Guide palletizing may look easy. However behind each elevate is a set of forces, postures, and dangers that add up quick, particularly when finished tons of of occasions per shift.
That’s why the NIOSH Composite Lifting Index (CLI) exists. And in case you’ve by no means heard of it earlier than, it’s time to get acquainted—as a result of it could possibly 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 software developed by the Nationwide Institute for Occupational Security and Well being (NIOSH). It measures the ergonomic threat of guide lifting duties within the office—particularly when a employee is lifting a number of objects, in several positions, at completely different frequencies.
Briefly, it solutions this query:
Is that this elevate protected, or are you pushing your individuals too far?
The upper the CLI, the higher the chance of harm.
What the numbers imply
Right here’s the easy rule of thumb:
- CLI ≤ 1.0 → Acceptable for many staff
- CLI > 1.0 → Elevated threat
- CLI > 3.0 → Excessive-risk, pressing want for redesign or automation
Now think about this: One in all your operators is palletizing 12 lb bins, 700+ occasions per hour, with fixed bending and reaching. That’s precisely the kind of high-frequency, high-strain situation the place CLI spikes—and harm threat 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 damage. It means somebody possible will—and shortly.
Accidents attributable to overexertion and repetitive lifting are among the many most typical and dear office points:
- $39,000+ common price per again harm
- Misplaced workdays, misplaced output, rising insurance coverage prices
- Turnover and recruitment challenges
In case your CLI is excessive, your margins are already below strain.
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Automation drops your CLI to zero
The best method to cut back your CLI? Eradicate the guide elevate fully.
That’s the place cobot palletizing is available in. With a Robotiq system:
- You take away staff from the chance zone
- You eradicate ergonomic pressure on the supply
- You enhance consistency, security, and throughput
No lifting = no CLI = no harm threat.
And with Robotiq’s turnkey palletizing options, you possibly can 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 provides you a transparent, data-backed method to consider threat. However you don’t have to grow to be 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 await the harm report.
💻 Be part of our ergonomics webinar with licensed security skilled Carla Silver – register at the moment!
📘 Want extra particulars and statistics? Obtain our Ergonomics book, additionally by Carla Silver.
