Guide palletizing may look easy. However behind each raise is a set of forces, postures, and dangers that add up quick, particularly when completed tons 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 may very well 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 software 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 raise secure, or are you pushing your folks too far?
The upper the CLI, the better the danger 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 packing containers, 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 commonest and expensive 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 stress.
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Automation drops your CLI to zero
The best strategy to scale back your CLI? Eradicate the handbook raise solely.
That’s the place cobot palletizing is available in. With a Robotiq system:
- You take away employees from the danger 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 strategy to consider threat. However you don’t must turn into an ergonomics professional to behave on it. In case your group remains to be palletizing by hand, the CLI is probably going already within the hazard zone.
So don’t look forward to the harm report.
💻 Be a part of our ergonomics webinar with licensed security professional Carla Silver – register at present!
📘 Want extra particulars and statistics? Obtain our Ergonomics e book, additionally by Carla Silver.
