"Heave-ho" To Heavy Lifting

Material handling safety's effect on operation efficiencies and profits could be comparable to the impact of digital prepress or streamlined makeready. A plethora of medical and insurance data shows why.

According to the Ergonomics Assist Systems Equipment (E.A.S.E.) Council of Material Handling Industry, back disorders are most costly in terms of workers' compensation and lost time. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates manual materials handling injuries represent 35 percent of workers' compensation claims. Medical expenses, lost wages, lower productivity and other expenses from these injuries amount to $116 billion annually.