(AWEP) are used to provide significant ergonomic benefits by positioning the worker to the job.

There are many defined workstations in manufacturing facilities with points of human interaction at an elevation above the plant floor, requiring that the operator be positioned on a raised platform. Often times, these platforms are makeshift and can present safety hazards.

It is also common for the plant maintenance department to fabricate non-adjusting platforms configured for the "average employee." These fixed-height platforms do not correctly accommodate the 5'-4" employee and the 6'-4" employee.

Multiple-shift operations, where three different operators interact with the same process machine in a 24-hour period, complicate the accommodation issue. Job rotation with operators changing jobs every couple of hours adds even more challenges to the workplace ergonomics issue. Job rotation may spread the risk of worker injury over a larger worker population, but is down not eliminate the risk. Modifying the characteristics of a workstation to reduce the number of bad choices an operator can make for providing operator control over the physical characteristics of workstation are proactive methods for addressing in-plant ergonomics issues.

AWEPs provide each operator with the ability to control their own position in relation to the task at hand, and position the task so that the operator can gain a biomechanical advantage over the task.

AWEPs are typically mechanically-driven devices that are manually adjusted. Platform sizes vary from 2' x 3' one-person units to larger runways parallel to assembly lines. Heights start as low as 2 ¼" above the shop floor. Most units have 12 inches of vertical adjustment. AWEPs can be pit-mounted, if necessary. Capacities are typically 400 lbs. Powered AWEPs can be activated using electricity or shop air.

Containers, boxes and baskets are widely used to store and transport parts and products. Although they are efficient, loading and unloading them requires motions that can be unsafe for workers. Regardless of how light the stored parts are, workers must repetitively bend, stoop, reach and lift as they work their way to the bottom of these containers.

To make the process safer and more productive, the container should be moved up to toward the worker as it is unloaded. Proper positioning can eliminate the need for bending, stretching, reaching and unnecessary lifting.

Pictured are portable tilters which allow containers to be picked up, moved into position, and tilted for easy access. There are similar stationary models which allow containers to be directly placed on the tilter by hand pallet trucks or fork trucks. In addition, there are floor height pivot point devices and tilters that mount on lift tables and other bases.

There are nearly as many tilter designs as there are container styles, and application information must be carefully considered before equipment selection. Special attention should be given to all container dimensions and the weight and configuration of the parts.

Industrial scissors lifts are used in a wide variety of ergonomic applications where bottom-up movement is required. They are used in industries such as manufacturing, assembly, warehousing, distribution, sheet feeding, and printing, just to name a few.

Generally, scissors lifts, or lift tables (as they are sometimes called), may be used to position material so operators do not have to lift excessive loads, lift repetitively, or bend to do their jobs. These tables can include variations to facilitate horizontal movement on the deck such as conveyors or ball transfers. In addition, portability options for the base allow the complete unit to be moveable. Tilting devices can be added so loads can be positioned both vertically and angularly.

Scissors lifts can be adapted to any plant situation by choosing from different power options. For example, lifts can be powered with electric or air-powered hydraulic pump units, pneumatic lift systems or full mechanical lift systems.

Scissors lifts can be installed in any number of ways to meet specific requirements. Generally, they will be surface mounted or pit mounted. They can be either fixed in position or moveable in either case.

Throughout industry, shipping and storing goods on pallets is a methodology for transferring inventory. This type of unit load handling can create numerous materials handling challenges. Most of these difficulties are associated with restacking the pallet load and many can be handled by mechanically inverting the entire load instead.

Broken pallets can be easily removed and replaced. Crushed, damaged, or broken containers or bags can be pulled from the bottom of stacked loads by simply rotating the entire stack. Outgoing loads can be readily transferred from wood pallets to skids or slipsheets used for shipment. Incoming loads can be just as quickly transferred to permanent pallets used in racking systems or to special pallets for food handling and similar applications.

In operation, a pallet truck or fork truck is used to place palletized loads in the rotator. The pallet to which the load is to be transferred is placed on top of the stack. The rotator grips the load and rotates it 180 degrees, transferring the load from one pallet to the other.

Manually propelled lift trucks, commonly called stackers, can be extremely versatile group of ergonomic assist products. They are designed to efficiently transport work from on e work station to another, as well as, for elevating loads to comfortable ergonomic work heights.

Stackers are available with platforms, adjustable forks or fixed forks. Capacities range from 250 lbs. to 3,000 lbs., and load centers to 24", to handle load sizes up to 48" square.

Fork model stackers off vertical level from floor level (5" for platform models) to 4', 5', 6', 8', 10' and 12' in lift height within a very small foot print. However, most ergonomic applications require only lower lift height models.

Hydraulics is the most frequently used method for lifting, although wire rope and winch are used with some lift weight manual types. Battery lifting power is most frequently used, but manual, AC electric, and air power models are available. A control lever is usually located at fingertip level on a control panel, but hand pendants and foot controls are also available.

Stackers effectively move, raise, and position wire baskets, tote boxes, crates, skids and pallets to proper ergonomic work levels for maximum efficiency, productivity, and worker safety. They are also available with numerous attachments and accessories to transport and position special work loads such as barrels, coils, rolls, etc.