Collaboration Between Automation and Employees

Industry 5.0 manufacturing environments are optimized for sustainability, worker well-being and efficiency. © Grispb – stock.adobe.com

The critical role of conveyors in ensuring a safe and comfortable workplace environment.

By Bobby Bauman, Director of Product Management at Ammeraal Beltech

The rise of automation stands to improve manufacturing operations across industries in many ways. Companies look to automated solutions to improve efficiency, output, product consistency, sustainability, scalability, and cost savings. Automated equipment has also taken on some of the most dangerous and repetitive tasks that could compromise worker safety. Now, more companies aspire to the Industry 5.0 vision for a manufacturing environment optimized for sustainability and worker well-being.

However, leaders can’t realize this vision by focusing on automation alone. To continue advancing workplace safety and comfort for on-the-ground operators, business leaders must prioritize the well-being of employees with a more holistic approach that aims to prevent workplace injuries and support workers to mitigate turnover. These measures can include ones that proactively reduce noise and prevent hearing loss while creating a feedback loop on worker safety and development.

The Case for Quieter Conveying

Where there is automation, there are conveyor belts. As manufacturers across industries look to improve efficiency, lower costs, and reduce the physical demands on warehouse employees, these needs also translate to conveying equipment. Conveyors are not only a trusted form of automation for businesses, but also a friend in the workplace for employees. As factories and warehouses are often harsh environments, conveyor belts play a critical role in ensuring employees have a safe and comfortable workplace.

Noise reduction is an integral part of improving the employee experience. Excessive noise in material handling and conveyor operations can lead to long-term hearing issues and reduced focus. Belt manufacturers should partner with their customers to offer and recommend low-noise belts designed to operate efficiently while minimizing noise levels, contributing to both worker safety and productivity. This is extremely important in traditionally ‘loud’ industries such as logistics and airports.

As fast solutions that continuously move, conveyor belts can also pose a risk for employee injuries. Minimizing pinch points, places on the conveyor where workers’ hands can get caught, should be an important effort in creating a safe workplace. Experienced conveyor manufacturers and suppliers can customize solutions by focusing on ergonomic designs and advanced materials, which help to significantly reduce risks associated with accidental injuries during equipment operation. Conveyor belts can also be designed with features that enhance safety, such as non-fray edges and easy-to-clean surfaces, reducing the likelihood of incidents.

Another consideration for comfortable workplace environments is material advancement for comfort. Conveyor belts should not only enhance operational efficiency but also incorporate features like smoother surfaces and optimized tensioning, which help reduce vibrations and mechanical stress, creating a safer and more pleasant work environment. For instance, belts designed with energy-saving and low-noise properties improve both efficiency and workplace comfort.

Relying on Employee Input

From risk assessment to training and communication, some processes that will help manufacturers create a workplace that prioritizes the well-being of employees include:

• Setting Standards for a Safe and Healthy Work Environment: it is critical to identify what a safe and healthy work environment looks like for each individual business and then measure it on a consistent basis.
• Engaging and Educating Workers: knowledge is power. Training staff and making sure they understand the work, the process, and the technology utilized is a critical component to ensure there is no confusion around how to utilize certain machinery and to help workers understand the overall goal and importance of their work.
• Giving Workers a Voice: sourcing employee feedback on certain machinery and getting their opinion on the workplace environment benefits the business by providing specific and constructive feedback while improving workplace culture.

Making the Most of Automation

Businesses benefit tremendously from having the appropriate tools and technologies in place that align with company goals and improve operations while also ensuring compliance with laws and regulations in their respective industries. Conveyor belts specifically can help businesses work towards their operational, sustainability, and efficiency goals, while supporting a safe and comfortable workplace environment. However, aligning with local and experienced partners is key in determining the most appropriate and safest belting solutions for individual businesses. From recommending the most fitting conveyors, to educating employees on how to collaborate with said conveyors, it is important to choose a sound belting partner.

About the Author

Bobby Bauman is the Director of Product Management at Ammeraal Beltech, where he has been instrumental in shaping the company’s product strategy since July 2021. With over 19 years of experience as the Sales Manager in the conveyor belting industry, Bobby brings a wealth of knowledge in sales and product development to his current role. His strategic vision and leadership have contributed to Ammeraal Beltech’s success over the past four years, highlighting his commitment to excellence and innovative thinking in the field of product management. To learn more about safety considerations in the workplace when it comes to conveyors, click here: https://www.ammeraalbeltech.com/en-US/

About Ammeraal Beltech:

Ammeraal Beltech is a global market leader in the design, manufacturing, fabrication and servicing of high-quality, high-performance process and conveyor belts, available in 150 countries around the world. A brand of AMMEGA Group, Ammeraal Beltech provides conveying solutions across 14 different industries, with a focus on innovation, sustainability, and customization for specific customer and industry needs. With their purpose-built R&D centers, Ammeraal Beltech is continuously optimizing products, meeting new challenges, such as higher operating speeds and temperatures, the need for increased cleanability and durability, and ever more stringent standards of hygiene and safety.

About AMMEGA:

AMMEGA is a global leader in lightweight conveyor belting and power transmission solutions, with three distinct product brands Ammeraal Beltech, Uni, Megadyne, Jason Industrial and Chemprene. With an unwavering commitment to innovation, excellence, quality, and passion for sustainability, AMMEGA delivers tailored solutions across diverse industries. Backed by a significant investment in the Americas and an Ecovadis gold certification, AMMEGA is dedicated to empowering its customers and shaping a more sustainable future.