claitec » General

10 Oct 2019

We all try to prevent accidents from happening every day. We look for all possible ways to reduce risks and avoid problems for our workers and workmates. However, we know that accidents – or rather, unforeseen events -, are always present. That´s why today we´d like to share some smart tips that can help you act more effectively when you need to respond to unforeseen events in our workplace.

First of all, we must bear in mind that it´s essential that operators and area managers must be trained in and knowledgeable about first aid. This is a worldwide trend, and the training and periodic updating of knowledge for workers in our industries or factories should always be considered a key part of our training.
Secondly, we must bear in mind that very often, the extent of the consequences of a work accident and its effects on the future of that person, could very well be determined by how quickly the problem was answered or given attention to. Therefore, time is money in these situations, and just as important is to give a trained, reasoned and comprehensive response, and not act in an imprudent and impulsive manner, simply being motivated by the willingness of “wanting to help”.
We know that having a first aid kit is key. In most countries this is mandatory, but beyond that, we must check it constantly and ensure that is kept complete and with all the articles in the correct form and expiry dates. All first aid kits must have – according to local regulations – the items needed to take care of cases such as minor injuries, cuts, scratches, punctures, wounds, burns, blisters, bruises and sprains. They must also be easy to transport to the location of the accident in question.
During an accident we must remember three words: protect, warn and rescue. Protect implies that before taking any action, we must be sure that both the injured party and ourselves are out of risk and out of reach of further damage. This means stopping the machine in question, preventing further loss of gas or liquid, or other similar actions. As far as “warn” is concerned, we need to seek assistance from specialists: doctors, firemen, etc. And finally, “help”: we must act on the injured person within our capacity to do so by assisting with things like checking their state of consciousness and pulse.
Extreme caution in the mobilisation of the injured. The general notion is that the injured person should not be moved unless their integrity is in danger if they remain where they are: for example, in a fire. If it’s necessary to transfer them, it must be done with complete caution, and according to the criteria previously decided, as mentioned at the beginning.

Are you keen to have further information on some of the tools available at Claitec for the prevention of accidents in your industry?

Don´t hesitate to get in touch!

15 key areas in your warehouse and solutions to improve safety in all of them

04 Oct 2019

Warehouses are one of the most important areas in any industry.

In a way, they are the neurological centres where workers and machinery converge and where all types of work activity are at its most intense, day and night, often without a pause.

To ensure the efficient management of resources, the overall improvement in operators’ safety and to eradicate work accidents, it’s vital that a strategic planning of our industrial warehouses be carried out.

A comprehensive look at these spaces and the analysis of existing tools to improve the functioning of these sites will allow us to take very important steps towards safety.

In this post we list 15 key areas in any industrial warehouse, and explain some valuable tools for the improvement of safety and accident avoidance in such spaces:

Vehicle parking. This is the area specifically planned to park company vehicles and industrial machinery. What important safety measures can we take in the parking are? Have one single parking space and concentrate all vehicles in this area. Park all cars in reverse. This is important as it ensures full visibility when removing the vehicles, and it allows for a quick evacuation should it be necessary. You can find out more information about this topic here.
Space for manoeuvring. This is the area intended for work vehicles to carry out all the manoeuvres and necessary tasks for loading and unloading, for docking and undocking the merchandise. In this type of spaces, it’s important to support drivers with clear signage and traffic lights as this helps improve the flow and efficiency of work.
Loading and/or unloading docks. While the two previous areas were located outside of the warehouse building, the loading and unloading docks are designed and equipped with the means and space to load and unload the goods in the vehicles in the safest and most efficient possible way. The LSA (Low Speed Area Solution) helps improve safety in this workspace by limiting the speed limits in forklifts and other work vehicles. The Truck Docking System is also a very helpful and useful assistant in this type of work areas.
Reception Bays. A very high intensity traffic area, this very important space is design to receive and process merchandise and ensure that all goods have arrived according to plan. It is here where operators and forklifts coexist the most, so by using the PAS (Pedestrian Alert System) we will be minimising the risk of having pedestrians ran over and avoiding any type of work accident.
Storage area. This is where the merchandise is to be efficiently and properly stored and controlled, using the storage environment that best suits the characteristics of the products. In these spaces the corridors are the main arteries and, therefore, the proper management of work in such places is essential to avoid errors and gain efficiency. The Narrow Aisle Safety (NAS) solution helps prevent accidents between forklifts in this area while the CAS-G2 forklift anti-collision system warns drivers when it detects other vehicles in nearby areas and/or in risk situations.
Picking area. Here, the customers’ orders are prepared. It usually is a space within the area destined for storage, or a separate area on its own. To facilitate the flow and movement of forklifts we recommend the Traffic Control System used in GSK which separates vehicles from operators at work.
Manipulation zone. In this area is where tasks such as re-labelling, shrink wrapping, packaging change and product recovery take place and as such forklift and truck drivers interact constantly. That’s why we recommend the implementation of the Pedestrian Alert System or the Low Speed Area solution, to help limit the speed of all the vehicles.
Order control area. A space committed to ensuring the qualitative and quantitative control of the merchandise that has been prepared for the customers.
Dispatch Bay. The prepared and controlled orders are placed here and remain in this space until the loading and shipment time.
Returns area. This is where the merchandise returned or rejected by the customers is stored. Here, reverse logistics are applied.
Battery charging area. Every warehouse has a space specially dedicated to the maintenance and recharging of the electrical handling equipment, as well as to the repair or rearrangement of other tools used in the daily management of the merchandise. In this space, it is highly recommended to use a solution that limits the speed of the vehicles to make the site safer and reduce the number of accidents.
Pallets and empty containers area. This is the space dedicated to the storage of pallets and empty containers that are necessary for the storage and preparation of orders.
Administration and services. Every warehouse has a space where all administration and accounting matters are handled. Other similar areas include changing rooms, dining room and smoking room, among many other spaces where operators can rest and ensure their wellbeing. Both the TAG T-10R badge and the PAS Solution contribution enormously to guarantee the personal safety of employees and the reduction of accidents at work. The TAG T-10R is a device that combines dual RFID technology – passive and active which allows our customers to maintain the functionality of existing access control, adding a PAS (pedestrian alert) safety.
Waste area. Here industrial waste is stored, and recyclable, non-recyclable, and hazardous waste matter is divided. We highly recommend the use of the Hazardous Areas Solution solution, designed to prevent operators from falling to pits or conveyor belts and to minimise accidents in presses, crushers and compactors. It also allows perimeter detection in pits.
Other areas. Other work areas are specific to the characteristics and activity of each industry and require customised solutions and measures to achieve better safety at work. These include cold rooms, quarantine areas or valuable storage areas, among many others.

Are you keen to find out more about the application of our tools to you warehouse spaces?

Please, don’t hesitate to contact us! We are always here to help.

The 8 fundamental pillars to prevent workplace accidents

02 Oct 2019

In this post we would like to share several suggestions we’ve found to be very important in order to avoid accidents at work and improve job safety in all industries.

The following is a list we’ve created and labelled “The 8 fundamental pillars to prevent workplace accidents”. We hope you find it helpful!

Order. It’s essential in n every organisation to have clear rules and updated protocols for action. Only this was it’s possible to standardise tasks and prevent unforeseen events, ensuring efficiency and compliance.
Responsibility. A work area requires well-assigned and divided roles and tasks. It needs that each operator understands his/her responsibility and the risks associated with his/her work. This way due care will be taken when acting and when performing potentially risky actions.
Training. The members of the organisation must be trained in occupational safety and accident rates. It is essential that they know the protocols of action against accidents and evacuation, among other several key points. Investing on workers’ training and knowledge improvement always yields positive results.
Cleanliness. Problems related to cleanliness or maintenance of work tend to affect or cause accidents. It is necessary to comply with established standards and avoid accumulation of waste, spilling products, or similar situations.
Trust in technology. It has been demonstrated that the incorporation of technological solutions helps to reduce the number of work accidents and to improve safety in our work spaces. It’s always positive to rely on new tools to improve processes, and to provide greater safety to operators, machinery and facilities in general.
Protection elements. Having the necessary safety equipment for each activity is essential to prevent accidents, as well as being rigorous in terms of requiring operators to comply with the established rules and use those elements whenever indicated. Occasionally, work routines lead to the abandonment of protection elements, but we must not forget that they play a key role in prevention.
Registration and monitoring. After an accident has occurred in the workplace and once its immediate consequences have been addressed and resolved, it is essential to proceed with a report on the matter and generate a specific record. This is key to then be able to have controls on that area and to follow-up on the subject, preventing similar events from being repeated.
Compliance. Although it seems unnecessary to mention it, there are several rules that establish the parameters of control and operation in workplaces and industrial areas. Complying with these safety regulations will be key to avoid accidents. For example: complying with the aspects pertaining to rest hours, ventilation, cleanliness, equipment and medical controls – are just some widely regulated points that we must not be ignored.

If you’d like to have more information about other ways of preventing accidents or if you’d like to be informed about the solutions we offer at Claitec, please don’t hesitate to contact us!

We are here to help you.

Forklift Traffic Control Solutions

24 Sep 2019

General, Products

At Claitec, we develop all our solutions with real problems in mind, always seeking to improve the workflow in all types of industries, creating safer workspaces and preventing occupational accidents. Many of our clients ask us – before implementing our tools in their work environments – what are the differences between some of our solutions and what are their characteristics and qualities.

That’s why in this post we’d like to clarify the differences between the TZ-Tag, the TZ2-Tag Bidirectional and the TZ2-Tag unidirectional devices, describing the purpose of each of them.

We are looking at very similar devices that are intended for different purposes. What they have in common, though, is that all of them always achieve great results. In order to understand the practicality of each of these solutions, let us give you an example:

Imagine we want to increase safety levels in an area of the warehouse where there’s a door through which forklifts circulate.

So, let’s have look at our FIRST OPTION.

In this case, we’ll be using the TZ-Tag plus we would have installed the PAS kit on the trucks. The TZ-Tag does not have a relay, and it can only detect the AC-50 and activate the AC-50 activator relay, so this would slow down the forklift.

We could, however, install a TZ-Tag near the door where we want to enhance a safety perimeter, so when the forklift equipped with the AC-50 activator in the PAS kit enters through the TZ-Tag detection zone, it automatically reduces its speed and it stays that way for as long as it remains within the tag’s safety perimeter. Then, once the TZ-Tag stops detecting it, the forklift will return to its initial speed.

SECOND, let’s look at the possibility of combining the TZ2-Tag Bidirectional plus the PAS kit and a traffic light. This tag allows us to detect and activate the AC-50 Activator relay, which would help us reduce the speed of the forklift. In addition, it has a relay that activates the red light.

In this case, we can install the TZ2-Tag Bidirectional near the door where we want to create a safety perimeter so that, when the forklift equipped with the AC-50 activator of the PAS kit enters the tag detection zone, it automatically reduces its speed and it stays that way for as long as it remains within the TZ2-Tag Bidirectional’s safety perimeter. The traffic light will also be turned to red. Then, once the Bidirectional TZ2-Tag stops detecting it, the forklift will return to the initial speed and the traffic light will return to green.

And, THIRDLY, we’ll discuss the use of the TZ2-Tag Unidirectional together with a traffic light and the PAS kit installed in the forklift. This tag can detect the AC-50, but it does not activate the relay, so it wouldn’t be helpful in reducing the forklift’s speed (although it does have a relay to activate the red light).

In this case, we would proceed by installing the TZ2-Tag Unidirectional near the door where we want to create a safety perimeter. When the forklift equipped with the AC-50 activator of the PAS kit enters the detection zone of the TZ2-Tag Unidirectional, the traffic light turns red when detected. Once the tag stops being detected, the traffic light turns green.

Beyond these products, it is also important to remember that Claitec offers the TCS Traffic Control system, which provides great results in the prevention of accidents, and it’s one of our most sought-after solutions amongst our customers.

Would you be interested in learning more about the systems mentioned above?

For specific enquiries or to have more information about any of our solutions, please, don’t hesitate to contact us. We are here to help!

Come see us at IMHX 2019

17 Sep 2019

IMHX is taking place from 24 to 27 September 2019 in the NEC Birmingham. don’t miss out on joining 16,000+ professionals at the UK’s largest logistics event.

HMHS, Claitec’s importer in United Kingdom, will exhibit our product range and latest developments.

It’s certainly an unmissable event for those of us who are in this field.

So, today, we’d like to invite you to visit our stand!

If you the possibility to participate in this great event, please come and talk to us about our latest developments!

As a prelude to our presence in Birmingham, these are some of the products we will be presenting there:

The new T-10R tag: A long-lasting active RFID device that can be placed on any asset or person. The T-10R stands out for its rechargeable battery, high density LED lighting, vibrator, powerful sound warning, wireless charging and rugged design.
The new CAS-G2 application (forklifts anti-collision): Our traditional solution for forklift detection and presence warning has been reinvented to provide even better results in the prevention of accidents. The new system improves forklift location and gives drivers faster notice when it detects another vehicle in its proximity.
The VAS (Security Alerts Display) solution: A device presented at the beginning of November in Sweden at the Logistik Transport 2018 Trade Fair – the main transport and logistics fair in Scandinavia. Claitec already exhibited this tool in Sweden and it consists of a device that warns pedestrians and/or forklifts of risk situations by projecting signals on the ground. It is a very innovative system, but one of great interest for the industry given its potential to improve job safety.
Wireless charging station: A charger designed to supply 12 T-10R Tags. A very useful tool for companies with a large workforce. This development allows for an automated and very simple loading of the tags, avoiding human errors such as forgetting to check the load.

Do you have any questions?

Do you have more information about our participation in the fair?

Please, don’t hesitate to contact us!

And we look forward seeing you in Birmingham!

Technology and Resistance to Change: 3 keys to face the problem head on

18 Jul 2019

The incorporation of technology in all industries is a process as transformative as it is delicate.
Familiarising any team with technology is a key step, but one which, even today, still generates resistance, distrust and cynicism.
At Claitec we have seen this reality more than once.
In fact, this type of initial resistance is not uncommon amongst some of the customers who later opt for our work safety and accident prevention solutions.

That’s why today we would like to share three key elements that are sure to ease anyone’s doubts about this process, reduce the potential for conflict and achieve better results.

1) Planning and transparency.
The adoption of technological solutions must be a decision thought out and executed with professionalism and clarity, never losing sight of the fact that the operator is a key player in all industrial processes. This means incorporating technology that really generates a valuable contribution for the industry. A contribution that is compatible with the nature of the daily work, and that is understood in its fullness by the operators. In other words: the human team needs to understand the reason why a technological solution is implemented as well as its scope and goals.

2) Solutions.
Similarly, it’s important to view the incorporation of technology to the industry as the adoption of positive solutions. It is absolutely normal for workers to react to the incorporation of new technologies with what’s known as “resistance to change” – or the fear that the unknown is to generate a break from the dynamics which are already known and dominated, thus displacing the person from his or her task. Therefore, it is essential to accompany this process with clear and transparent information showing the worker that, in many cases, the incorporation of technology will, in fact, assist in his or her task, increase safety and reduce accidents. And that it will allow the industry to improve in efficiency and competitiveness, working as a true ally for all members of the team.

3) Training and opportunities.
The incorporation of technology to the industry also opens a wide range of opportunities for operators to train and improve their training in order to master and handle the new tools with ease. It is very important that the operator feels comfortable using them and feels involved, motivated and eager to improve – never outside the process, always from within. This will allow him or her to improve in their task and achieve better results. And it will have a very positive impact both personally and at a general level.

Do you have any questions about our systems and the ways in which they can contribute to improve the safety of your industry and reduce accidents?
Please, do not hesitate to contact us: we are here to help.

Useful Tips to Beat Low Temperatures at Work

12 Jun 2019

At this time of the year, our workspaces are invaded by an enemy as silent as it is harmful: the cold. Our routines in factories, industries, storage facilities and other similar places are affected by low temperatures, which can become a serious risk to the health of our workers.
In this article we discuss some of the most common questions on this topic and offer five handy suggestion to help beat the low temperatures we must deal with at work:

What are the risks of working in cold environments and their symptoms?

Thermal stress, hypothermia and freezing are the main risks associated with the cold. These tend to threaten workers who perform their tasks in outdoor spaces. The symptoms that can are generally registered with more frequency include: chills, fatigue, loss of coordination, confusion, colic, respiratory problems, allergies, among others.

¿Quiénes pueden verse más afectados ante este tipo de clima?

Operators of more advanced age, given that their main body defence mechanisms against the cold – such as vasoconstriction and shivering – tend to become weakened with time. This has to do, in many cases, with the loss of their capacity to feel the temperature changes and inadequate adaptation response.
Workers with chronic diseases are also a population at risk. This group includes people with respiratory insufficiencies, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, addictions, neuropsychiatric diseases and other types of acute diseases.
Also vulnerable to this type of climate are people who take certain medications for the treatment of chronic diseases.

What measures can be taken to prevent risks?

You must be committed to take measures that change the factors that affect the thermal balance of the person: be it the activity of the task itself, the temperature of the place, the evaporation of the sweat and the quality of the clothing, among other relevant points.
Apply specific routines to support operators working in such complex conditions. For example: organise and divide the tasks in a way that they become less intense for each worker – you could decrease the level of effort to perform in the coldest hours of the day. You also need to consider the exercise and mobility of all parts of the body and have food and diets adapted to the situation – ingesting hot liquids helps to recover losses of calorific energy.
Provide protective equipment for workers: and offer the necessary clothing for each position and each task.
Follow the weather forecasts regularly: to be clear about the kind of temperatures you can expect and also to learn about experts’ recommendations on the matter.
Pay great attention to the warning signals provided by the human body: look out for symptoms of hypothermia, frostbite or other illnesses or injuries related to the cold.

In summary, it is important to be clear that the low temperatures are not a mere anecdote of each winter working day.
On the contrary, they suppose a drastic change of normal working conditions and can end up putting in serious risk our integrity and that of all the workers that are part of the team.

At Claitec, we work to improve health in work spaces and prevent accidents.

If you want to have more information about our services or if you are looking for advice, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

We are here to help you: https://www.claitec.com/contact/

A renewed Tag in “card holder” format

27 May 2019

General, Products

T-10R Badge Personal Tag

Powerful Lights

The light generated features a
360° angle which can be perceived
from anywhere in the environment
in which it is located.

Vibration

The vibration system that provides
in the presence of a nearby vehicle
and other potential risks.

Buzzer

The tag also generates a high
intensity sound warning, offering a
wide range of warning possibilities.

Wireless charging

The T-10R Badge’s battery can be
recharged wirelessly, adding even
more comfort – and safety.

Panic button

An alarm button for use in an
emergency, as to summon help.

Card holder

It combines dual RFID technology-
both passive and active -, which
allows our customers to maintain
the functionality of access control.

At Claitec we consider a new development to be truly outstanding and useful when it adapts to the needs of our clients, meets their expectations and solves their problems. That’s why, after observing the daily work dynamics and the operations in several industries, we have developed a new product that is already being incorporated by several companies to their daily routines: the tag T-10R Badge.

This new development is an adaptation of the new T-10R tag, which adds the functionality of being a card holder. This means that the operator must only carry one object, but it includes two key elements: the safety tag and the personal identification card. This helps avoid oversights, losses or other types of human errors that, in many cases, generate accidents or similar problems.

The T-10R Badge can be placed on the work shirt, making it more difficult for the operator to forget or misplace. As for its composition, it’s worth mentioning that this tag is a long-lasting active RFID device that can be placed on any asset or person, allowing it to be accurately detected by the AC-50 Activator.

In addition, this device combines dual RFID technology- both passive and active -, which allows our customers to maintain the functionality of existing access control, adding a PAS (pedestrian alert) safety.

The T-10R Badge features many outstanding qualities including its robust design and overall resistance, making it the perfect companion at the many demanding workplaces and activities in our industries and without running the risk of breaking down or generating faults.

T-10R Badge’s battery can be recharged wirelessly, adding even more comfort – and safety – for the operator by ensuring that the tag always has enough power.

It can be charged wirelessly using 2 types of chargers: a unitary wireless charger via USB and a charging station which can load up to 12 tags at a time.

And if that wasn’t enough, this new device comes with a high intensity LED lighting, which provides quick detection and ensures the visibility of the person or the asset carried by the tag. The light generated features a 360° angle which can be perceived from anywhere in the environment in which it is located. In addition, you can know your battery status at any time by means of the status LED.

The T-10R Badge tag is an easy to carry small device with an added vibration system that provides extra warning signals to operators in the presence of a nearby vehicle and other potential risks. The tag also generates a high intensity sound warning, offering a wide range of warning possibilities.

Not to mention that the duration of this battery can go on for over a month! Of course, always depending on its usage levels and other related factors.

Keen to find out more about this new system or about any of the other products we offer at Claitec?

Don’t hesitate to contact us!

We are here to help!

Simple Buzzer: a warning system that protects your hearing

08 May 2019

General, Products