As workers and manufacturers place higher importance on ergonomic equipment and processes, warehouse-based order picking has become more employee-friendly. New technology and lean processes has made it possible for workers to work more efficiently and safely while assembling or picking orders. As the inventory orders come up, workers must choose the proper merchandise and the correct number of items to be shipped to a customer or retail store. Ergonomics focus on minimizing the bending, reaching, and pulling associated with the tasks in warehouses and manufacturing facilities.
Distance
The days of walking back and forth throughout a warehouse and climbing up and down stepladders to reach big heavy boxes are over. Instead, integrated picking systems and unique workstations have revolutionized processes. The items in warehouse storage are delivered to stations close to the order picker. Travel time is minimized, with the boxes or products rolling down to the front of the shelf area picking position as each one is taken away from inventory. There is minimal reaching and carrying, and no climbing, which is more ergonomically sound.
Rack Mobility
Workstations used to require the employee to walk about while filling or assembling orders. Certain types of workstation units now make it possible for the storage racks and shelves to come to the worker. Modular workstations have changed how workers complete their tasks with ergonomic considerations and mobility features. Mobile units have wheels on the bottom, allowing the entire unit to move with ease when it is empty, a shift is over or when changing to a different order picker. There is minimal bending, lifting and stretching involved in this workstation,
Inventory Rotation
Rather than the employee having to pull each item off a stationary shelf while filling orders, picking systems or modules provide FIFO inventory rotation stocking from the back of the unit which does not interfere with the picking process. When needed, boxes or products can be put in return lanes to take them away. The former alternative was to stack them on the floor, which could create a tripping hazard, clutter or cause back strain from bending.
Access Angle
Reaching, bending, stooping, climbing and twisting used to be required for picking the right inventory items from racks or shelves. Ergonomic designs make order picking easier and more employee-friendly, reducing injuries and muscle strain. By improving the pick angle and shelf height of inventory the worker has a better view of boxes and products and can reach them more easily. The physical effort to pick items has now been changed to a more ergonomic angle, making the job easier and a lower risk to injury.
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