouse software, and lifetime support services. Our Solutions: Automated Storage & Retrieval Systems Automated Guided Vehicle Systems Carousels Consulting & Professional Services Controls & Controlling Devices Conveyors Order picking & E-Commerce fulfillment Sortation Equipment Systems Integration Services Vertical Lift Module
At JR Automation, we are transforming how the world's leading companies make and distribute products. A critical area of this is warehousing, where we have decades of experience utilizing robotics to improve palletizing (including mixed SKU palletization), depalletizing, sortation, singulation, picking, packaging, kitting and more. Whether you are a manufacturer, 3PL, or carrier, we have the expertise to help you succeed. Our global team of engineers will work with you to develop tailored solutions that fit your goals and budget. We can collaborate with any supplier or equipment, providing the flexibility to design the perfect warehouse automation system for you. By implementing robotics in critical areas, we will help you overcome labor challenges, increase accuracy, improve safety, and provide the reliability your customers demand.
SAVOYE North America is a customized logistics solutions engineering company that provides manual, semi-manual, mechanized, highly automated or robotic turn key material handling systems. These systems can include any of the technologies SAVOYE manufactures or produces (X-PTS shuttles, Goods-to-Person pick stations, Intelis conveyor, AiRVOS™ warehouse execution software, Odatio warehouse management software, Jivaro case erecting and sealing equipment). SAVOYE North America also offers integration services of 3rd party equipment consisting of high-speed case sortation conveyors, unit sortation (cross belt, tilt tray, bombay), AGVs, AMRs, mini or unit load cranes, robotics, vertical carrousels, palletizers, mezzanines, storage racking, and shelving.
The Conveyors & Sortation Systems (CSS) and Solutions Community (SoCO) Industry Group of MHI is pleased to announce the approval of Itoh Denki’s application to join CSS at the 2025 Spring Meeting held May 4-6 in Houston, Texas.MHI member companies have the opportunity to join any of MHI’s Industry Groups or the Solutions Community. Industry Groups share information and conduct research to stay at the forefront of their industry. Typical Industry Group activities include industry statistics collection, standards development, technical publications, public relations, promotion of safety, and member and user education. The Solutions Community brings MHI members together with equipment and systems users to collaborate and address common challenges and opportunities in manufacturing and supply chain in a safe harbor environment.For more information about MHI Industry Groups, please visit mhi.org/industrygroups. To learn more about CSS, please visit mhi.org/CSS or contact Jayesh Mehta at jmehta@mhi.org. To learn more about Solutions Community, please visit mhi.org/solutionscommunity or contact Christian Dowd at cdowd@mhi.org.About CSS Trusted since 1971 as Leaders in the design, manufacturing, and supply Conveyor and Sortation Systems Equipment, Components, and Technology. CSS aims to promote market growth, awareness, and effective use of traditional and emerging conveyor/sortation technologies in manufacturing, warehousing, and distribution. Member companies can provide end users with access to a wide range of perspectives and solutions, and, as a collective of manufacturers, are genuinely invested in customer success.About Solutions Community Solutions Community members are the industry’s thought leaders on automation, software, hardware, equipment and services that support a fully integrated supply chain. This includes suppliers, integrators, consultants, media, academia and users. They collaborate on solutions worldwide and in virtually every major manufacturing and distribution sector. All participants adhere to a safe harbor no-buy, no-sell environment to openly discuss topics of mutual interest, including best practices, lessons learned and other information.About MHI MHI is an international trade association that has represented the material handling, logistics and supply chain industry since 1945. MHI’s over 1,000 members include material handling and logistics equipment and systems manufacturers, integrators, consultants, publishers and third-party logistics providers. MHI offers education, networking and solution sourcing for their members, the members’ customers and the industry as a whole through programming and events. The association sponsors the ProMat and MODEX expos to showcase the products and services of its member companies and to educate manufacturing and supply chain professionals.
The Conveyors & Sortation Systems (CSS) and Scan, Label, Apply, Manifest (SLAM) Industry Group of MHI is pleased to announce the approval of Engineering Innovation’s application to join CSS at the 2025 Spring Meeting held May 4-6 in Houston, Texas.MHI member companies have the opportunity to join any of MHI’s Industry Groups or the Solutions Community. Industry Groups share information and conduct research to stay at the forefront of their industry. Typical Industry Group activities include industry statistics collection, standards development, technical publications, public relations, promotion of safety, and member and user education. The Solutions Community brings MHI members together with equipment and systems users to collaborate and address common challenges and opportunities in manufacturing and supply chain in a safe harbor environment.For more information about MHI Industry Groups, please visit mhi.org/industrygroups. To learn more about CSS, please visit mhi.org/CSS or contact Jayesh Mehta at jmehta@mhi.org. To learn more about SLAM, please visit mhi.org/SLAM or contact Christian Dowd at cdowd@mhi.org.About CSSTrusted since 1971 as Leaders in the design, manufacturing, and supply Conveyor and Sortation Systems Equipment, Components, and Technology. CSS aims to promote market growth, awareness, and effective use of traditional and emerging conveyor/sortation technologies in manufacturing, warehousing, and distribution. Member companies can provide end users with access to a wide range of perspectives and solutions, and, as a collective of manufacturers, are genuinely invested in customer success.About SLAM SLAM members meet regularly to discuss the industry and promote the best and largest possible market for end-of-line technologies and systems, emphasizing the best interest of the user. Member companies aim to be the authoritative resource for transforming today’s end of line fulfillment operations to address tomorrow’s challenges by defining and evaluating best practices for the marketplace.About MHIMHI is an international trade association that has represented the material handling, logistics and supply chain industry since 1945. MHI’s over 1,000 members include material handling and logistics equipment and systems manufacturers, integrators, consultants, publishers and third-party logistics providers. MHI offers education, networking and solution sourcing for their members, the members’ customers and the industry as a whole through programming and events. The association sponsors the ProMat and MODEX expos to showcase the products and services of its member companies and to educate manufacturing and supply chain professionals.
The Material Handling Education Foundation, Inc. (MHEFI) is proud to announce it has awarded an unprecedented $278,000 in scholarships to 71 exceptional students for the 2025/2026 academic year. This milestone marks the largest total in MHEFI’s history and underscores its commitment to supporting the next generation of material handling professionals.Scholarships were awarded to full-time undergraduate students pursuing studies in material handling, logistics, and/or supply chain management. To qualify, recipients were required to maintain at least a “B” average in their major. Awards ranged from $1,500 to $6,000 and must be applied toward tuition, fees, or textbooks related to the students’ academic programs.MHEFI would like to congratulate the following scholarship recipients: Colleen Andrews, Michigan State University, Material Handling Education Foundation Honor Scholarship, $5,000 Aaron Ayodeji, Washington and Lee, Material Handling Education Foundation Honor Scholarship, $5,000 Erin Barker, Louisiana State University, Rack Manufacturers Institute Honor Scholarship Sponsored by ASG Services, $5,000 Hunter Bent, Bradley University, Hanel Storage Systems Honor Scholarship, $2,000 Baker Bertrand, University of Kearney, Liz Richards Honor Scholarship Sponsored by MHEDA , $5,000 Griffin Bittel, Auburn University, Material Handling Education Foundation Honor Scholarship, $5,000 Jonanthan Blatt, Oklahoma State University, Rack Manufacturers Institute Honor Scholarship Sponsored by ASG Services, $5,000 Ethan Blesie, North Dakota State University, Lift Honor Scholarship, $2,850 Blake Bollow, University of Wisconsin - Platteville, Hoist Manufacturers Institute/Monorail Manufacturers of America Honor Scholarship, $2,300 Kasey Boukhong, Virginia Tech, Frazier Industrial Honor Scholarship, $5,000 Mason Bowers, Ohio State University, Material Handling Education Foundation Honor Scholarship, $5,000 Lilly Chado, University of Maryland, The Mike Laurent Honor Scholarship Sponsored by The Donald Revels Memorial Fund, $2,000 Boutaina Charrat, Western Illinois University, Automated Storage & Retrieval Systems Honor Scholarship, $5,500 Cammy DeFeo, Virginia Tech, The Donna Varner Honor Scholarship, $5,000 Alexis Denny, Michigan State University, Scan Label Apply Manifest (SLAM) Honor Scholarship, $5,000 Luke Diener, Oklahoma State University, Expert Crane Honor Scholarship, $2,250 Rachel Endsley, University of Tennessee, Mobile Automation Group Honor Scholarship, $4,400 Clarissa Escobar, Texas A&M University, Material Handling Education Foundation Honor Scholarship, $5,000 Aleia Frye, University of Pittsburgh, Gorbel, Inc. Honor Scholarship, $3,000 Davis Gillen, Texas A&M University, Southworth International Group, Inc. Honor Scholarship, $2,500 Kai Halpin, UC Irvine, Seizmic, Inc./LAMHMS Honor Scholarship - CA School, $2,000 Sophia Han, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, Rack Manufacturers Institute Honor Scholarship Sponsored by ASG Services, $5,000 Sofie Hancock, Auburn University, Material Handling Education Foundation Honor Scholarship, $5,000 Adam Hartman, Oklahoma State University, Automation Controls Electrification (ACE) Honor Scholarship, $3,000 Aliona Heitz, Stevens Institute of Technology, Material Handling Education Foundation Honor Scholarship, $5,000 Jackson Hill, University of Wisconsin - Madison, Bastian Family Scholarship, $2,500 Joan Jaiyeoba, Texas Tech University, Ergonomic Assist Systems & Equipment Honor Scholarship, $3,300 Jacob James, Purdue University, James Galante Memorial Scholarship Sponsored by Southworth International Group, $1,500 Augusta Jones, Auburn University, Material Handling Education Foundation Honor Scholarship, $5,000 Ayla Julien-Vinuela, University of South Florida, The Robotics Group Honor Scholarship, $4,400 Viraj Kothari, University of North Carolina - Asheville, The Dan Quinn Honor Scholarship Sponsored by The Donald Revels Memorial Fund, $2,000 Alexandra Laskonis, Miami University, Willard P. Heddles Memorial Scholarship, $5,000 Chloe Lin, University of Pennsylvania, The George W. Prest Honor Scholarship, $5,000 Emmett Looman, University of Cincinnati, Material Handling Education Foundation Honor Scholarship, $5,000 William Lovell, University of Arkansas, Protective Guarding Manufacturers Association Honor Scholarship, $3,000 Michael Macharia, Wright State, Automation Controls Electrification (ACE) Honor Scholarship, $3,000 Toju Maku, Penn State University, Loading Dock Equipment Manufacturers Honor Scholarship, $3,100 Youssef Mansour, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Material Handling Education Foundation Honor Scholarship, $5,000 Elliott Mascena, University of Tennessee, The Bill Capps Honor Scholarship Sponsored by The Donald Revels Memorial Fund, $2,000 Dayton McCall, Oklahoma State University, The Robotics Group Honor Scholarship, $4,400 Elanor Mehen, Oklahoma State University, Brian McNamara Honor Scholarship Sponsored by Southworth International Group, $1,500 Tienna Mensah, Purdue University, Crane Manufacturers Association of America Honor Scholarship, $6,000 Theodore Miller, Oregon State University, Steel King Industries Honor Scholarship, $2,000 Chibuzor Nwaeme, Widener University, Material Handling Education Foundation Honor Scholarship, $5,000 Zachary Orvis, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities, The John Nofsinger Honor Scholarship Sponsored by The Donald Revels Memorial Fund, $2,000 Parshv Patel, Stanford University, Conveyor & Sortation Systems Honor Scholarship, $5,000 Rushang Patel, Texas A&M University, UNEX Manufacturing Honor Scholarship, $2,250 Mira Patel, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities, Ridg-U-Rak Honor Scholarship, $2,000 Jacob Plotts, Sam Houston State University, Richard Dilling Memorial Scholarship, $5,000 Cole Pollard, Texas A&M University, Liz Richards Honor Scholarship Sponsored by MHEDA, $5,000 Rajnish Poudel, Mississippi State University, Al Wurz Scholarship $5,000 Lynnlin Qiao, University of Washington, The Tom Carbott Honor Scholarship Sponsored by The Donald Revels Memorial Fund, $2,000 Nicole Quiram, Virginia Tech, Protective Guarding Manufacturers Association Honor Scholarship, $3,600 Grace Renk, University of Minnesota, Al Wurz Scholarship), $5,000 Grant Robertson, Virginia Tech, Rack Manufacturers Institute Honor Scholarship Sponsored by ASG Services, $5,000 Hailey Ruddick, Michigan State University, Material Handling Education Foundation Honor Scholarship, $5,000 Rahul Sah, Mississippi State University, Conveyor & Sortation Systems Honor Scholarship, $3,250 Esteban Salas Serrano, University of Michigan, Richard Dilling Memorial Scholarship, $5,000 Jude Sanborn, Virginia Tech, Daniel Clapp Memorial Scholarship Sponsored by RMI, $5,000 Nathan Schlegel, West Virginia University, Bastian Family Scholarship, $2,500 Sophia Schneider, Iowa State University, Solutions Community Honor Scholarship, $2,750 Andrew Schultz, University of Tennessee, Material Handling Education Foundation Honor Scholarship, $5,000 Riley Scott, Texas A&M University, Liz Richards Honor Scholarship Sponsored by MHEDA, $5,000 Jackson Shellhaas, Wright State, Crane Manufacturers Association of America Honor Scholarship, $4,600 Anna Sidoti, University of Tennessee, Material Handling Education Foundation Honor Scholarship, $5,000 Maaya Tsukada, University of South Florida, Storage Manufacturers Association Honor Scholarship, $3,300 Beverly Ukoha, University of New Haven, Crane Manufacturers Association of America Honor Scholarship, $6,000 Satchel Vaughn, University of Tennessee, Material Handling Education Foundation Honor Scholarship, $5,000 Ella Webb, University of Tennessee, St. Onge Company Honor Scholarship, $2,500 Sarah Witte, University of Arizona, Irving M. Footlik, PE Memorial Scholarship, $3,000 Aaron Zapolin, University of South Carolina, Solutions Community Honor Scholarship, $2,750Thank you to the generous companies and donors who support MHEFI’s vision to empower the future generation of supply chain leaders and have made these scholarships possible. For more information about the scholarships, contact Mary Alyson Ammons, MHEFI Executive Director, at mammons@mhi.org.About MHEFIThe Material Handling Education Foundation, Inc. (MHEFI) is an independent charitable organization that was established in 1976. Since 1976, our programs have supported over 1,000 students and educators seeking pathways to quality educational programs and fulfilling careers. The demands of today’s global economy and fast-paced technological change reinforce the need to draw top talent to sustain and strengthen material handling and supply chain businesses for the future. Learn more at mhi.org/mhefi.About MHIMHI is an international trade association that has represented the material handling, logistics and supply chain industry since 1945. MHI’s over 1,000 members include material handling and logistics equipment and systems manufacturers, integrators, consultants, publishers and third-party logistics providers. MHI offers education, networking and solution sourcing for their members, the members’ customers, and the industry as a whole through programming and events. The association sponsors the ProMat and MODEX expos to showcase the products and services of its member companies and to educate manufacturing and supply chain professionals. The Warehousing Education and Research Council (WERC) is a division of MHI and provides education and research to the warehousing, distribution, and logistics community.
Automated Material Handling Provider Relocates Innovation and Support Center to Larger Facility.(West Chester, Ohio) – Trew, LLC, a U.S.-owned and operated leader in automated material handling solutions, is excited to announce another major expansion in Southwest Ohio, the fourth in six years. The company has entered a long-term lease for 330,000 square feet of office and manufacturing space, bringing its total footprint in the region to nearly 595,000 square feet. Trew’s existing Innovation and Support Center will be relocated to this new, larger facility located less than one mile from its existing headquarters.The expansion is part of Trew’s strategic growth plan and commitment to bring jobs to the region. “We have grown by 280 teammates thus far and expect to add more,” said Alfred Rebello, CEO of Trew. “We are thankful for the continued support from the Ohio Department of Development, JobsOhio, and REDI Cincinnati.”The expanded Innovation and Support Center will house the Technology and Education (demonstration) Center and key functions including research and development, client support services, parts fulfillment, field material manufacturing, and project staging of finished goods."This expansion reflects our commitment to innovation, and outstanding customer service," said Rebello. "By increasing our capabilities and bringing our Innovation and Support Center closer to our headquarters, we are better positioned to collaborate, innovate, and continue on-time delivery of exceptional solutions to our clients.”Trew relocated its headquarters and Ohio-based manufacturing to the 10045 International Blvd, West Chester, Ohio, facility in 2024. The Innovation and Support Center, currently located in Fairfield, Ohio, will move to a facility at 5389 E Provident Dr, West Chester, Ohio, this summer. The move increases the size of the Innovation and Support Center by 30%, tripling the size of the Technology and Education Center and research and development footprint. Trew’s Milwaukee-based engineering and professional services will continue to operate in that facility, with warehouse and manufacturing operations moving to the expanded West Chester campus."We are deeply grateful to our dedicated clients, talented teammates and business partners, all of whom have been instrumental in our remarkable growth," continued Rebello. "We are committed to ensuring the move happens seamlessly, without disruptions to our operations or client projects so we all continue to win together, one of our core values."About TREWTrew is a vertically integrated automated material handling solutions provider for integrators and end users, including Warehouse Execution Systems (WES), Warehouse Control Systems (WCS), PLC-based machine controls, sortation equipment, conveyor systems and services such as concepting, engineering, technical support, parts, field service and training. Serving the North American retail, warehouse, distribution, manufacturing, and e-commerce industries, Trew’s experienced staff and broad network of integrator partners enable uncommonly smart solutions tailored for the client’s business. Learn more at trewautomation.com.ContactJerry Koch513.342.3725Jerry.Koch@trewautomation.com
Conveyor and sortation equipment is essential for optimizing material handling systems. CSS educates the industry on key features, advantages, and emergingtechnologies while addressing market challenges through outreach. It provides valuable educational resources, promotes collaboration between manufacturers andtechnology providers, networking and supports career growth in the sector to drive innovation.
Description of Types of Conveyor and Sortation Systems
Introduction to Conveyor and Sortation Systems: Conveyors and sortation systems allow for more efficient movement of materials within retail, wholesale, distribution, and manufacturing operations. Because they are engineered to transport and organize large volumes of materials rapidly through a process, conveyors and sortation equipment save labor expense and increase handling productivity.
To complement a new educational video, thought leaders representing the Protective Guarding Manufacturers Association (ProGMA), an MHI product group, discuss the importance of protecting personnel, equipment, and inventory in industrial facilities.ProGMA has recently launched the second in a series of videos about the importance of protective guarding products in the material handling industry. The video titled “Proper Safeguarding for Elevated Work Platforms” followed the inaugural, educational video titled, “Essential Safety Barriers for Automated / Robotic Workcells”. (http://www.mhi.org/progma/videos)Here, representatives of member companies expand on the themes explored within the latest video in the group’s first blog.Before we start, says Arlin Keck, corporate research and development engineer at Steel King (a manufacturer of pallet racks, mezzanines and guardrails), it’s important to clarify what we mean by “mezzanine” in this context. “The technical term for what my company and other members make is work platforms. Mezzanine was an old term for these systems; however, the word mezzanine had to be dropped because mezzanine, as defined in the building codes, refers to a specified type of floor within a building structure and carries with it added requirements for fire safety, egress, parking, and so on,” Keck explains.A typical work platform is design to support the site-specific load that will be placed on the floor, be it palletized loads, pallet jacks, foot traffic, work equipment, filing cabinets, racking or shelving units, to name just a few possibilities.Keck says that the main purpose of an elevated work platform is to add additional floor space into a building or room by taking advantage of surplus ceiling clearance that may exist in a warehouse or manufacturing facility. Aaron Conway, president at Mezzanine Safeti-Gates Inc. (a manufacturer of safety gates to secure the ledges of pallet drop areas on mezzanines and rack picking systems), says, “A company that has utilized all of its ground space can build upward. An elevated platform allows one to use the space for workflow or to store product.”As Hue Schlegel, director of marketing at Wildeck Inc. (a manufacturer of mezzanines and work platforms), puts it, “Move up, not out.” He adds, “Depending on the available height in a building, platforms can be one, two, or three levels high, with the most common height being 10 ft. top-of-deck and supporting a floor load of 125 lbs. per square foot. Their length and width are only limited by facility size.” Importantly, he explains, they cannot occupy more than two thirds of a fire-rated area within a building.Keck says work platforms are also used to create catwalks between separated platforms, and to serve as sortation and conveyance areas for mechanized systems. Conway agrees, adding, “Companies that supply elevated work platforms can fabricate them in virtually any configuration. They can be designed to accommodate specific workflow operations or to fit with existing structures in the building.”Industrial buildings are getting bigger and elevated work platforms are scaling up with them. Say, 50 years ago, facilities were much smaller and ceilings lower so there were fewer requirements for elevated platforms. Further, the equipment to load at such heights didn’t exist. Now, the capability of equipment is greater and taller structures are being utilized as a result. Within them, work and storage takes place on multiple levels.These multi-level work platforms present a danger of personnel and objects falling from height.As the latest video warns, the pallet drop area of elevated work platforms can lead to accidents if the ledge is open without adequate guarding. Falls to lower levels cost employers $5 billion annually in compensation claims in the U.S. alone. OSHA reports that it costs on average 16 lost working days per injured employee.Conway says, “Falling from an elevated level, whether it be people or products, is a serious danger and both should be addressed proactively, securing the situation before an incident occurs.” Schlegel adds, “The worst case, of course, is death; while the best scenario is that a worker survives a fall from the typical mezzanine height of 10 ft. sustaining only broken bones, fractures, and other injuries from hitting the concrete floor below. It is a serious matter not to be taken lightly.”Traditional railing or guarding systems are effective at preventing falls from height as long as they include a kick plate that is installed in conjunction with ANSI MH 28.3-2009. Adding netting or expanded metal and safety products to traditional railing systems provides added protection by capturing small objects that might otherwise fall into the work area below.OSHA Standard 1926.502, meanwhile, requires paneling or screening where tools, equipment, or materials are piled higher than the top edge of a toe-board or kick plate. ProGMA members also manufacture both netting and wire mesh panels that comply with that standard.However, David Brentz, chairman of ProGMA and vice president of member company Industrial Netting (a manufacturer of plastic netting), says, “That’s only a minimum requirement; added protection is financially prudent. The cost to install netting or wire screens around the perimeter of an elevated work platform pales in comparison to the cost of a single lost time accident. ProGMA members offer several simple, cost effective solutions to protect employees below loose objects that may fall or be kicked off work platforms.”Conway says, “In the past, properly guarding a pallet drop area or installing netting or wire was something that would be retrofitted, either after an incident occurred or after someone pointed out the issue. Designing proper safety guarding for the structure at the time of purchase makes for a much better fit; when retrofitting, there is often insufficient room for proper guarding and concessions have to be made. But, it is important to note that even if proper guarding wasn’t designed with the structure, it still should be installed. There are companies in the ProGMA that can customize solutions to fit these areas.”He continues, “Don’t confuse luck with judgment. If I visit a facility that was built, say, 20 years ago, I’m sure to find open pallet drop areas or insufficient guardrails. Just because these areas have been around for a while isn’t a reason not to properly secure them. I’ve heard the line, ‘Well, we’ve been doing it this way for 20 years and nobody has gotten hurt’. To that I say, ‘You’ve been lucky!’”Schlegel says, “The biggest safety risk is when a forklift access gate on mezzanine is left open creating a fall hazard for someone off-loading a pallet at the upper level. There are many products, provided by ProGMA members, that prevent the gate from being left open or that keep the operator at a safe distance, which should always be installed.”ANSI says, “Any gate that provides an access opening through the guards for the purpose of loading and unloading material onto a work platform shall be designed such that the elevated surface is protected by guards at all times. Gates that swing open, slide open, or lift up, leaving an unprotected opening in the guarding are not acceptable.”Dual gate systems such as a rolling gate ensure that the operator is separated from the ledge as well as the load. A pivoting gate ensures the operator is never exposed to the ledge and does not require him or her to walk near an open ledge to operate the gate.Unfortunately, sometimes it can take an incident and a facility to be shut down during an investigation for companies to understand the serious financial consequences of a workplace injury. There are many other companies that understand the risks and proactively secure their work areas. These diligent companies end up ahead in the long run:1. They typically get better solutions because they had the time to design them correctly;2. They get a better price because they can take their time and research the solutions;3. Safety solutions are in place before they need them.Conway concludes, “The large majority of people don’t want to get hurt and are not acting recklessly on the job. Typically, they are performing a repetitive operation, and in their process miss a step or push something too far and someone gets hurt. Proper guarding should be in place to prevent injury if this happens.”About ProGMAThe Protective Guarding Manufacturers Association (ProGMA) members are the industry’s leading suppliers of fixed protective guarding products designed to protect personnel, equipment, and inventory in industrial facilities. Member companies meet regularly to review, discuss, and revise the standards for design and performance of protective guarding products used in the material handling industry. ProGMA member companies are committed to the development, maintenance, and publishing of industry standard specifications for these systems. Visit the website at http://www.mhi.org/ProGMAAbout MHIMHI is an international trade association that has represented the material handling, logistics and supply chain industry since 1945. MHI members include material handling and logistics equipment and systems manufacturers, integrators, consultants, publishers and third-party logistics providers. MHI offers education, networking and solution sourcing for their members, their customers and the industry as a whole through programming and events. The association sponsors the ProMat and MODEX expos to showcase the products and services of its member companies and to educate manufacturing and supply chain professionals. http://www.mhi.orgContactAnupam Berry Boseabose@mhi.org704-676-1190
Webstaurant Store, a prominent e-commerce player specializing in restaurant equipment and supplies, faced a complex challenge in their distribution center near Savannah, Georgia. Sorting similar-looking cases of various products for manual palletizing was an error-prone and inefficient task. To overcome these challenges, Webstaurant Store collaborated with FMH Conveyors and implemented their state-of-the-art LITESORT automated sortation system.
A comprehensive guide to conveyor sortation technologies, this 16-page brochure features over 30 full color photographs and illustrations. The most commonly cited benefits from a well-designed conveyor sortation system is greater productivity. This brochure covers all aspects of conveyor sortation technology including merge subsystems, sortation subsystems, takeaway subsystems, along with selection criteria for each technology. This is an excellent companion for the CD-ROM on conveyor sortation, item #10070.