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 in case you’ve by no means heard of it earlier than, it’s time to get acquainted—as a result of it could possibly 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 software 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 numerous positions, at completely different frequencies.Briefly, it solutions this query:Is that this elevate secure, or are you pushing your folks too far?The upper the CLI, the better 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 danger
CLI > 3.0 → Excessive-risk, pressing want for redesign or automation
Now think about this: One among your operators is palletizing 12 lb bins, 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 harm danger skyrockets.
Why do you have to care?
As a result of a CLI of three.0 or greater doesn’t simply imply somebody would possibly get harm. 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 value 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 beneath stress..
Automation drops your CLI to zero
The best method to cut back your CLI? Eradicate the guide elevate totally.That’s the place cobot palletizing is available in. With a Robotiq system:
You take away employees from the chance zone
You eradicate ergonomic pressure on the supply
You enhance consistency, security, and throughput
No lifting = no CLI = no harm danger.And with Robotiq’s turnkey palletizing options, you’ll be able to go from guide 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 method to consider danger. However you don’t have to turn out to be an ergonomics professional to behave on it. In case your group continues to be palletizing by hand, the CLI is probably going already within the hazard zone.So don’t anticipate the harm report.
💻 Be part of our ergonomics webinar with licensed security professional Carla Silver – register immediately!
📘 Want extra particulars and statistics? Obtain our Ergonomics e-book, additionally by Carla Silver.