As ergonomic programs continue to strengthen their foothold in the meat industry, adjustable platforms continue to grow in importance.
One of the main points of any ergonomic program is job rotation to avoid carpal tunnel syndrome, tendinitis, myalgia and other cumulative trauma disorders. The best way to reduce cumulative trauma disorders is to prevent potential injuries from happening.
A 5-foot-4-inch woman might be working on the slaughter line for an hour. She needs to have the stand adjusted higher to have the proper working height. She could be relieved by 6-foot-6 inch man who needs the stand adjusted lower to have the proper working height.
That is where adjustable platforms come in.
"Ergonomics is a catch-word for several processes," says the president of one company that constructs adjustable platforms. "Adjustable platforms can play an important role in ergonomics."
Another adjustable platform supplier, who also has experience working in meat and poultry plants, says ergonomics simply cannot be ignored.
"When we design [adjustable platforms], we build them to the specifications of meat processors," he notes. "We calculate lifting, bending and reaching into our [adjustable] platform construction. We incorporate ergonomic features required by an individual plant."
The challenges
But there are several other challenges that face adjustable platform suppliers when dealing with meat processors:
-- As important as ergonomics is for processors, so is time. Processors cannot afford to stop to replace platforms. What they need is one platform that can be quickly and effectively adjusted to various heights.
"You have to be quick, that is almost as important as anything else," according to another adjustable platform supplier. "If you cannot construct a platform that gets into different positions quickly, meat processors will look at alternative ways and alternative companies."
-- Slaughter lines are harsh environments; and an adjustable platform needs to be durable. "If [the adjustable platform] is in an area that has grime, or is constantly wet, it has to be made of stainless steel," a supplier stresses.
-- The method of adjustment- mechanical or by hand-depends on line speed. Mechanical power can be distributed through hydraulics, air or water.
"If workers need to move up and down a lot, then a processor probably needs an automatic-type adjustment," a supplier points out. "If a processor has a plant where there is only one or two changes a day, hand adjustment might be the answer."
-- Space is also a problem. Slaughter lines are constrained with many people and several pieces of machinery. Adjustable platforms have to be streamlined to fit the space.
-- Platform stability is vital, but not always easy to achieve. Meat processors want portable platforms, which lead to the potential problem of a lack of stability, a supplier points out.
"Because of the generally confined spaces [of the slaughter area], a platform needs to be tall and slender, without being permanently secured to the floor," he says. "We try to get as broad footing as possible to keep the platform stable."
The basics
Adjustable platforms come in standard heights that range from 4 inches to 15 inches in height, although suppliers will custom-design a platform if processors wish. A supplier says it depends on the meat plant, itself, as well as other pieces of equipment in the plant.
"There may be some expensive, existing equipment in the plant that a processor does not want to discard," he points out. "We'll build a platform to match that equipment."
A plant visit may determine if the platform will be standard-sized or custom-designed. Adjustable platforms can cost between $275 and $5,000.
"You have to make [the platform] comfortable for different people," one supplier cautions. "You have different people using the platform that have different needs. We allow processors to make the final decision because they are ultimately responsible."
For more information on adjustable platforms, write the reader service card numbers for the following companies:
Prime Equipment Group Inc.: 315
Algona Food Equipment Co.: 316
Omeco Boss Co.: 317
Southworth Products Corp.: 318