Musculoskeletal accidents don’t all the time present up on the manufacturing report—however they hit laborious the place it hurts: your workforce, your margins, and your momentum.
Handbook palletizing is without doubt one of the most bodily demanding duties on the manufacturing unit ground. It’s additionally probably the most ignored in the case of value. Positive, it appears easy—decide, place, repeat—however the actual value of this repetitive pressure goes far past a sore again and some misplaced workdays.
Right here’s why the true value of handbook palletizing is far increased than you assume—and what to do about it.
What’s actually driving the price?
When a employee will get injured whereas palletizing, the apparent bills comply with: medical therapy, staff’ comp, possibly even authorized charges. These are your direct prices—they usually’re steep. In accordance with the Nationwide Security Council, the typical decrease again damage prices over $39,000 in medical and indemnity bills.
However the oblique prices? They’re typically 2–5x increased.
Assume turnover, coaching a temp, manufacturing delays, additional time for replacements, decrease morale, missed deadlines… All of it provides up. One pressure damage can imply your organization must generate over $2 million in additional gross sales simply to recuperate the price.
And if that doesn’t sting sufficient—your premiums go up subsequent 12 months.
The worth of inaction
Right here’s the kicker: in nations just like the U.S., Canada, and throughout the EU, MSDs (musculoskeletal problems) account for as much as 30% of all office accidents. Most are tied on to handbook dealing with—particularly palletizing.
What’s extra, many of those accidents don’t occur in a single day. They creep in over months of repeated lifts, awkward postures, and overexertion—till somebody abruptly can’t end their shift. The end result? A gradual drain on efficiency, morale, and profitability.
Automation isn’t a value—It’s a protect
Right here’s the place it will get fascinating: palletizing is without doubt one of the best duties to automate—and probably the most strategic locations to start out.
With a cobot palletizer, you:
- Take away staff from injury-prone duties
- Scale back insurance coverage premiums
- Remove downtime from strain-related accidents
- Shield your group and your productiveness
The ROI isn’t nearly labor financial savings anymore. It’s about threat prevention—and in immediately’s market, that’s priceless.
From ache level to revenue middle
In case you’ve been holding off on automation as a result of it felt too complicated or pricey, begin by the actual value of staying handbook. The numbers don’t lie. And with fashionable cobot options that set up in just some days, the limitations are decrease than ever.
Need to get a clearer image? Attempt the OSHA Safety Pays Injury Estimator. See for your self how one damage might value greater than a completely put in robotic palletizer.
Backside line
Handbook palletizing is hurting greater than your staff—it’s consuming away at what you are promoting.
Simply how a lot is handbook palletizing costing what you are promoting? We might help you discover out!
💻 Do not miss our Ergonomics webinar with Carla Silver – register today!
📘 Obtain our Ergonomics ebook, additionally by Carla Silver.