Guide palletizing would possibly look easy. However behind each elevate is a set of forces, postures, and dangers that add up quick, particularly when completed a whole lot of instances per shift.
That’s why the NIOSH Composite Lifting Index (CLI) exists. And when you’ve by no means heard of it earlier than, it’s time to get acquainted—as a result of it might be the important thing to defending your workforce and unlocking sooner ROI from automation.
Let’s break it down.
What’s the CLI?
The CLI is a device developed by the Nationwide Institute for Occupational Security and Well being (NIOSH). It measures the ergonomic danger of guide lifting duties within the office—particularly when a employee is lifting a number of objects, in several positions, at completely different frequencies.
In brief, it solutions this query:
Is that this elevate protected, or are you pushing your folks too far?
The upper the CLI, the better the danger of damage.
What the numbers imply
Right here’s the easy rule of thumb:
- CLI ≤ 1.0 → Acceptable for many employees
- CLI > 1.0 → Elevated danger
- CLI > 3.0 → Excessive-risk, pressing want for redesign or automation
Now think about this: Certainly one of your operators is palletizing 12 lb packing containers, 700+ instances per hour, with fixed bending and reaching. That’s precisely the kind of high-frequency, high-strain state of affairs the place CLI spikes—and damage danger skyrockets.
Why do you have to care?
As a result of a CLI of three.0 or larger doesn’t simply imply somebody would possibly get damage. It means somebody possible will—and shortly.
Accidents brought on by overexertion and repetitive lifting are among the many most typical and dear office points:
- $39,000+ common price per again damage
- Misplaced workdays, misplaced output, rising insurance coverage prices
- Turnover and recruitment challenges
In case your CLI is excessive, your margins are already beneath stress.
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Automation drops your CLI to zero
The simplest approach to cut back your CLI? Get rid of the guide elevate totally.
That’s the place cobot palletizing is available in. With a Robotiq system:
- You take away employees from the danger zone
- You eradicate ergonomic pressure on the supply
- You enhance consistency, security, and throughput
No lifting = no CLI = no damage danger.
And with Robotiq’s turnkey palletizing options, you may go from guide to automated in as little as 3 days—with out facility redesign or weeks of downtime.
Backside Line: Your Lifting Danger Has a Quantity
The Composite Lifting Index offers you a transparent, data-backed approach to consider danger. However you don’t must change into an ergonomics skilled to behave on it. In case your workforce continues to be palletizing by hand, the CLI is probably going already within the hazard zone.
So don’t look ahead to the damage report.
💻 Be part of our ergonomics webinar with licensed security skilled Carla Silver – register today!
📘 Want extra particulars and statistics? Obtain our Ergonomics ebook, additionally by Carla Silver.
