Handbook palletizing may look easy. However behind each elevate is a set of forces, postures, and dangers that add up quick, particularly when completed lots of of occasions per shift.
That’s why the NIOSH Composite Lifting Index (CLI) exists. And in case 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 quicker 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 threat of handbook lifting duties within the office—particularly when a employee is lifting a number of objects, in numerous positions, at completely different frequencies.
Briefly, it solutions this query:
Is that this elevate secure, or are you pushing your individuals too far?
The upper the CLI, the larger the chance of harm.
What the numbers imply
Right here’s the easy rule of thumb:
- CLI ≤ 1.0 → Acceptable for many employees
- CLI > 1.0 → Elevated threat
- CLI > 3.0 → Excessive-risk, pressing want for redesign or automation
Now think about this: Considered one of your operators is palletizing 12 lb bins, 700+ occasions 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 harm threat skyrockets.
Why do you have to care?
As a result of a CLI of three.0 or increased doesn’t simply imply somebody may get damage. It means somebody doubtless will—and shortly.
Accidents attributable to overexertion and repetitive lifting are among the many most typical and dear office points:
- $39,000+ common price per again harm
- Misplaced workdays, misplaced output, rising insurance coverage prices
- Turnover and recruitment challenges
In case your CLI is excessive, your margins are already underneath strain.
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Automation drops your CLI to zero
The best approach to cut back your CLI? Remove the handbook elevate completely.
That’s the place cobot palletizing is available in. With a Robotiq system:
- You take away employees from the chance zone
- You remove ergonomic pressure on the supply
- You enhance consistency, security, and throughput
No lifting = no CLI = no harm threat.
And with Robotiq’s turnkey palletizing options, you’ll be able to go from handbook to automated in as little as 3 days—with out facility redesign or weeks of downtime.
Backside Line: Your Lifting Threat Has a Quantity
The Composite Lifting Index provides you a transparent, data-backed approach to consider threat. However you don’t have to change into an ergonomics professional to behave on it. In case your staff remains to be palletizing by hand, the CLI is probably going already within the hazard zone.
So don’t watch for the harm report.
💻 Be part of our ergonomics webinar with licensed security professional Carla Silver – register at the moment!
📘 Want extra particulars and statistics? Obtain our Ergonomics e book, additionally by Carla Silver.
