Industry: Manufacturing - SIC Code: 2591

Employees: 850

Success Brief:

Spring Window Fashions, a participant in OSHA's Voluntary Protection Programs, developed a new material handling and storage system that greatly reduces injuries.

The Problem:

Boxes of PVC slats for vertical blinds weighing from 75 to 150 pounds were manually slid into bulk racks for storage, resulting in approximately 25 compensable shoulder, arm, neck, and back injuries per year.

The Solution:

The company developed a bulk rack system with miniature rollers and guided slots for each carton, allowing boxes to be slid into position with considerably less effort.

The Impact:

In the past year, there has not been a single compensable injury from performing this material handling task.

Source:

• Dell Pratt, Safety and Security Manager (April 2003).