HeroWear
Vector Security
SEEN Safety
New Roly®-Safety Gate design provides protection for personnel injury, product and equipment damage
Mezzanine Safeti-Gates, Inc., an innovator in the design and manufacturing of pallet drop safety gates that provide fall protection in distribution centers, warehouses, and manufacturing and material handling facilities, announced from the 2023 ProMat Show and Expo Booth S1749, a new design of the Roly® safety gate that protects both people and products. The Roly® Product Containment design includes a high strength, high visibility netting system on the ledge side gate that prevents products from falling from elevated storage systems. In addition, the netting on the safety gates prevents employees from getting their hands into the loading zone, away from the machines that are increasingly loading and unloading pallets in drop areas. As the demand for warehouse and material handling space remains high, material handling and warehouses are continually adding a multi-level rack and other product storage systems into facilities. If the storage systems are not contained, products are at risk of falling from upper levels, leaving employees, robots, and other equipment at risk for injury or damage. The Roly Product Containment design uses netting systems containing items two (2) inches or larger, helping to ensure the product is free from damage to itself, employees, or machines below. “Our new product containment design helps facility managers solve a number of problems, all in one system,” said Aaron Conway, president of Mezzanine Safeti-Gates, Inc. “With one safety gate, we can not only protect employees from falling from the edge but also prevent product damage. Additionally, the netting keeps employees from interacting with the machines and robots that are more often loading and replenishing the pallet drop areas. Netting keeps hands out of the loading zone, decreasing the risk of injury. This system will be helpful for facilities as storage is built out.” When the pallet drop area is being loaded, the ledge side gate is open and the netting compacts into the system, clearing the way for pallets to be moved into place. After loading is finished and the pallet area is ready for picking, the ledge side gate closes and the netting extends from the deck to the top frame of the gate, providing full-length coverage to prevent products from falling, decreasing the risk of damage while being picked or moved from the area. In addition to the product containment design, Roly safety systems can be purchased in a variety of sizes including standard stock single and double wide pallet widths. The most versatile safety gate system, Roly models can be customized to accommodate specific pallet widths, depths, and heights, as well as Rack Supported and Total Control Access (TCA) designs. Power operation, push button or remote operation, photo eyes, and integration with WMS systems can be added to all Roly safety gates. Used in thousands of locations throughout the world, safety gate systems offered by Mezzanine Safeti-Gates fully comply with OSHA’s Walking-Working Surface Fall Protection Standard as well as ANSI fall protection guidelines. All models, including loading dock and lifts safety gates, are available in powder-coated mild steel or electro-polished stainless steel.
Get the jump on eye protection
Brass Knuckle® Grasshopper (BKDST-1010N) jumps from job to job Get the jump on eye safety with the versatile protection and comfort of Brass Knuckle® Grasshopper (BKDST-1010N). Grasshopper combines a host of superior comfort features with a wall of protection against dust and dirt – and that ultimate compliance killer, fog. A soft EVA foam dust filter with built-in air channels fills the gap between the glasses and the face, keeping dust out. These goggles now also quickly transform, as the dust gasket is removable to allow for conversion into standard protective eyewear, enabling them to jump from job to job with ease. In addition to a clear lens, for further versatility, Grasshopper is also available in a smoke lens for normal outdoor conditions (18% of light passes through), while indoor/outdoor clear mirror lenses provide all-around tint for protection from the glare of bright artificial lighting and sunlight (50% of light passes through). Ideal for workers who change environments throughout the day, a mirror finish allows optical clarity indoors and reduces glare outdoors. For extra safety, Grasshopper is fully dielectric with no metal anywhere in its construction. Outfitted with proprietary Brass Knuckle BK-Anti-FOG coating, this isn’t your typical spray-on film. BK-Anti-FOG is bonded directly to the lens and tested under the most stringent anti-fog standard in the world, the European EN 166/168 standard. BK-Anti-FOG’s properties exceed the minimum set forth by that standard fifteen times over. In addition to excellent anti-fog performance, these glasses also offer abrasion, chemical, and UV resistance that meet demanding industry test requirements (ANSI Z87.1+, EN166K, EN166N, EN166UV). The European-inspired, sporty design includes bend-but-don’t-break, super-flex TPR temples that adapt to any facial profile without distorting optics, while also providing hypoallergenic, non-slip comfort. The soft foam dust filter gasket effectively keeps dust out without feeling uncomfortable to the wearer. Molded nosepieces add to the all-day wearability.
KEEN Utility’s Fort Wayne is a Wedge Boot for the next generation
With the introduction of the Fort Wayne, KEEN Utility reinvents the job site-classic moc toe wedge work boot with 21st-century materials and construction methods. Featuring a wrap-over rubber cap, the Fort Wayne offers flexibility, protection, and traction that blends proven grit with modern design. Other standout features include a direct-attached Luftcell air-infused, PU midsole for weightless comfort, a Barnyard Resistant leather upper, and KEEN.DRY waterproof, breathable membrane. Other safety enhancements include asymmetrical carbon-fiber safety toes that are unobtrusive and 15% lighter than steel as well as a lugged, EH-rated oil- and slip-resistant rubber outsole. A wedge boot for this generation, the Fort Wayne will be available for men.
Vector Security Networks debuts the Forklift Security Cam for loss prevention and forklift orderpicker safety at ProMat 2023
An all-in-one solution helps warehouses, fulfillment, and distribution centers improve operations, manage risk, and mitigate loss Vector Security® Networks, a division of Vector Security®, Inc., and the single-source provider of physical security solutions and managed network services to multi-site businesses across North America will debut the Forklift Security Cam, a one-of-a-kind multi-sensor video solution for loss prevention and forklift orderpicker safety at ProMat 2023, March 20-23, in Chicago. In partnership with supply chain clients and key vendors, Vector Security Networks has designed a video product that will revolutionize the way warehouses and fulfillment and distribution centers improve operations, manage risk and mitigate loss. “With multi-sensor video technology feeding into one camera, our innovative video product allows for a true 360-degree view, recording the actions of both the forklift and its operator,” said Allan Watters, Head of Innovation, Retail Solutions, Vector Security Networks. “Our exclusive solution gives distribution center operations, safety, risk management, and loss prevention teams unprecedented access to video, allowing them to better manage their business and immediately improve both productivity and safety.” Overcoming design challenges, power requirements, and the ability to access video of the forklift itself, this solution has been engineered to universally fit orderpicker forklifts and helps warehouses, fulfillment, and distribution centers improve operations, manage risk, and mitigate loss in the aisles.
HeroWear announces the launch of Its latest Exosuit to help reduce risk of back Injuries
HeroWear set a new standard for exosuits in 2020. In 2023, they’re set to do it again. The industry-leading company has unveiled the highly anticipated Apex 2 — the latest version of its back-assist exosuit. Back injuries and related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) cost American companies $225.8 billion per year, according to the CDC — that’s an average of $1,685 per employee every year. The 2022 Liberty Mutual Safety Index ranked strains from moving heavy objects as the number one source of injuries, accounting for 1 out of every 5 workplace injuries. The Apex 2 leverages the power of science with a focus on comfort, resulting in unparalleled protection and wearability. The suit weighs less than 3 lbs and can take 75 pounds of the strain off a typical worker’s back with every lift, and it reduces muscle strain and fatigue by up to 40% without motors or batteries. The Apex 2 will be launched via a virtual stream on March 8, 2023. Following the launch, HeroWear will take the Apex 2 on tour, allowing people in select cities to experience the suit in person at industry trade shows as well as private and public events. The suit will be available to ship worldwide this summer, and pre-orders are already underway. “When we launched the Apex in 2020, we just wanted to help people do their jobs without sacrificing their bodies, so they could go home with more energy and less pain,” said Karl Zelik, co-founder and Chief Scientific Officer of HeroWear and Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Vanderbilt University. “We accomplished this with the original Apex. It’s impacting people’s lives, on and off the job. We’ve seen it in the data and we hear it from long-time users. But also we listened and learned from these users and identified areas to improve the suit. We are obsessed over the minute design details that make a huge difference in user experience. Now we’re excited to bring these latest innovations to workers around the world.” The science-backed Apex 2 is designed to comfortably provide assistance for hard-working men and women who frequently perform demanding movements such as lifting and sustained or repeated bending. With that assistance, the Apex 2 reduces a person’s risk of a back injury without restricting their freedom of movement. “It’s encouraging to see how the Apex has evolved how work is done and to hear stories about how the suit has already improved the lives of workers,” said Mark Harris, co-founder and Chief Executive Officer. “We’ve been working with some of the largest logistics companies in the world, major auto manufacturers, the US military, food producers, and hundreds of other customers — all with the shared goal of protecting people and improving the lives of workers, while delivering a positive impact to the companies’ bottom lines.” While working with such a large and diverse range of workers, HeroWear actively collected data and feedback to make the industry’s best exosuit even better. The result has been multiple patent-pending innovations that further enhance the wearability, usability, fit, effectiveness, and longevity of the exosuit, all of which are critical for long-term user acceptance. Some of the improvements in the Apex 2 include: More Comfort, Less Heat The Apex 2 improves on the already best-in-class modular design to fit an even broader range of people even more comfortably. And the new design dramatically decreases heat retention — making it better suited for more environments. Durability Material selection and feature design for the entire suit have been rethought to ensure that the Apex 2 will hold up to whatever work needs to be done. From abrasion-resistant fabrics to engineering-grade polymers and aircraft-grade aluminum, the suit will hold up to the most rigorous situations and years of hard work. Ease-of-Use With the Apex 2, it is easier to size and train new users, and donning and doffing are faster and more intuitive. The redesigned, patent-pending switch makes it easy for users to activate the assistance when they need support and deactivate the assistance when they don’t. “An exosuit needs to provide assistance and needs to be comfortable, but it also needs to be easy to use,” co-founder and Chief Innovation Officer Matt Yandell said. “Productivity is important, so we doubled down on our user-centered approach and looked for every opportunity to make the suit easier to use. The goal is for the user to forget they have it on and move how they normally would, but with less fatigue and injury risk.”
Derek S. Foley joins Vector Security® Networks as Vice President of Sales
Seasoned security sales leader to create and execute sales strategy for a single-source provider of physical security and managed network services Vector Security® Networks, a division of Vector Security®, Inc., and the single-source provider of physical security solutions and managed network services to multi-site businesses across North America, has hired Derek S. Foley as Vice President of Sales. In this role, Foley is responsible for creating and executing the sales strategy to maintain and grow existing customer relationships and revenue, and to acquire new customers consistent with company objectives. He was most recently senior director of complex security sales at a global building technology and software, and service solutions provider. Foley brings more than 25 years of experience in sales, with a focus on security sales. “We welcome Derek to the Vector Security Networks’ team,” said Dave Fisher, Division President for Vector Security Networks. “He is a highly-competitive management professional with a proven record of success at driving high levels of profitability through effective staff, operations, and sales management. We look forward to his contributions as we continue to grow the business.” A graduate of Kent State University, Foley resides in Madison, Ohio.
KEEN Utility Reno delivers a lighter and faster work boot in an outdoor tradition
New for Spring 2023, KEEN Utility’s Reno delivers a lighter, faster work boot steeped in outdoor tradition, but designed for the demand of the modern work site. This versatile boot features KEEL BELLOWS FLEX technology, an ergonomically engineered system designed to offer multidirectional flexion making bending, squatting, kneeling, and knee-down work up to three times easier. Other products highlights include a KEEN ReGEN midsole that returns 50% more energy than standard EVA foam, a KEEN KonnectFit heel capture system to lock the heel down for sure-footed stability, and an ankle-heights engineered mesh upper and KEEN DRY waterproof, breathable membrane to provide dependable indoor/outdoor performance. At the same time, the Reno does not sacrifice when it comes to safety, offering asymmetrical carbon-fiber toes as well as an EH-rated, oil-and-slip-resistant rubber outsole to provide dependable footing. Built for the industrial athlete, the Reno is available for men and women in several colorways and collar heights.
Keep forklift safety simple; no need for a 360° view
Forklifts are an essential tool for countless industries around the globe; however, they also present a significant risk to workplace safety. 78 people lost their lives to forklift accidents in the United States in 2020, and 36% of those were pedestrians. Thankfully, pedestrian detection sensors for forklifts effectively address the potential fatal interactions between equipment and people by alerting operators when a person has entered a hazardous zone around equipment. Unfortunately, while many available options can help reduce the potential for serious incidents, some overcomplicate what should be a relatively simple task. Some sensors offer technology and features that sound good on paper but ultimately make them harder to use and increase the time and cost of purchase, implementation, and maintenance. As a result, instead of sensors making life easier for companies by solving a significant issue, they create new problems. Some pedestrian detection sensors offer a 360-degree view around equipment paired with Artificial Intelligence to detect people. The downside is that these systems also require expensive hardware, multiple cameras, and complicated software. Also, while a 360-degree view of equipment sounds great, most forklift accidents happen behind the forklift while reversing. This fact means companies that implement this type of sensor rarely receive the return on investment that they intend. Unfortunately, these systems have questionable reliability. They are very sensitive and often alert even when there isn’t a threat. The negative repercussions of these constant nuisance alarms are that operators and pedestrians quickly lose faith in the product and its ability to detect real threats. As a result, operators and pedestrians no longer respect the alerts and don’t take evasive action when there is a genuine threat to safety. In addition, these high-tech systems are often delicate and extremely sensitive and struggle to operate in harsh environments. Considering that many industries operate in extreme conditions, this fragility and sensitivity make these pedestrian sensors a less-than-ideal option for many. Finally, a persistent issue with many pedestrian detection sensors is that they detect obstacles and pedestrians but offer no additional insight into accidents and near misses. This lack of data makes it harder for management to demonstrate the return on investment of sensors and prevents them from learning from incidents that could improve overall workplace safety. SEEN Safety can help SEEN’s safety sensors focus on the critical risk zone behind a reversing machine. By focusing on the area with the most risk, detections only occur when there is a real risk of accident and injury to pedestrians and the machine. But preventing accidents is only half the battle to create a safer workplace; companies also need to know where to focus their attention to prevent reoccurrence. Increased visibility and data into incidents and near misses help reduce complacency and guide leaders toward where to invest additional resources, training, and safety measures. Visual proof is the most powerful tool to achieve this goal. Every time a pedestrian detection sensor goes off; there is the potential for a severe or fatal accident. Seeing the exact circumstances surrounding an event can help prevent that risky situation from happening again. SEEN Insight which includes an IoT camera and app provides visibility and evidence of detection events. The camera snaps a picture and films a short video every time SEEN’s sensor detects a potentially harmful interaction and sends that critical information to the SEEN Insight app. Within the app, key stakeholders can dig deeper into detection incidents and gain greater insight into why they occurred while identifying areas of concern and where to focus their attention for improvement. SEEN insight provides leaders with strong visual evidence and robust analytics that give them the information and the proof they need to begin implementing real, effective change that improves safety. Schedule a demo today and see whether Seen’s pedestrian detection sensors and the new accessory, SEEN Insight are the right fit for your workplace. Get Started with SEEN.
National Ladder Safety Month: The perfect time to “Step Up” employee training
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, ladder deaths accounted for 161 on-the-job fatalities in 2020, the most recent year for which statistics are available. That same year, there were 22,710 ladder-related workplace injuries, an injury stat that has remained relatively constant over the previous several years. The point is, ladder safety is a serious topic, with a staggering cost to businesses and an even worse impact on families that lose loved ones. March is National Ladder Safety Month, spearheaded by the American Ladder Institute (ALI). This, its seventh year will focus on four key themes: Week One – Choosing Your Ladder Week Two – Safety Before the First Step (Inspection and Set Up) Week Three – Safety While Climbing Week Four – Safety at the Top ALI believes ladder accidents are preventable with thorough safety planning, training, and continuous innovation in product design. The more people, organizations, and businesses that get involved, the wider the message spreads, and the more people learn about proper ladder safety. ALI’s Ladder Safety Training site, https://www.laddersafetytraining.org/, makes safety training easy with an organized curriculum, a video and resource library, and free registration. Because every life saved is precious, the goals of National Ladder Safety Month are to decrease the number of ladder-related injuries and fatalities, increase the number of ladder safety training certificates issued by ALI, increase the frequency that ladder safety training modules are viewed on https://www.laddersafetytraining.org/, lower the rankings of ladder-related safety citations on OSHA’s yearly “Top 10 Citations List,” increase the number of in-person ladder training and increase the number of companies and individuals that inspect and properly dispose of old or damaged ladders. Every step matters. From step stools to extension ladders, make sure you’re putting the right foot forward. This March, National Ladder Safety Month, is the perfect time to step up ladder safety efforts and direct employees to take courses on https://www.laddersafetytraining.org/.
Bringing Li-ion to material handling markets
As lithium-ion power becomes more common in material handling industries, companies providing the batteries are working through current supply chain logistics and within the rare materials markets to get Li-ion power to customers. And some say they foresee the demand for lithium being strong through 2023. Green Cubes Technology is a business that develops and manufactures “safe and reliable electrification solutions that enable customers to transition from lead acid and internal combustion engines to lithium-ion battery power,” according to Robin Schneider, director of marketing. She said Li-ion batteries improve operational efficiency because the batteries can be fast charged and last “for thousands of cycles, allowing a single battery to support a truck operating 24/7.” Green Cubes, which Schneider said utilizes proven hardware and software platforms to build reliable lithium power solutions for the material handling industry, has over 300 employees across six countries. The business has been producing “innovative, high-performance and high-quality power solutions” since 1986, according to Schneider. She said procuring electronics for the company’s products is a challenge in the current market. “As in most industries, we are experiencing issues securing electronics that provide safety and intelligence for the battery management system. While this is presenting a challenge to our team, for the most part, our batteries are purchased along with new industrial trucks and the truck lead time is longer than the lead time for the battery,” Schneider said. Green Cubes also manufactures Li-ion battery chargers and the lead time for those is much shorter, according to Schneider. She said the company projects increased demand for Li-ion batteries in 2023 since the value proposition is “now widely recognized in the industry.” “Increasingly, we see large enterprise customers replacing lead-acid batteries in existing fleets over the course of a few years,” said Schneider, who noted that Green Cubes is a charger member of the new Advanced Energy Council. The council is “a working group within MHI which will help this nascent industry develop standards and collect industry-wide data trends,” Schneider said. At BSLBATT, lithium-ion technology solutions are both designed and manufactured, according to Haley Ning, marketing manager, who dubbed the business a “fast-paced, high growth and high-tech company.” “Our battery packs are used to power industrial and commercial equipment,” said Ning, noting forklifts, renewable energy equipment, and new applications like golf carts, floor machines, marine, and mobile elevated work platform stations as examples. “The company takes the development and production of advanced series BSLBATT best solution lithium batteries as its mission,” Ning said. One issue in the business in recent years has been the price of lithium carbonate, according to Ning. “Since 2021, the price of lithium carbonate has soared about 10 times based on 2020 prices. No one expected prices to fluctuate so much,” said Ning, who said the price shifts have been attributed to a mismatch between supply and demand. The price fluctuation of the commodity lithium is in line with the development of the industry and is expected to ease within two to three years, according to Ning. “Electric vehicles and energy storage are the main drivers of global lithium demand. In order to accelerate the promotion of zero-emission vehicles, countries have increased policy support and government subsidies for new energy vehicles,” said Ning, who said the acceleration of transportation electrification has driven the rapid expansion of lithium battery production capacity. The dual demand for energy storage and new energy vehicles has translated to global lithium resources being tight, according to Ning. “In addition, due to the complex mining process and long cycle of iron ore and lithium ore, the increase in production capacity of upstream mining companies often lags behind the growth of downstream demand,” Ning said. However, price increases must have an upper limit as new energy and energy storage systems bring sustainable energy to more users around the world, according to Ning, who noted that reducing costs and increasing production will go hand-in-hand. BSLBATT puts “quality first” and has a layout of overseas offices and warehouses in the U.S., offices in Europe, and the establishment of a BSL factory in Mexico, according to the business. The locations are “all aimed at delivering high-quality products to our customers quickly. In addition, we strive to create value for global customers and partners and seek to grow together with them,” Ning said. Products associated with batteries have also seen a high demand recently. Valley Industrial Battery sells many battery slings designed for safety, according to Kenny Strong, the company owner. “We sell a ton of those slings,” said Strong, who said the slings are rated for up to 5,000 pounds. He said the slings, which include rubber-coated hooks, prevent conducting electricity and can be operated by one person. The slings themselves weigh just four pounds at shipping. “That includes the box,” said Strong, who said the product presents a safer alternative to steel chains for battery changing. “Basically, a guy if he’s going to do an install, he’s not lugging in a 150-pound battery or a rusty old chain,” said Strong, who said the business has been selling the slings for the past four to five years. “We sell them all over the country,” said Strong, who said the business has never had a supply chain issue with supplying customers with slings. “It’s a very basic product. When we’ve got a customer who is apprehensive, we just send a demo. Knock on wood, they’ve never sent them back,” Strong said. “They’ve always kept them and ordered more.” About the Author: Eileen Mozinski Schmidt is a freelance writer and journalist based in the Greater Milwaukee area. She has written for print and online publications for the past 14 years. Email editorial@MHWmag.com. If your company would like to be featured, email editorial@MHWmag.com
Registration opens for ASSP’s Safety 2023
The American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP) has opened registration for its signature safety event. The Safety 2023 Professional Development Conference and Exposition will be held in person June 5-7 at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center in San Antonio. More than any other professional event, Safety 2023 will connect workplace safety and health professionals to new ideas and each other. It offers the richest networking experience in the industry while highlighting best practices, industry trends, and the latest product innovations. More than 200 continuing education sessions will provide practical information that safety professionals can immediately put to use in their organizations. “As always, our conference and expo will be a dynamic learning and networking experience that supports our mission to help protect workers in every industry worldwide,” said ASSP President Christine Sullivan, CSP, ARM. “It’s a place to find real solutions to occupational safety and health challenges, especially now when environments can quickly shift. We’re excited about what we have in store for attendees.” Thousands of safety and health professionals look to ASSP’s annual conference – now in its 62nd year – to grow their professional development and meet experts who can help them advance their careers and elevate safety at their companies. Popular general and plenary sessions will aim to inspire, entertain and inform all attendees. The conference will not include an online component this year. As a focal point of the event, the expo will feature approximately 500 vendor booths showcasing innovative safety solutions that can help organizations reduce injuries, illnesses, and fatalities. “Our expo is so illuminating, engaging, and informative that we get some safety and health professionals coming only for that,” Sullivan said. “Many exhibitors bring their product developers and present meaningful learning opportunities on the expo floor.” The safety and health of everyone at the convention center remain a priority. Under ASSP’s on-site safety plan, attendees are strongly encouraged to stay current with their COVID-19 vaccinations and applicable boosters. Face coverings and proof of vaccination are not required. ASSP continues to track public health guidance. Safety professionals can earn 1.5 continuing education units (CEUs) for career advancement. Register online to get the discounted early rate through March 16. Groups from the same company can save on the entire conference by contacting ASSP’s Nancy O’Toole at 847.768.3466 or notoole@assp.org. ASSP is also offering an expo-only pass for the third straight year. “If your job involves the safety and health of your organization, Safety 2023 is the place to gain critical insights and knowledge to advance your work environment,” said Stephanie Gurnari, CSP, chair of ASSP’s Professional Development Conference Planning Committee. “It’s a comprehensive experience that provides significant value for occupational safety and health professionals at every level of experience.” The convention center is along the banks of the famous San Antonio River Walk, which includes 15 miles of restaurants, shops, and museums. San Antonio is an international culinary destination and last hosted ASSP’s conference in 2018 when the Society launched its new name and brand. The historic downtown area is also home to the Alamo, the Spanish mission and fortress compound founded in the 18th century.
Episode 351: Powerfleet
Scott Walker, VP of Supply Chain Product Management at Powerfleet, joins The New Warehouse podcast to discuss their people-powered IoT solutions for multiple industries. They provide businesses with actionable insights that can increase safety and sustainability while making team members happier. With real-time asset visibility, route optimization, predictive service scheduling, condition monitoring, enhanced training opportunities, and more, Powerfleet makes it easier to take complete control of your material movements. Be sure to tune in to learn about people-powered IoT solutions and how you can make your warehouse safer, more efficient, and a more enjoyable place to work. Key Takeaways Scott believes that due to the combination of retirements and new job growth in the manufacturing sector, a significant gap in employment will rise over the next decade. Nearly 4 million job openings will remain unfilled unless businesses find new and innovative ways to fill these roles. With only half of those positions likely to be filled by qualified personnel, companies urgently need to adopt technology-driven solutions that can reduce time spent on tedious tasks while increasing value-added roles. The industrial environment is one of the most dangerous places besides car accidents. Powerfleet provides a much-needed element of control, aiming to increase safety practices in the workplace and giving workers more opportunities that bring personal fulfillment and optimism for the future. All these factors combined create a more positive and less stressful environment for those on the job. Powerfleet implements devices that give them immediate feedback to acknowledge material handling equipment like forklifts are safe to operate. If something is wrong, it triggers an alert to notify maintenance to come and make sure it’s safe. The latest technologies integrate a pedestrian warning system to enhance their ability to predict whether or not there’s about to be an incident. If employees operate the equipment unsafely, like going too fast around this corner or bumping into something, it seems too rough for what we expect. Powerfleet’s technologies use artificial intelligence via a video panel that scans areas in the direction of travel 30 to 50 times a second. The AI-based system also allows companies to identify unsafe areas or drivers who may need extra coaching, making it easier for managers to take corrective action before an incident occurs. Scott believes Powerfleet’s success lies in its ability to create scalable solutions across a wide range of equipment. They’ve been able to install their technology on all types and models, regardless of the make or model year. They also have custom mounting solutions to fit each vehicle type and make installation easier. The New Warehouse Podcast EP 351: Powerfleet
AMESPHERE: The next frontier in workplace safety will launch at ProMat 2023
A new era in safety technology will be revealed at ProMAT 2023 by AME. AME has long proclaimed that safety and efficiency should not be opposed and has provided products and services that move sites toward proactive safety and enhanced productivity. The next evolution in this concept, “Amesphere” enable everybody to create a safer space through technology. “We are very excited about Amesphere,” says Claudio Salvador, President and CEO at AME. “It is the ultimate innovation to enhance protection and provide the perfect balance between safety and efficiency in the workplace. We are inviting everyone who is involved in site management to come and see how it works and how it will protect personnel, reduce operating costs, and add value to the business at our booth at ProMAT 2023.” Amesphere is a ‘safety as a service’, cloud-based platform that uses data and real-time information to avoid collisions, allow vehicles and people to work safely together and provide complete peace of mind for operators and management. It is remarkably easy to install and uses centimeter precision anti-collision technology. Ultra-versatile and readily adaptable to the unique needs of all workplace environments, Amesphere will create a new frontier for workplace safety. Salvador concludes, “This is a real game-changing technology in how companies approach safety and takes us closer to making accidents a thing of the past. What a goal that would be!” Visit AME at ProMAT 2023, which runs from March 20-23 in Chicago. AME experts will be on hand to answer your questions and show.
APS Resource introduces new Vertical Aerial Safety Light
APS Resource announces the introduction of its newest innovation, the Vertical Aerial Safety Light which provides an extra layer of visual communication about vehicle restraint status for dock operations. Sold in pairs, each 18-inch Vertical Aerial Safety Light is designed for universal mounting to the upper end of the track on either side of the dock door. Constructed of ultra-high molecular weight (UHMW) polyethylene, the Vertical Aerial Safety Light’s wrap-around design still allows for easy door operation. The Vertical Safety Light can also be mounted directly to the wall. The Vertical Aerial Safety Lights, which weigh only six pounds each and are impact, rust, and moisture resistant with easy wire connections for 120V incoming power, help to mirror the status indicator on the restraint control panel using red and green LED colors as an additional visual indicator (as well as amber LED if the restraint control panel is equipped with an amber light). According to APS Resource Aftermarket Sales Manager, Mark Smith, “Because the Vertical Aerial Safety Lights are intended for mounting high on the door tracks or on walls, they provide additional communication to employees inside loading docks and above any visual blockages such as stacked crates, pallets, equipment, etc.”
ASSP reacts to fatality data expects impact at DEI Summit
The American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP), the world’s oldest professional safety organization, is disheartened by newly released fatality data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The BLS reported that the fatal occupational injury rate of 3.6 fatalities per 100,000 full-time equivalent workers in 2021 represented the highest annual rate since 2016. Furthermore, ASSP is troubled that the share of Black or African American workers fatally injured on the job reached an all-time high of 12.6 percent of total fatalities in 2021. The Latino worker fatality rate of 4.5 per 100,000 workers also remained significantly above the national average. “It’s unacceptable that our nation’s fatal worker injury rate is at a five-year high – a fact made worse by minority populations being disproportionately impacted,” said ASSP President Christine Sullivan, CSP, ARM. “Most occupational incidents are preventable given today’s technologies and proven safety and health strategies. Employers must be proactive in adopting workplace safety standards to protect workers across all industries.” ASSP, which has 36,000 members worldwide, is increasing its focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in the occupational safety and health profession, understanding there is a connection between DEI concepts and workplace safety. The organization has planned a free daylong DEI Summit on Jan. 26 that is open to workplace safety and health professionals everywhere. Registration for the online event opened on Dec. 1. “Diversity helps strengthen an organization in many ways, including the safety and health of its workforce,” Sullivan said. “We are going to hear from experts and collect different perspectives from attendees on how we can elevate DEI in our profession.” Presenters and participants will collaborate on the DEI issues facing the industry today, generating ideas on how to remove barriers and build inclusive cultures to help the safety profession create safer workplaces. Discussions will focus on the way DEI directly impacts workplace safety and health. “It’s so important to understand how societal issues such as racism and systemic inequities can undermine workplace safety and disenfranchise workers,” Sullivan said. “Organizational improvement occurs when diversity, equity, and inclusion are embedded components of a business strategy.”
New Hikvision Dual Lens PanoVu Panoramic Camera offers Bi-Directional Video Security in one unit
Hikvision, a global manufacturer and supplier of security products and solutions that deliver the ideal combination of high performance and extreme value, introduces its new Dual Lens PanoVu Panoramic Camera (DS-2CD6D42G0-I) for applications that require dual coverage with one camera. The two lenses in one design deliver lower installation costs and saves money by reducing the number of cameras required for comprehensive security. “We’ve packed advanced, dual-lens technology into a compact unit that provides the coverage of two conventional cameras in one,” said John Xiao, Vice President of Marketing, at Hikvision USA. “This unique design makes the PanoVu dual-lens camera ideal for applications where bi-directional security is required, such as indoor hallways or large outdoor areas.” The new Dual Lens PanoVu Panoramic Camera uses two 4 MP 1/2.7-inch progressive scan CMOS sensors to capture 2688×1520 resolution video per sensor at 24 fps, for a total resolution of 8 MP. The 3-axis gimbal adjustment and 3D DNR technology deliver clean, sharp images with 2-channel WDR continuing to provide clear imaging against strong backlight. Other exciting features of the Dual Lens PanoVu camera include H.265 video compression technology, a built-in microphone for real-time security audio, and easy installation with Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) technology. This camera is also water and dust-resistant (IP67) and vandal-resistant (IK10) for use outdoors. The Dual Lens PanoVu Panoramic Camera is currently in stock and available now.
Brass Knuckle® application-specific protective gloves are easy to source
The hand is the leading body part injured at work and treated in hospital emergency departments, with acute hand and finger injuries sending over one million workers to the emergency room annually in the United States. Brass Knuckle® offers a complete line of gloves for maximum protection along with comfort and dexterity — and the company strives to make specifying gloves easier, with robust selection tools that make narrowing down glove choices a breeze. In its effort to help make gloves fit better, Brass Knuckle shines in the “construction of the glove.” Gloves are tested and measured against the following criteria: longer wear life, maximum dexterity, defined flex points, plus a wide range of protective features. Application-specific glove construction is critical. Brass Knuckle leads in understanding fibers, coatings, special features, and other material construction attributes that blend protection and value. Brass Knuckle offers three signature, application-specific glove lines, with multiple gradient options within each line. SmartCut™ gloves are cut-resistant from ANSI cut 2 through 5 and from 12 through 18 gauge. The cut lineup includes the company’s SmartShell™ glove, a favorite for impact protection. SmartSkin™ gloves keep hands dry from nasty and sometimes dangerous liquid hazards without compromising comfort. SmartFlex™are superior general-purpose gloves with a construction that delivers unparalleled comfort. CleanHand® disposable gloves are also available. Brass Knuckle provides two ways to find the perfect glove. An exclusive interactive tool allows you to choose gloves by type, gauge, shell, and coating. Or, use the Hand Protection Product Selector Guide and see the full line of Brass Knuckle gloves at a glance, with 15 individual characteristics that define each glove.