What Is a Pallet Positioner and Why Do You Need One?
In busy manufacturing and warehouse facilities, pallet positioners are key to increasing speed and efficiency. By providing optimal ergonomic support, a pallet positioner is an assistive device created to enhance worker safety and productivity. This clever material handling solution has a simple design with the capacity for impactful results. But what exactly is a pallet positioner and how does it work?
What Is a Pallet Positioner?
To better understand a pallet positioner, we must first describe the pallet. Otherwise known as skids, pallets provide a flat surface structure on which to stabilize goods for safe transport. A pallet positioner is then utilized to help lift and position palletized goods without placing any undue stress on the worker’s body. In fact, pallet positioners are well equipped to handle various sizes and weights of materials, thereby reducing repetitive movement and the risk of common workplace injuries.
Types of automatic pallet positioners available on the market today include mechanical spring-loaded and self-contained pneumatic models. An automatic pallet positioner consists of a self-contained air system or mechanical spring actuated scissor let set with a mounted rotating platform or rotator ring. The self-contained air system eliminates the need for a constant air connection. They self-level the pallet load automatically, eliminating the need for pushbuttons or foot controllers.
While each unique model may have a slightly different configuration and application, all pallet positioners are engineered to position goods at an optimal ergonomic height for the worker.
Why Do You Need a Pallet Positioner?
The right pallet positioner is a must-have in your loading dock area. Here are some of the top benefits of a pallet positioner:
- Enhanced worker comfort and safety – Pallet positioners eliminate the need for repetitive movements like bending, stretching, pulling, pushing, and lifting. Because the pallet positioner adjusts the load to the proper height, workers are then able to comfortably load and unload goods for easy transport. Consequently, there are fewer workplace accidents and job-related injuries.
- A more inclusive workforce – When material handling solutions such as pallet positioners are used at a manufacturing facility, there is more opportunity for equal representation on the job. For example, heavy lifting is a task that only certain people are physically capable of performing. With the use of assistive devices, more people can manage material goods in the warehouse environment.
- Improved workplace morale and presenteeism – If workers feel safe, comfortable, and productive in their immediate surroundings, they will naturally work together to achieve a common goal. This shared feeling of workplace satisfaction invariably spills over into increased presenteeism. Simply put, the more positive/cohesive a workplace, the more likely people are to come to work.
- Increased speed and productivity – As much as we rely on people to get the job done, there’s no denying that innovative technology certainly helps to speed up the manufacturing process. A pallet positioner saves time by providing workers with proximity and accessibility to goods. Ease-of-use also contributes to a faster production time, with fewer interruptions or delays.
- Reduced liability and enhanced reputation – As noted, a pallet positioner offers enhanced ergonomic support and increased safety, resulting in fewer workplace accidents and job-related injuries. Fewer accidents and injuries on-site translate into less liability for your company. In order to maintain a solid reputation within the material handling industry, potential liability must be proactively managed and kept to a bare minimum.
- Greater cost-savings and profit – Investing in a pallet positioner not only saves money, it helps to increase your profit margin. That’s because reduced liability means less associated costs, which can be substantial. This significant cost-savings, along with increased speed and productivity, all contribute to help boost the bottom line.
Pallet Positioners in the Warehouse
A pallet positioner is an assistive device used in the busy loading dock area of a warehouse. It is designed to help workers safely and ergonomically move goods. There are various types of pallet positioners to choose from depending on your needs. Available models include a spring-loaded pallet positioner, electric pallet positioner, hydraulic pallet positioner, and self-leveling pallet positioner.
Although there are many different applications, all pallet positioners provide numerous benefits for employees and manufacturers. Implementing pallet positioners can help to enhance worker comfort and safety, establish a more inclusive workforce, improve workplace morale and presenteeism, increase speed and productivity, reduce liability, and enhance reputation, and create greater cost-savings and profit.
Pallet positioners are easily a must-have manufacturing solution. Finding the right pallet positioner to suit your specific needs can help streamline operations and improve workplace safety.