MATERIALS HANDLING SYSTEM DESIGN - Environmentally Conscious Materials Handling - page 3

2.2 Standardization

Material handling methods, equipment, controls, and software should be standard-
ized within the limits of achieving overall performance objectives and without
sacrificing needed flexibility, modularity, and throughput. Standardization means
less variety and customization in the methods and equipment employed. There
are three key aspects of achieving standardization:
1. The planner should select methods and equipment that can perform a
variety of tasks under a variety of operating conditions and in anticipation
of changing future requirements.
2. Standardization applies to sizes of containers and other load-forming com-
ponents, as well as operating procedures and equipment.
3. Standardization, flexibility, and modularity must not be incompatible.

2.3 Work

The measure of work is material handling flow (volume, weight, or count per
unit of time) multiplied by the distance moved. Material handling work should
be minimized without sacrificing productivity or the level of service required of
the operation. Five key points are important in optimizing the work:
1. Simplifying processes by reducing, combining, shortening, or eliminating
unnecessary moves will reduce work.
2. Consider each pickup and set-down — that is, placing material in and out
of storage — as distinct moves and components of the distance moved.
3. Process methods, operation sequences, and process/equipment layouts
should be prepared that support the work minimization objective.
4. Where possible, gravity should be used to move materials or to assist in
their movement while respecting consideration of safety and the potential
for product damage (see Figure 1.1).
5. The shortest distance between two points is a straight line.

2.4 Ergonomics

Ergonomics is the science that seeks to adapt work or working conditions to suit
the abilities of the worker. Human capabilities and limitations must be recog-
nized and respected in the design of material handling tasks and equipment to
ensure safe and effective operations. There are two key points in the ergonomic
principles:
1. Equipment should be selected that eliminates repetitive and strenuous
manual labor and that effectively interacts with human operators and users.
The ergonomic principle embraces both physical and mental tasks.