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.