< Previous20 Business Link www.blmforum.net MATERIALS HANDLING Vital to business operations, especially those involving the movement of heavy parts and goods through a workplace and to delivery channels, one must ensure that the handling of materials is completed safely. A safe environment is usually achieved by making employees aware of typical hazards, such as exceeding load limits, and teaching them how to prevent these though clear training programmes on operating materials handling equipment and risky situations. Supervisors, meanwhile, must exercise due diligence to prevent injury and keep facilities safe. With such a high level of on-the-job danger, health and safety hazards surpass more obvious instances of collision and trapping. Workers, repeatedly bending, reaching and lifting heavy objects, put serious strain on the body, causing immediate and long-term injuries such as repetitive stress injuries. Ergonomics has therefore become a key focus in materials handling. Equipment that is ergonomically designed can minimise the strains associated with twisting, excessive stretching, pulling and pushing. One common piece of materials handling equipment that can be improved with ergonomics is the forklift, whose operators frequently develop repetitive strain and musculoskeletal injuries. Seats with lumbar support, adjustable arm rests and suspension can be adopted to reduce vibration that frequently leads to musculoskeletal disorders and fatigue. Boosting visibility has also improved forklifts for their operators, with cameras improving vision at forks to allow for increased accuracy and less neck straining, especially when navigating in increasingly narrow aisles as warehouses aim to hold as much product as possible to meet demand. With operations under growing pressure to do more in less time, with less resources, more safely, robotics and automation - from robot pickers to Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems (AS/RS), Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs) and robot arms - have been highlighted as key in improving productivity and operations while driving down costs. In warehouses particularly, the demand for quicker Keeping goods moving Whether one is considering trolleys, conveyors or forklifts, materials handling equipment – and the wider facilities themselves – are continuously evolving to allow greater levels of efficiency and flexibility all while promising to save costs in the long term. Keeping goods moving 20-23.qxp_Layout 1 05/11/2020 11:45 Page 1www.blmforum.net Business Link 21 MATERIALS HANDLING © Shutterstock /Halfpoint delivery times has caused an overhaul. Downtime is not tolerated, and the smallest of disruptions can have a major impact. Automation acts as a reliable solution in reducing chance of downtime and unanticipated delays, and usefully takes over physically demanding tasks. Quite simply, traditional human techniques can reduce productivity, increase time consumption, are prone to error due to human fatigue, and restrict the amount of load that can be moved. Meanwhile, robot trucks, for instance, can work 24/7, tirelessly and need only stop for battery charging. These trucks are further being fitted with Lithium Titanate Oxide Batteries which can be opportunity charged quickly, with a single charger able to serve multiple vehicles. While automated materials handling equipment overall has been expensive and complex to buy and install, and even somewhat inflexible, this is not the case today. Robotic trucks, for example, are now more versatile, can be integrated without devoted infrastructure and no longer require wires, reflectors or magnets. Rather, trucks can be walked through a facility to build a map, decipher main routes, locate specific aisles and more. Using walls and racks to map a facility, trucks can navigate and self-locate without physical infrastructure in real time. The introduction of automated and autonomous equipment has further benefits when considering the high turnover rates of manual handling staff and the training periods required for new employees - both of which are costly. While there has been concern that use of robots and automation will eliminate jobs, the wider automation of materials handling is sure to be a benefit with a bleak labour market and as the materials handling workforce ages and retires while service levels become more demanding. Robotic trucks also enable repetitive tasks like loading and unloading and strenuous activities to be completed cost effectively and allow staff to be redistributed to more value-adding and engaging tasks. They create support jobs such as engineers, technicians, 22 Á 20-23.qxp_Layout 1 05/11/2020 11:46 Page 222 Business Link www.blmforum.net MATERIALS HANDLING © Shutterstock /Mr . Kosal software developers, and move staff to tasks like operating equipment, revising performance data and transport planning. Meanwhile, when integrated with other automation technologies, operations can be made even more efficient. For instance, the use of sensors on conveyor belts enables them to perceive when pallets are at the end of the line and notify a robot to collect and move it to the next location. The position of conveyors in automated and robotic systems is expanding here, particularly as this often requires a product to be in a precise position at an exact time, meaning investing in a conveyor that is reliable and efficient and engineered specifically to work with robots is essential. The popularity of AGVs is on the rise, after previously being thought of as untrustworthy, as they make the movement of materials and products effortless and remove operator error that causes many accidents, being able to detect objects from several feet away and move between people and other machines. While the idea of autonomous forklifts for instance is well established, improvements in navigation, adaptability, flexibility of technology and decreasing costs has seen the equipment become more of a reality. With the use of Internet of Things (IoT) devices and AI programs, multiple AGVs like autonomous forklifts can be deployed at once, are able to communicate with each other and avoid colliding. They can also adapt to changes in warehouse layouts and are helpful in reducing loss from misplaced products as every movement they make can be tracked. Further, when connected to the IoT, software can be used by managers to monitor and optimise AGV traffic. When integrated with telematics systems, warehouse management systems or enterprise resource planning systems, one can get the best use out of a fleet through increased visibility into processes and units which allow one to adjust and optimise based on use, maintenance and congestion data and make changes in real time. Moreover, AGVs are set to make operations more fuel efficient. Removing a driver and the mechanics needed for operation from say a forklift dramatically decreases burdens - a lighter vehicle goes easier on fuel. Further smart forklift decisions, driven by computers and data systems automatically choose the most energy and time efficient route to products and delivery vehicles. While moving goods around a facility is 20-23.qxp_Layout 1 05/11/2020 11:46 Page 3www.blmforum.net Business Link 23 MATERIALS HANDLING a challenge of its own, getting them in and out also throws up potential problems for example when not unloading optimally, inefficiency, high costs and queueing appear. Ensuring the process is quick and smooth has a positive effect on the operation that follows. AGVs are just as beneficial in the loading dock as elsewhere as part of automatic truck loading systems (ATLS), which perhaps more usually involve conveyor belt systems integrated into vehicles. ATLS significantly reduce manpower needed at loading bays, minimise chance of product damage and accidents as well as ergonomic injuries associated with lift truck operation. Products are loaded and unloaded quicker, and at higher volumes, which also means fewer loading docks are required. Let powder and particulate materials handling problems be a thing of the past Powders and particulate materials used in the processing industry can often cause major disruptions to production whether through build-up in hoppers, de-blending, uneven weights when packing or dosing, dust build-up… the problems go on. Having encountered frequent similar problems through providing consultancy services, experts at the Wolfson Centre for Bulk Solids Handling Technology have put together some essential presentations to help delegates identify potential issues before they become a major headache, and advise on how to help solve or avoid the problems that may otherwise occur. As we move into 2021, leave your problematic particulates behind and welcome in the new year with reliable well-behaved materials instead. For the full calendar of dates and details of courses on offer, along with on-line registration please visit our Short Courses homepage (www.gre.ac.uk/engsci/research/groups/wolfsoncentre/coupro/sc). © Shutterstock /FUN FUN PHOT O 20-23.qxp_Layout 1 05/11/2020 11:46 Page 424 Business Link www.blmforum.net WATER AND WASTE MANAGEMENT © Shutterstock /Dmitri Ma Recycle Reuse Reduce Food and water are two of the biggest commercial waste streams. Although there are steps companies can take to mitigate waste in-house, they must also ensure their waste is treated in a responsible and environmentally-friendly manner. 24-27.qxp_Layout 1 05/11/2020 11:49 Page 1www.blmforum.net Business Link 25 WATER AND WASTE MANAGEMENT W ater resources are under increasing pressure from climate change, population growth and the need to protect the environment. However, increasing ambition from government, regulators, water companies and businesses are together having a profound impact in the amount of water that’s being used and how wastewater is being treated and recycled. Even media, marketing and other non-water intensive industries still use water every single day. Toilets, sinks, water coolers, dishwashes, not to mention the water involved in the commercial cleaning of an office block or building – it all adds up. Fortunately for businesses of this kind, there are several easy ways to reduce consumption and use water more efficiently. Businesses can switch to a more efficient water company that’s better aligned for the environment and a company’s overheads. There are simple and often inexpensive options to help reduce water usage in the workplace, such as fitting water aerators to taps. Then there are displacement devices which can be placed in toilet cisterns so that less water is used per flush. Alternatively, companies can install duel flush toilets. If an office or facility has a garden, a water butt can be installed to gather rainwater which can then be used to water grounds. Even with solutions such as these, companies should still carry out regular water audits to determine where water inefficiencies are taking place. One of the biggest issues here is leaks, which not only waste water and cost money, but can lead to damage and costly repairs – especially as not all business insurance policies cover flooding of this kind. As part of this audit process, it’s also worth determining where wastewater is going and if it can be recycled into other areas of the business or sent to a more environmentally-friendly treatment plant. There are a number of technologies that can be used in the water treatment process depending on the requirement and, indeed, the type of wastewater. Of these technologies, it’s filtration that is most commonly used thanks to cost-effective and reliable nature. Reverse osmosis, which removes contaminants from water by using pressure to force water molecules through a semipermeable membrane, has grown in popularity over the years because of its high 26 Á 24-27.qxp_Layout 1 05/11/2020 11:49 Page 226 Business Link www.blmforum.net WATER AND WASTE MANAGEMENT © Shutterstock /SpeedKingz 24-27.qxp_Layout 1 05/11/2020 11:49 Page 3www.blmforum.net Business Link 27 WATER AND WASTE MANAGEMENT levels of effectiveness. Treating and purifying water with ultraviolet (UV) light, however, has become a mainstay because of its efficiency, affordability and longevity. Even at a domestic level, a UV water purification system can destroy 99.9 per cent of waterborne microorganisms in a single pass. Unlike some of the other technologies and systems available, UV is an environmentally-friendly alternative and results in no disinfection by-products, making it a popular option in the food and drink industry. Using the correct and consistent dosage, UV treatment has been proven to deactivate the entire rogue’s gallery of microorganisms attribute to spoilage, from viruses right through to moulds. Moreover, its electrical needs are low, meaning it can run consistently with low operating cost, as well as wasting no water, making it a win-win. Whatever the business or sector, reducing water usage isn’t only an environmental imperative, but a means of cutting costs. But there’s no denying that some industries produce massive amounts of wastewater that simply cannot be prevented. Therefore, the onus is on treating that wastewater and recycling it, creating a closed loop solution and helping to solve the water crisis before it ever truly begins. Although water is one of the biggest waste streams, it’s not the only one. In the UK alone, some 7.3 million tonnes of food waste is produced every year. The responsible recycling of food waste offers several benefits to businesses as well as the ripple effect on the environment, our urban spaces and the people that inhabit them. But businesses can perhaps be forgiven for being unsure of how best to dispose of their food waste. Do they donate surplus food and drinks to food banks and other charities, as an increasing number of supermarkets, restaurants retailers? Or do they send their waste to anaerobic digestion (AD) plants where it can be turned into biogas? The answer comes down to size and scalability. For a food business, the former option can be much more viable. There will be peaks and troughs in terms of yield, products sold and surplus. Much of this will still be perfectly edible, but it might be approaching its best before date. A company can forge agreements with one or several food charities and social enterprises to donate quality excess food. No doubt there will also be spoiled products that is unsuitable for human consumption which can be sent to AD facilities. Collecting food waste for AD plants is becoming more commonplace, with numerous trials confirming their logistical legitimacy in our region. Businesses could be free to sign up to regular collections where their waste is taken away and used to generate renewable energy. Surplus products from vending machines can be donated to food banks, so long as they are still edible and fit for human consumption. And that’s exactly what businesses across our region are doing. Collected food is steered away from landfill and sent instead to anaerobic digestion plants. A typical AD plant can generate up to 1,800 cubic metres of biogas from two tonnes of food waste. This is enough to produce 1,800 kilowatt hour of renewable electricity. The Waste and Resources Action Programme (or WRAP) claims that, if the UK achieved zero food waste to landfill by 2020, the nation could reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 27 million tonnes, with businesses saving £2 billion. Food waste isn’t the only by-product used to produce renewable biogas. Agricultural waste is also hugely important in supplying this burgeoning industry. Farming businesses can either work in tandem with a biogas company or, more commonly, choose to erect a digester on their own land. This is a more sustainable option than the wooden pellets more commonly associated with biogas. Studies increasingly doubt the environmental validity of this approach, despite conservation efforts from suppliers. No matter much we close the loop, there will always be waste streams… and that’s okay. The important issue is in how those waste streams are managed and recycled. As we go forward, businesses can no longer afford to shirk their responsibilities and are increasingly taking a more proactive role in their waste. Unique drainage needs met with Allerton Headquartered in Sleaford and serving Yorkshire, Lincolnshire and much of the East Midlands, Allerton is the premier off-mains drainage company covering sales, servicing, commissioning and repairs of all types of septic tanks, sewage treatment plants, sewage pump stations and soakaways. As well as saving you money, the company will maintain your compliance with regulators, help you protect the environment and extend the life of your system. Moreover, Allerton also do specialised pump stations for awkward situations. The company can accommodate specific requirements – such as if something very small, very shallow, or narrow is needed. Although the company is making site visits, they will not enter the house or site, so you can rest assured they are COVID compliant. To find out more, visit www.allertonuk.com. 24-27.qxp_Layout 1 05/11/2020 11:49 Page 428 Business Link www.blmforum.net MOVEMBER M ovember started life as a challenge between friends in Australia back in 2003. Though this had more to do with trying to revive the humble moustache as a fashion statement, the buzz it generated laid the groundwork for what quickly became the Movember Foundation. The following year, the movement raised funds for the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia (PCFA) and, at the time, this was the single biggest donation it had ever received. The next year, the PCFA were on board as Movember’s first official men’s health partner and, in 2006, Movember was recognised with official charity status in its native Australia, as well as attracting a second official partner and spreading to New Zealand. By the year after, the Movember Board was formally established, and the charity launched in the US, Canada, Spain and the UK with Britain’s own Prostate Cancer Charity. Since then, it has grown and grown, gaining more partners, launching in more countries and, of course, raising more funds for prostate and testicular cancer and suicide prevention. Now it has been ranked forty-fifth out of the top five hundred non-governmental organisations in the world. Where most charities sport a coloured ribbon as their logo, Movember is rightly emblazoned with a moustache. Though anyone is free to make a donation to the charity, or run an event to raise funds, nothing is quite so emblematic of Movember than the sponsored growing of a tash. Movember is the perfect charity outlet for businesses looking to raise funds for a worthy cause, with colleagues, customers and others sponsoring a business leader or partner to grow out their face fuzz. Though some companies, especially in the law and finance sectors, may have a Remember, remember Movember Businesses across our region have a key role to play in helping to raise funds and awareness for men’s health and for human health at large. Movember makes men’s health both fun and accessible, allowing everyone to get involved, right from the sales floor to the boardroom. 28-31.qxp_Layout 1 05/11/2020 11:52 Page 1www.blmforum.net Business Link 29 MOVEMBER stricter uniform policy than, say, a digital agency, Movember offers the opportunity to let their hair down… literally. Not only can this create a positive atmosphere in- house, it can also inspire conversation with clients, who might themselves be driven to sponsor your spiffing new lip foliage. Men have gained a reputation as being sticklers when it comes to their health. There have been plenty of stories to back up this claim, with the media spotlighting men who have ignored health issues only to find themselves in early graves. Indeed, men are twice as likely as women to ignore health complaints. There’s no easy answer when tackling this issue, with as much of the blame heaped on society and cultural stigmas as men themselves. In a world which encourages men to shun public emotional displays and maintain a hardened stoicism at all times, it’s hardly surprising that they’d rather ignore health concerns than admit they’re weak or in distress. Society itself needs to evolve to truly overcome this issue, but in the interim, charities like Movember can help ease the stigma and assure men it’s okay © Shutterstock /Morocko 31 Á To make a donation, visit www.uk.movember.com/donate 28-31.qxp_Layout 1 05/11/2020 11:52 Page 2Next >