Musculoskeletal accidents don’t at all times present up on the manufacturing report—however they hit onerous the place it hurts: your workforce, your margins, and your momentum.
Guide palletizing is likely one of the most bodily demanding duties on the manufacturing unit flooring. It’s additionally probably the most missed in relation to price. Certain, it appears easy—choose, place, repeat—however the actual value of this repetitive pressure goes far past a sore again and some misplaced workdays.
Right here’s why the true price of handbook palletizing is way larger than you suppose—and what to do about it.
What’s actually driving the fee?
When a employee will get injured whereas palletizing, the apparent bills comply with: medical remedy, employees’ comp, possibly even authorized charges. These are your direct prices—and so they’re steep. In keeping with the Nationwide Security Council, the typical decrease again harm prices over $39,000 in medical and indemnity bills.
However the oblique prices? They’re usually 2–5x larger.
Suppose turnover, coaching a temp, manufacturing delays, time beyond regulation for replacements, decrease morale, missed deadlines… All of it provides up. One pressure harm can imply your organization must generate over $2 million in further gross sales simply to get better the fee.
And if that doesn’t sting sufficient—your premiums go up subsequent yr.
The worth of inaction
Right here’s the kicker: in international locations just like the U.S., Canada, and throughout the EU, MSDs (musculoskeletal problems) account for as much as 30% of all office accidents. Most are tied on to handbook dealing with—particularly palletizing.
What’s extra, many of those accidents don’t occur in a single day. They creep in over months of repeated lifts, awkward postures, and overexertion—till somebody abruptly can’t end their shift. The end result? A sluggish drain on efficiency, morale, and profitability.
Automation isn’t a price—It’s a protect
Right here’s the place it will get fascinating: palletizing is likely one of the best duties to automate—and probably the most strategic locations to begin.
With a cobot palletizer, you:
- Take away employees from injury-prone duties
- Scale back insurance coverage premiums
- Get rid of downtime from strain-related accidents
- Shield your staff and your productiveness
The ROI isn’t nearly labor financial savings anymore. It’s about threat prevention—and in right this moment’s market, that’s priceless.
From ache level to revenue heart
In the event you’ve been holding off on automation as a result of it felt too advanced or pricey, begin by taking a look at the actual price of staying handbook. The numbers don’t lie. And with trendy cobot options that set up in only a few days, the boundaries are decrease than ever.
Need to get a clearer image? Attempt the OSHA Security Pays Harm Estimator. See for your self how one harm may price greater than a completely put in robotic palletizer.
Backside line
Guide palletizing is hurting greater than your employees—it’s consuming away at your online business.
Simply how a lot is handbook palletizing costing your online business? We will help you discover out!
💻 Do not miss our Ergonomics webinar with Carla Silver – register right this moment!
📘 Obtain our Ergonomics book, additionally by Carla Silver.