Tips to Boost Efficiency with an Ergonomic Packing Station
The importance of an ergonomic packing station
Manual packing demands optimal conditions and effective execution. Careful planning of a packing station can decrease the risks of work-related injuries, leading to a smoother workflow. Bad posture, stooping, and uncomfortable twisting are common during product packaging, which over time can cause chronic and painful issues. Safeguarding against these injuries with ergonomic workplace furniture ensures a safer and more comfortable workday.
Choose a packing table according to needs
In workplaces where manual packing is a daily task, tailored solutions specific to your needs are essential. Choosing an adjustable work table has its advantages, especially if the packing stations are shared by multiple colleagues. Customising the table height accommodates different users, ensuring comfort for everyone. It also provides opportunities to alternate between sitting and standing, creating movement breaks that increase blood circulation and alleviate strain on various muscle groups.
Ensure your workspace is large enough to handle the volume of products being packed. For larger quantities, the workspace must withstand considerable weight and maintain high durability. Inset rollers in the table surface make it easier to rotate packages, making tasks less strenuous on the body.
What is the best working position?
Providing precise measurements for the optimal height of a work table is challenging. Factors like a person's height and the type of task influence this. As a general guideline for standing work, ensure arms remain at a comfortable level, avoiding excessive raising or lowering. This promotes ergonomic comfort and supports efficient workflow.
Arrange frequently used items within the inner work area to prevent incorrect handling, while less commonly used items can be placed in the external work area. This principle applies to both sitting and standing setups, ensuring efficiency and convenience regardless of working posture.
What is an ergonomic work chair?
Switching between sitting and standing at least once per hour is beneficial. An ergonomic chair should have multiple adjustment options, such as seat height and angle, to open up the hips. If you choose a chair with a backrest, it should support the spine even when the sitting position changes. Whether to have armrests is subjective and depends on the work situation. Free lateral movement is often required in industrial work, making chairs without armrests a better option.
Adding a balance stool or saddle chairr is also beneficial. These activate the back and core muscles during stationary work. Standing chairs facilitate the transition from sitting to standing and are excellent for situations where you're frequently up and down.
The right accessories for your packing table
The risk of work-related injuries decreases when uncomfortable postures can be avoided. Accessories like shelves, accessory rails, and tool boards can be mounted above the work surface, keeping tools within reach and reducing strain. Kraft paper, boxes, bubble wrap, and other packing materials should be positioned to prevent bad posture. Mobile storage solutions, such as workshop drawers on wheels and table trolleys, add flexibility and can be placed where needed.
Minimising small frustrations throughout the workday enhances overall job enjoyment and productivity. Practical storage solutions for packaging and tools, such as roll stands and cutting units, make packing work simpler and more efficient.
Body relief during packing
Packaging tasks often involve handling both large and small goods, leading to unnecessary lifting. Utilise table carts, scissor lifts, or pallet jacks to transport cargo and elevate it to a suitable working height. A scissor lift cart, for instance, makes it easier and safer to transport packages to the packing table and can also be used as a work surface. Both manual and electric variants are available. Explore our wide selection of lifting equipment to find the perfect fit for your needs.
Standing and walking are common in packing work. It's crucial to have a soft base at the workbench to relieve feet, legs, and back. Opt for an ergonomic standing mat with excellent cushioning and a durable top layer that withstands high wear.
A healthy work-life
Various factors contribute to a healthy work-life balance, with ergonomics playing a significant role in enhancing health and comfort. Implementing ergonomic practices throughout the packing process makes work both safer and more comfortable, leading to long-term benefits for staff members and colleagues.
Optimisation assistance for warehouses and industrial work
Do you need professional guidance to plan or design your company's packing stations? At AJ products UK Ltd, we're happy to provide advice and tips. Our goal is to help create efficient work environments where employees can enjoy their workdays.
