Manual handling of loads, especially in demanding work environments like maturing warehouses, can pose a risk to workers’ health and safety, automation is a possible solution.
The data is clear: in 2023, a striking 36% of warehouse injuries stemmed from non-ergonomic operations, underscoring the urgent need to address this issue.
To protect workers’ well-being and ensure operational continuity, it’s crucial to reduce manual load handling tasks and provide training for workers on the best methods for performing necessary manual tasks.
In this context, automation stands out as the key solution.
Risks in handling cheese in maturing warehouses
Two of the main risks that can be found within a maturing warehouse are:
- Falling cheese wheels: Working with cheese wheels directly on the rack with automatic machines inevitably carries the risk of accidental falls. To minimize the risk of injuries, ING. Ferretti has equipped their machines with a protective canopy for the operator. It’s essential to establish clear rules within the work environment to prevent operators and machines from being in the same aisle or adjacent aisles. Besides the risk of injuries, a falling cheese wheel can be irreparably damaged, causing significant economic loss.
- Slipping/falling of the operator: The high humidity (80%) and temperatures (15°-18°C) typical of maturing warehouses create a slippery and hazardous working environment.
Automation in maturing warehouses: safety, well-being, and professional growth
Integrating automated solutions into maturing warehouses is a crucial step in safeguarding the safety and well-being of workers.
While proper training, physical fitness, and safety gear are essential, only automation can decrease the risks associated with manual handling of loads.
Automated machines significantly reduce the physical strain of lifting heavy loads, decreasing the risk of injuries and allowing workers to focus on more cognitive tasks.
This not only improves their motivation, satisfaction, and mental health but also fosters the development of new skills, making them adaptable to emerging technologies.
Moreover, automation enables real-time monitoring of the warehouse through integration with Warehouse Management System (WMS) software.
This ensures precise inventory tracking, optimized capacity management, streamlined maintenance operations, and accurate product traceability, enhancing overall efficiency and safety.
Complete automation of cheese wheel handling and lifting: safety, efficiency, and innovation
Trolley Equipment (C.A.)
Specifically designed for cheese handling, cheese handling trolleys facilitate the transfer of cheese wheels from pallets to automatic loading and unloading machines.
Equipped with a “suction cup” gripping system, they ensure a secure grip on the cheese with gentle action, even on fresher cheese, completely eliminating the operator’s effort.
As an alternative to the suction cup, a mechanical gripping system can be used, allowing for gripping and vertical rotation of the cheese wheel.
The sturdy stainless steel structure ensures durability over time and adaptability to different loading and unloading needs.
Moreover, the frame’s design allows for easy loading and unloading of the pallet both with forklift trucks and electric pallet trucks, making it a solution adaptable to your needs.
PAL/DEPAL Automatic Palletiser/Depalletiser for cheese wheels
For a fully automated load handling process, Ing. Ferretti has developed the the PAL/DEPAL system.
In this setup, the operator only needs to handle the loading or unloading of a pallet containing 25 cheese wheels using a forklift.
All other operational phases are carried out automatically: the PAL/DEPAL, equipped with a mechanical gripping system, extracts the cheese wheels from the pallet and places them onto a conveyor belt leading to the C.S.R. and vice versa.
This machine is unique on the market, thanks to two exclusive patents: the management of layer dividers and a system that effectively separates cheese wheels, preventing them from sticking together on the pallet.
Constructed entirely of stainless steel, this machine ensures optimal durability and ease of cleaning.
Designed for safe interaction with the operator, it features a safety laser scanner that stops the machine’s movements when the operator is nearby.
Conclusions
Automation solutions not only improves safety in load handling in maturing warehouses but also promotes the well-being and professional development of operators.
Investing in these technologies is a crucial step in eliminating risks and injuries in the workplace and enhancing the loading and unloading processes of cheese wheels in aging warehouses.
