Most people are familiar with the term lean manufacturing and how it is used to focus on waste reduction and overall process improvement. While lean concepts have been a proven way to benefit just about any facility, it is also a great option for companies that want to improve workplace safety. Lean and safety really go together very well. In fact, one of the most popular lean methods, 5S, is commonly being ‘upgraded’ to 6S, …
Barcodes are an older technology which have been used in many different industries for a very long time. The most well recognized type of barcode is a series of vertical lines of varying degrees of thickness. They can be scanned to provide a computer or other device a set of information, which can then be acted upon. There are many different types of barcodes and related technologies, including the QR code, that work in very …
Understanding HAZCOM Standards Organizations all over the world manufacture, import, handle, and store chemicals on a regular basis. Chemicals are used across all types of industries to get all types of jobs done, but some are much more dangerous than others. Harmful chemicals are virtually everywhere; toxic chemicals like ammonia are used in commercial refrigerating, paint gives off volatile organic compounds, and even the gas in your vehicle has the potential to explode. Chemicals can …
The food processing industry is large and complex, and in most cases requires state or federal safety criteria to be observed during each phase of the food processing workflow. These criteria are often defined by a specific set of rules and regulations depending upon the processes in play. For safety managers to be able to ensure that proper safety protocol is being followed at all times in their facilities, OSHA, the FDA and other local …
Six Sigma is a manufacturing methodology that can easily get confusing. With statistics and its vast number of tools, it is important to understand the basics of implementation for a successful Six Sigma project. When it comes to integrating Six Sigma into your facility, there are two methods one can use as a guiding force. Both of these methods are based off of W. Edwards Deming’s Plan-Do-Check-Act cycle. DMAIC The DMAIC process is the improvement cycle …
Looking for a way to make your warehouse more manageable? Building a guiding system is the most important thing businesses can do to maximize warehouse efficiency. Without a sufficient guidance system, navigating warehouses and storage centers can feel like getting dropped off in the middle of forest you’ve never been to, then commanded to find your way home. With seemingly endless rows with racks and racks of products—many of which are packed in boxes or …
5S is an element of Lean Manufacturing, providing workers and managers alike with a visually simple, logical system to organize work areas in both office and manufacturing environments. The goal of 5S is to ‘streamline’ the business and manufacturing plant, enhancing both worker focus and safety. Another benefit, for those bean counters in your midst, is a positive influence on a company’s bottom line, or earning potential. 5S simply stands for the 5 steps (or …
When you manufacture something, production is never on one constant level. Instead there are peaks and valleys that you will need to account for in your business. Products may be discontinued, altered, or even recalled, and demand is a constantly changing number. having a flexible manufacturing process will make it significantly easier to respond to production changes Kanban is a flexible system that is able to help you meet changes in demand and produce accordingly. …
Along with maintaining the vehicle, any forklift operator must use safety precautions while driving it. You must remind yourself of how dangerous these vehicles can be and avoid situations that put you and other employees at risk. This includes any kind of horseplay on or around the equipment. There is always temptation to fool around and play games at work, but the potential for disaster is too great to give in to these temptations. Instead …
Kaizen is the idea of having continuous improvement in the workplace bycontinuously making small incremental changes throughout time that will add up to a larger impact on the manufacturing process and ultimately the bottom line. Implementing the tools of Kaizen and going through Kaizen activities are important for the success and businesses may take different approaches. Daily Kaizen is often used to address smaller improvements while Kaizen events have a more specific focus on a …