The owner of a Philadelphia-area roofing company has been sentenced to ten months in prison for ordering employees to lie to federal investigators looking into the death of one of his employees at a historic church. James J. McCullagh, 60, of Meadowbrook, Pennsylvania, also received two years probation during his sentencing hearing March 29 in … Read more
For many warehouses, docks and other businesses, the problem with pallets is stacking and storing them safely. All too often, storing pallets are an afterthought. While some slotted, nesting plastic pallets are a little easier to store, wood pallets offer more of a challenge for many operations. When not stored properly, wood pallets can break, … Read more
In the past year, there have been 10 deaths and more than 20 serious injuries involving scissor lifts. And now the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration is issuing a warning to companies that use the lift devices. Scissor lifts are widely used in warehouses, factories, docks, construction, and in the retail and entertainment industries. … Read more
Ask any trash collector and they will tell you: People will throw absolutely anything in the trash. Never mind if it contains harmful materials that could pollute the environment or poison the water table. Today, one of the most dangerous items that commonly makes its way into the trash pile are printed circuit boards, those … Read more
Three companies are continuing to develop their own drone delivery programs. They include Maersk Tankers, Amazon, and Wal-Mart. Maersk Tankers has been testing the use of drones to deliver to vessels at sea. The drones have been certified for explosive environments. According to Maersk, the purpose of the experiment is to see if drones can … Read more
At the Iuka, Mississippi, laminating plant of International Converter, plant managers had a problem. Workers lifting the 40-pound sacks of wax beads into melting tanks were experiencing way too many workplace injuries. Risks included exertion, repetitive motion, awkward positions, and even falling hazards. There had to be a better way than the existing process, in … Read more
Many companies today are looking to up their “green cred” among consumers by touting environmentally friendly policies and practices. Going “green” is not only good for business — many customers today will opt for businesses that they perceive to have the smallest carbon footprint — but it’s also good for the planet. The material handling … Read more
A number of companies have come up with new products to assist in material handling. Starship Technologies, a robot manufacturing company in the UK, tested its delivery robot in Washington, D.C. the week of March 21. The robot resembles a small buggy with a functional storage compartment large enough to hold two grocery bags. The … Read more
A maintenance worker approaches a piece of machinery that has broken down. But instead of opening a heavy service manual, unfolding bulky schematics drawings, or struggling with outdated plans, he simply puts on a pair of glasses and has all the information and technical detail he needs instantly. A futuristic science fiction fantasy? No, this … Read more
A new law that requires employers to report serious injuries to the US Occupational Safety and Health and Administration within 24 hours of hs resulted in increased workplace safety nationwide, the agency announced. Since the law went into effect last year, employers reported 10,388 workplace accidents involving severe injuries, including 7,636 that required hospitalizations and … Read more
