Handbook palletizing may look easy. However behind each raise is a set of forces, postures, and dangers that add up quick, particularly when performed a whole lot of instances per shift.
That’s why the NIOSH Composite Lifting Index (CLI) exists. And if you happen to’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 instrument 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 totally different frequencies.
Briefly, it solutions this query:
Is that this raise protected, or are you pushing your individuals too far?
The upper the CLI, the better the danger of damage.
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 situation the place CLI spikes—and damage danger skyrockets.
Why do you have to care?
As a result of a CLI of three.0 or greater doesn’t simply imply somebody may get harm. It means somebody probably will—and shortly.
Accidents brought on by overexertion and repetitive lifting are among the many commonest and dear office points:
- $39,000+ common value per again damage
- Misplaced workdays, misplaced output, rising insurance coverage prices
- Turnover and recruitment challenges
In case your CLI is excessive, your margins are already below stress.
.
Automation drops your CLI to zero
The best strategy to scale back your CLI? Get rid of the guide raise fully.
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 damage danger.
And with Robotiq’s turnkey palletizing options, you may go from guide to automated in as little as 3 days—with out facility redesign or weeks of downtime.
Backside Line: Your Lifting Danger Has a Quantity
The Composite Lifting Index offers you a transparent, data-backed strategy to consider danger. However you don’t must develop into an ergonomics skilled 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 anticipate the damage report.
💻 Be a part of our ergonomics webinar with licensed security skilled Carla Silver – register as we speak!
📘 Want extra particulars and statistics? Obtain our Ergonomics e-book, additionally by Carla Silver.
