Let’s get straight to it: ergonomic accidents aren’t only a “safety” downside. They’re a enterprise downside—one which quietly chips away at your productiveness, workforce, and backside line.
And if you happen to suppose you may’t afford to put money into automation proper now, right here’s the actual query: Can you afford to not?
The actual price of ignoring ergonomics
Musculoskeletal issues (MSDs) attributable to repetitive duties like handbook palletizing don’t simply impression employees—they drain whole operations. We’re speaking about:
- $167 billion in whole office harm prices within the U.S. alone
- Over $2 billion in MSD-related claims in British Columbia from 2019–2023
- An estimated €17.2 billion in manufacturing losses from MSDs in Germany
Those numbers are purple flags.
Behind each stat is a crew slowed down, a line paused, a job left unfilled. Chronic again ache doesn’t simply ship employees dwelling—it sends prices skyrocketing and schedules into chaos.
The threat is not simply bodily. It’s monetary.
Every pressure, sprain, or tweak carries a price ticket:
🩹 Direct prices
Medical payments, compensation, rehab, insurance coverage premiums
📉 Indirect prices
Lost productiveness, missed shipments, momentary labor, morale harm
📈 Reputation threat
Poor security data damage your means to draw and retain expertise
Add within the rising world stress for compliance—from OSHA within the U.S. to EU directives—and ignoring ergonomics rapidly turns into a big gamble no good enterprise ought to take.
“Musculoskeletal issues (MSDs) accidents wouldn’t have solely direct medical prices but in addition hidden oblique prices which could be 1 to five occasions greater than the direct prices. These prices can impression an organization’s profitability and should require elevated gross sales to offset the extra prices.” — Carla Silver, Certified Safety Professional and Safety Innovator
Why handbook palletizing is the flashing warning mild
Manual palletizing sits on the intersection of repetitive movement, awkward posture, heavy lifting, and excessive frequency. It’s the textbook case of ergonomic threat.
And but—it’s additionally the best process to automate.
Automation doesn’t simply decrease your harm price. It:
- Eliminates the bodily hazard fully
- Reduces claims and insurance coverage prices
- Frees up employees for safer, higher-value roles
- Boosts consistency and throughput
In different phrases, automation turns a price heart right into a efficiency benefit.
Safer does not imply slower
Some nonetheless assume ergonomic enhancements sluggish issues down. Not with cobot palletizers. Robotiq’s options are designed for:
- Quick deployment (put in in below 3 days)
- Minimal flooring area
- Fast, repeatable ROI
That means you may cut back threat and ramp up manufacturing—with out the trade-offs.
So, are you able to afford to disregard ergonomics?
When you think about harm prices, insurance coverage hikes, and labor turnover, doing nothing could also be your most costly possibility.
Start with one palletizer. See the outcomes. Scale good.
Your crew stays secure. Your enterprise stays robust.
Just how a lot is handbook palletizing costing your online business? We will help you discover out!
💻 Don’t miss our Ergonomics webinar with Carla Silver – register as we speak!
📘 Download our Ergonomics e book, additionally by Carla Silver.
