We constantly receive calls from EHS Safety Managers who are concerned about the safety of workers in their assembly plants or warehouses. These contacts allow us to understand first-hand the needs of our customers in the area of industrial safety and, in particular the apprehensions of the specialists in this field.

After having visited many companies we’ve discovered a pattern and recognized that the problems and concerns faced by safety managers repeat themselves everywhere. One of the common issues, for instance, seems to be the concern that a forklift could run over a pedestrian in the many spaces where they interact.

The following are some of the most common answers we offer our customers:

Clearly separate and differentiate pedestrian from forklift circulation areas. All pedestrians should know without a doubt which are the areas where they can walk safely. How can this be achieved? By painting the floor and using pedestrian safety barriers.

Signal all intersections correctly. Intersections tend to be highly dangerous areas. A very effective method to ensure safety around them to is to install doorways to warn pedestrians they are about to cross an area with potential forklift circulation. These doorways can be automatic so that if a forklift travels through an intersection, the door gets locked and the workers will not be able to attempt crossing it. Another alternative is to place a light indicator signalling the crossing.

Minimise the number of collection points of finished and raw materials. These are high risk areas so we must do everything in our hands to reduce them. All workers should know how to access these points and, as far as possible, avoid intersecting with the path of the forklifts. If that cannot be prevented, consider safer alternatives such as using a manual truck for that stretch.

The calls we receive from concerned safety managers, however, do not only pertain to the problems they face day in day out. These managers want to know how can Claitec help. They recognize that Claitec’s solutions will eliminate the problem as well as decrease significantly the number of accidents.

For instance, in cases where forklifts are very close to production lines, the ideal solution is to use the LSA. With this system, the company has the ability to mark an area in which the forklift travels at a slower speed, thus reducing the danger of being ran over.

The PAS solution is a particularly useful tool – very popular among Safety Managers – for people who find themselves in the warehouse sporadically such as Quality Control personnel, the Warehouse Manager, external truck drivers, visitors, etc.

Other common enquiries involve low visibility points as far as both pedestrians and a forklift as well as two forklifts. In these cases we recommend using warning systems, traffic lights, warning lights and detection of people and machines to decrease all sorts of risks. You’ll be able to find all the information you need on our solutions in the Products section of our website.

In a nutshell, the Claitec team strongly recommends the following:

• Plan carefully all routes for machines and people
• Physically separate pedestrians and forklift machines
• Signal pedestrians’ paths appropriately
• Automate intersections and use bright signs, traffic lights or lock doors.
• Signal low visibility areas actively
• Protect pedestrians with PAS proximity systems
• Ensure the speed of forklifts is low in the areas of Pedestrian/Forklift interactivity

The potential application of Radio Frequency technology are countless, and this a fact facilitates the access to different alternatives when it comes to improving safety in industrial environments. Fortunately, this capability never reaches its limit since it is possible to always find new uses and potentials for this technology. Of course, everything depends on human ingenuity and access to other types of technology which allow, in turn, to take RD to higher levels.

Claitec’s mission is to seek a safer work environment for our workers today and for future generations. Similarly, innovation is also key to our company’s values: “(…) the continuous improvement of our solutions. We are constantly updating our technological expertise to achieve pioneering innovation”.

Therefore, one can assume that a company like Claitec which, talks about future generations and about a constant improvement in its technological know-how, must hold research and development (R & D) in high regard. But at Claitec we don’t limit ourselves to only investing in this area continuously, but we also seek to transcend the current boundaries of RFID technology, and to enable the next generation of products to improve further and as efficiently as possible in order to minimise the presence of risk for workers in industrial environments.

Our R & D department works within an “axis” which gravitates between two extremes: one which, pursues innovation and creativity to the fullest, and one which focus is obtaining products that meet the requirements of current market needs. Most of the production complies with the latest requirements but another large portion includes prototypes that lead our technology to the limit. It is a process of “Concept Design” which, serves as a generator of new ideas and concepts to share with customers and technology partners.

We also recommend reading: Innovating in the industry to better take care of our planet.

At the same time, and in line with our philosophy of teamwork, we have established links with organisations looking for a relationship that enhances the ability of each party. Plus Claitec participates as an international partner in various research projects in the European Union:

Horizon 2020

This is a framework program created by the European Union with the aim of concentrating and driving much of the research and innovation. The program integrates several activities that are key to the market: from basic research, to technology development, demonstration projects, manufacturing pilot lines, social innovation, technology transfer, proof of concept, standardisation, support for pre-commercial public procurement, venture capital and system guarantees.

The European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) will be part of Horizon 2020 and, through its Knowledge Communities (KIC), it will integrate research, training and entrepreneurship.

The strategic objectives of Horizon 2020 program are:

a. To create a science of excellence,

b. To develop technologies and applications to improve European competitiveness, and

c. To investigate major issues affecting European citizens

Feed a Gene

This program aims to improve the mono gastric livestock production systems in search of greater efficiency and an overall reduction of its impact on the environment. This is achieved by adapting the food, the animals and the different feed techniques.

In this project, Claitec develops radio frequency technology for animal identification.

Diputació de Girona

Claitec has the institutional support of the Council of Girona, through participation in the Program Support for Business Activity 2015. This grant provides Claitec with the ability to have an expanded technical team and, consequently, develop a new generation of products with Radio Frequency technology.

A new summit on climate change is currently taking place in Paris. The conference is crucial as it will introduce a new international climate change pact, which will have a direct impact on all countries, including the regulation on production processes.

Fortunately, authorities in many countries are now showing their keenness to develop environmentally friendly economies that benefit the future of humanity.

In Claitec we continually seek to reduce waste to the maximum, prevent pollution, reuse as many materials as possible and consume minimal amounts of power.

In the next post, we will discuss our commitment to improving product development through eco-design techniques.

How do I get the Tag T-10’s battery to last longer? What do I need to do to stop changing batteries so frequently?

Our customers ask us questions like these concerning the battery life of the T-10 constantly.

That’s why, in this post we’ve decided to analyze these systems and their battery usage, as well as discuss the measures that can be taken to maximise battery life and minimise the number of battery changes required.

It is important to note that the battery consumption depends on many factors and as such, it’s very difficult to be precise about the exact life expectancy of the battery.

How does the TAG T-10 system work?

To better understand the factors that affect the life of the battery, let’s start by analysing how the entire system works.

Most of the time the Tag is in “sleep” mode – in this case, power consumption is minimal (microamperes).

When the Tag is located within the forklift or the verification antenna’s detection area, it switches to “active” mode and it communicates its position to the forklift’s AC-50 device. In this state the Tag consumes a lot more current (milliamps) but only during short periods of time.

Thus, the longer the Tag is in “sleep” mode, the longer it will last.

What sort of duration can we expect?

The answer to this question depends on your usage.

The following are three examples we’ve observed commonly:

Factors that influence the battery’s life expectancy

One of the most important factors is the original quality of the battery.

There are many different brands and – being a standard CR2450 button battery -, it is very easy to find it in any hardware store. However, not all batteries are manufactured following the same quality standards so it is highly recommended to use a renowned brand such as Maxell or Varta.

Environmental factors are also very important.

Batteries are chemical elements and the reaction of these elements is sensitive to temperature and humidity. The environmental conditions in the location where the battery is stored or where the Tag is used will have either a positive or a negative impact on the life of the battery.

Other factors relate to the battery’s usage. For example, we found cases where the Tag is stored near a verification antenna or in a busy forklift zone so that the Tag is active a lot more than it is really necessary.

If the forklift driver does not have the habit of turning off the machine before getting off, the detector will activate the Tag for a few seconds, something which – if repeated several times a day – can also have an adverse effect on the battery’s life.

Tips to help you extend the life of the battery

The following are some easy tips that will help you extend the life of your Tag T-10’s battery:

• Your best option is to rely on The Inhibitor, a device that optimizes the Tag’s use to its maximum (when the Tag is inside the Inhibitor). It is especially suited to make the most of situations where the Tag should not be in active mode and to ensure that consumption is at the lowest possible level.
• Reduce the number of times your staff verifies their Tag. It is recommended to find a balance between ensuring that the Tag is running and spending the least amount of battery possible.
• Ensure that driver turn off their forklifts when not in use.

In short, there’s really not a magic solution to help you postpone the changing of the Tag’s batteries.  However, there is a very effective solution – to save a little bit of energy every day. Small changes will indeed result in a significant extension in battery life in the long run.

Simple changes like using the inhibitor or training staff to properly use it, you will make significant improvements in the life expectancy of your Tag T-10’s battery.

Next November 14^th, 2015, Claitec is participating in the HI-TECH Fair in Shenzhen.

The China Hi-Tech Fair is the most important technology fair in China, and one of the most important in Asia.

Organized by the government of Catalonia, the Department of Acció, it will done an innovation itinerary in order to be known in an international environment.

A number of our clients have expressed their curiosity about the workings of the PAS system.

Many have asked us about the difference between this system and an ultrasonic sensor in an ordinary obstacle detection system.

Others interested in installing the PAS system in their companies, wondered whether they should use this or choose ultrasonic sensors systems instead. This question generally arises as they notice that other companies with similar solutions to Claitec’s offer this technology. For example, there are companies offering ultrasonic sensor as the appropriate solution for drivers who tend to encounter dangerous obstacles in their line of work.

What are and how do ultrasonic sensors work?

Ultrasonic sensors are proximity sensors that reveal objects at certain distances.

The sensors beep and then proceed to measure the time taken by the signal to return.

They function only in the air, without any form of contact, and they can detect objects with different shapes, colors and surfaces.

Ultrasonic sensors can identify solid, liquid or dust-like materials although it is a condition that these must be able to deflect sound. The sensors evaluate the time between the transmission pulse and the echo’s.

Given the fact that these type of sensors do not require any physical contact with an object, they also have the potential for detecting any type of object. Similarly, they can also find objects of any characteristics without the need for adjustment.

The main problem with these devices is the presence of blind zones, i.e., the area between the sensor and the minimum distance which an object can be detected at.

Another limitation is the recurrence of false alarms.

What are the advantages of the PAS system over these obstacle detection systems?

One of the most remarkable advantages of the PAS system – and what makes it truly unique – is its ability to discriminate between people and objects. The PAS system takes safety to a completely new level by warning the forklift’s driver that a pedestrian is approaching.

The ultrasonic sensor is also very limited when it comes to detecting other forklifts.

What happens in most cases is that the front part of the forklift is loaded with goods and this hinders the proper detection of the obstacle. Ultrasonic sensors can only detect obstacles properly from the rear of the forklift.

The PAS system, on the other hand, detects an object or a person at 360° fully effectively.

Last but not least, the PAS system is able to detect persons even if they are located behind a wall or a shelf as its detection system is capable of penetrating materials without any side effect. The ultrasonic sensors, on the contrary, are only able to detect objects that are directly in front of them – a serious limitation to its function.

Achieving optimal levels of workplace safety in the industry has been the main topic of interest for various international organisations.

Various proposals and recommendations are currently being published to act as the basis for the establishment of health and safety systems in companies of different nature.

The International Labour Organisation (ILO) has undertaken the task of describing the basic elements all companies must have in order to eliminate or minimise risks to employees’ health and the chances of accidents in their workspaces.

The suggestions listed below are the minimum requirements all companies must meet to secure basic safety needs.

Research and risk analysis

Research and risk analysis in all areas where work takes place is an essential requirement for a company. It is important to keep track of all elements that may pose a danger to the welfare of employees and take appropriate measures to solve them.

In addition to examining the possible causes of accidents, it’s important to take into account the existence of any agents that might be harmful to the health of individuals working there. An inspection and registration process should be conducted regularly, and it must also include any incidents occurred during this period.

Providing access to workers

The information obtained as a result of the above safety inspections and analysis is not to be used exclusively by the company. All workers should have access to reports that fall within their area of ​​operation, and should preferably be notified by their own employers of their publication.

Employees need to know all the potential risks they may encounter when carrying out their activities, and the protection and safety measures that apply in each event. In cases of high risk or when so deemed necessary, employees must receive appropriate training.

Equipment care

Machinery and work equipment must be safe and be in proper condition at all times. Regular maintenance must be carried out for this purpose.

Likewise, systems and industrial processes should be established with the welfare of the workers in mind. When necessary, the physical and mental capacities of a person should be taken into account before assigning a task.

Besides the relevant training, it is also necessary to adapt the process to the worker. Should special protective clothing or equipment for a given work be required, the company must supply it without expecting the workers to pay for it.

Use of chemical or biological agents

When chemical or biological agents are used, the appropriate conditions must be provided in order to minimise the risks posed by them. All hazardous products must be properly and conspicuously labelled so as to be easily identified. Instructions and technical specifications of all substances must be made available to workers. Whenever possible, you should replace the use of harmful products by harmless or less hazardous versions.

Appropriately informing workers

All workers who may run into some risk while doing their jobs must receive all the necessary information about it – highlighting the dangers, consequences and safety measures that will prevent these risks. It is preferable to reduce the number of workers at risk to a minimum, including those performing high-risk activities and those who are exposed to adverse health conditions. These workers should be regularly monitored and they must register every eventuality related to their work.

In addition to safety procedures, in order to be able to react quickly to an accident, it is necessary for employees to be familiar with emergency response measures and first aid application.

The staff is also responsible

It should also be mentioned that the responsibility for the welfare of workers does not fall solely on employers. Workplace safety and health measures must be followed diligently by all staff.

While it is the duty of managers to provide all information concerning job safety, employees must comply with these measures, use personal protective equipment properly and follow the emergency procedures when appropriate.

Workers may also make contributions to improve enterprise safety models. So where a person considers that a risk to their welfare is not covered by safety procedures, he or she must immediately report it to their supervisors, who should not require the resumption of work to take place until the appropriate measures have been implemented.

It is recommended that companies devote efforts to create a culture of risk prevention and healthy working conditions in their facilities.

Safety systems upgrades

Last but not least, it is vital not to forget that the recommendations set out by the ILO are constantly being reviewed and updated, always adapting to new technologies and procedures as required by each different environment.

It is therefore also necessary for companies to upgrade their safety models and keep themselves informed about the changes indicated by these organisation. One way to achieve this is to work hand in hand with local and national authorities in charge of checking and regulating the relevant normative for the adoption of health and safety measures appropriate in each case.

DS Smith, a leading provider of corrugated & plastics packaging, supported by paper and recycling operations, improved safety levels by implementing the Hazardous Area Solution at their facility in Eerbeek, the Netherlands.

Because of the dangerous nature of the work performed by employees around four large conveyer belts within the facility, DS Smith implemented a system to help improve employee and workplace safety. Blanken Controls BV installed and implemented the Hazardous Area Solution, supplied by Spanish distributor Claitec, at one of the conveyer belts at the DS Smith facility.

All operators were given an electronic tag which should be carried at all times while working in the vicinity of the conveyer belts. The machine is fitted with detector antennas to effectively detect the person carrying the tag, should they fall on the belt. In this case, the machine will automatically be stopped and a serious accident will be prevented.

In addition to the Hazardous Area Solutions, DS Smith tries to improve workplace safety by fitting each forklift or reach truck with ImpactManager systems.

The ImpactManager systems, supplied and implemented by Blanken Controls BV, help improve safety by creating awareness. In a minor collision, the truck operator receives a warning signal. When a severe shock occurs the truck comes to a halt. Only a supervisor can get the truck running again, however a truck operator can still drive for 20 seconds, for example to free a person or cancel a traffic hazard.

By implementing this range of systems DS Smith tries to improve workplace safety and prevent future accidents.

The establishment of workplace safety protocols presents invaluable benefits for workers and companies alike.

Accidents that occur in workspaces are not only harmful to the physical and emotional wellbeing of the individual who suffers them but have also been shown to generate substantial costs – in economic and human capital – for the companies responsible.

Investments in worker protection systems allow employees to better perform their tasks. Although major advances have been made in recent decades in matters of worker safety, occupational accidents remain a source of concern in industries worldwide.

Each year millions of people are victims of accidents in their workplace or suffer illnesses as a result of the activities they perform at work. For many of them, the consequences are fatal far too often.

Despite all the efforts already made, it is necessary to carry out more precise changes in risk prevention strategies in order to improve their impact on the workers’ general welfare.

The most advisable path would be to establish a systematic restructuring of worker protection systems through the implementation of a new model of workplace safety that takes more into account the different risks factors.

In an era of constant change, it is essential to continuously update current risk prevention procedures. Economic systems, the media, access to information and even social trends are constantly changing and have a significant impact on labour practices.

Today, it would not be efficient to attempt to solve the security problems that existed decades ago. Workers are now confronted with new threats in their workspaces while some other risk factors have become less common. It is the responsibility of the companies to identify relevant emerging hazards of our times.

One of the most important adjustments required in safety models is to abandon the idea that the risks to the welfare of workers are limited to accidents.

In a workspace it is also possible to contract diseases, the kind and severity of which depend on the industrial sector concerned. Unhealthy working conditions, exposure to hazardous substances and the contagion between employees are some of the circumstances that could threaten their health. The conditions can range from respiratory diseases to cancer, and all of them represent a severe risk to workers and businesses.

Mental illnesses such as stress, depression and anxiety have also become widespread among workers in all employment sectors. In addition to their effects on the attitude and willingness of the people to work, these conditions produce a reduction in the natural defences of the body, causing the manifestation of many other diseases. This impairs the workers’ quality of life, also reducing their productivity and encouraging absenteeism in companies.

That’s why, these conditions should be top priorities for most companies and yet, they are often completely neglected.

The processes for recording accidents and diseases acquired in workplaces must also be updated. It is not possible to establish the most appropriate safety procedures for a specific workplace if there is no information available on the causes and consequences of risks at work. Proper data collection will allow the identification of the sectors that present higher risk and the activities that require improved regulation regarding safety standards and legislation. Once preventive measures have been implemented, it will also be possible to measure their impact and design the appropriate improvements based on available records.

An adequate register of accidents and diseases should comprehensively cover all areas of work. Currently not enough attention is paid to incidents in rural areas, in small and medium enterprises and informal employment when the inclusion of these workers is essential for the full development of a model of workplace safety.

Although projects of this type may seem difficult to complete at first, it is vital to move towards this direction as they will benefit companies, employees and the economy of an entire region.

There is a worldwide trend towards developing a sound culture of care for the environment. Major efforts are currently being applied to design sustainable systems that help reduce the environmental impact of human activities. Recycling, in particular, is fast becoming one of the most important strategies put forward by countries and cities in this regard. The number of persons employed in related industries is constantly increasing.

A hazardous environment

It is important to note that many of the recycling processes involve high-risk activities that put the physical integrity of workers in danger.

In fact, statistics demonstrate that a worker in the recycling industry is twice as likely to suffer an incident as the average worker, with potential consequences range from severe to fatal.

In most cases, these accidents are due to their constant exposure to the many hazardous objects found in their work environment. Occasionally, the recycling materials they receive are mixed with other types of waste such as chemicals, sharp objects, needles and dead animals. Moreover, these activities are usually carried out in the vicinity of active heavy machinery, further increasing the risk of accidents.

We are all responsible for the wellbeing of workers in the recycling industry

The recycling of waste is not going to and should not be stopped despite the imminent danger to those who perform these tasks.

Recycling is a key part in a process towards establishing environmentally responsible cities. It assists in the reduction of waste emissions into the environment, minimising the use of forest resources and preventing a further negative impact on our climate.

It is thus vital that safety solutions are found that help reduce or eliminate the risks workers in this industry are facing at present.

Recycling companies work tirelessly to improve the conditions of their employees and reduce risks to a minimum by providing the appropriate equipment and safety procedures.

Training staff suitably and not employing temporary workers are some of the important strategies designed to ensure better quality in the workplace.

However, none of these methods is able to completely eliminate the danger found in the work areas. In order to achieve better results, it may be necessary for the governments and people of a city to intervene in the matter.

Because as citizens, we are first and foremost responsible for the recycling process.

Most accidents in this industry occur when recyclable materials are mixed with others which are not. The presence of dangerous objects poses an immediate threat to the welfare of the people exposed to them. In addition, some items such as plastic bags can clog recycling machines and generate additional hazardous condition. In fact, most of the risks in these working environments are result of the bad recycling habits of the people living in a residential area.

Governments can also contribute to the reduction of hazards through the implementation of regulations to govern the recycling process. Campaigning for good practice in waste separation is important to raise awareness among citizens of the consequences of their actions. In addition, by hiring managers and recycling companies that ensure the implementation of proper safety procedures, governments will be promoting the creation of jobs that take place in safe conditions – and that’s exactly what the citizens and the planet needs.