Episode 13: Risk Assessments and Food Safety

This week’s interview discusses risk assessments and food safety with John Costello, President of Cherry’s Industrial Equipment. John explains how their industry has changed in the past 5-10 years, and what he expects, moving forward with things such as automation. We discuss what is involved in completing a risk assessment and when they’re necessary. Tune in to learn more about light curtains, stored energy, pinch points, and more. In the United States, it is still up to the purchaser, not the machine builder, to safely guard the equipment. John mentions that there has been a big push in recent years to get EHS managers involved in the purchases from the start.

During COVID, food safety has become a challenging task. John explains what businesses in packaged foods, bakery, meat processing, and frozen food industries are doing to keep food safe right now. He talks about how these companies are considering closed loop systems to keep their facilities as sanitary as possible and ways to increase productivity with fewer employees and increased social distancing. Listen in to hear about the challenges that John foresees his customers facing in the next 5-10 years with automation and robotics, labor shortages, and more. To conclude the interview, we discuss the different ways that Cherry’s Industrial Equipment is adapting to meet their customers’ future demands.

Listen to Episode 13 below:

  • Risk assessments and the process to complete them
  • Specific regulations to be aware of
  • Food safety challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic
  • Future challenges with automation, labor shortages and more
  • Ways to adapt to meet customer demands

John Costello

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Episode 12: Creating a Safer Work Environment

This week, Josh Smith, President at Wholesale Pallet Rack Products (WPRP), joins me to discuss how he has successfully created a safer work environment for his employees and customers throughout the past 6-8 months of the pandemic. Josh discusses changes that they’ve made to the office environment and the warehouse. A particular item we discuss is the BeastWire Mesh Driver’s Cage that he has installed in their warehouse. This has allowed them to increase their security measures and keep people from wandering through their facility. Listen to the interview to learn how everything is working out for WPRP and what feedback Josh has received from employees. One of the biggest difficulties through all of this has been creating a safe environment that could remain open 100% of the time. When will you know if what you’re doing for your organization is safe enough for your employees to feel comfortable at work again?

Listen to Episode 12 below:

  • Biggest safety concerns as a manufacture and wholesaler
  • How to create a handsfree facility
  • Receiving employee feedback and how to reward it
  • Determining when to allow visitors into your facility
  • Recognizing when your facility is safe enough

Josh Smith

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Episode 11: Ergonomics Best Practices

Jim Galante, Director of Business Development at Southworth Products Corp, joined us this week to discuss ergonomics best practices and what we’re not always considering. Jim has over 50 years of experience in the material handling industry. He is Chairman of the EASE Council (Ergonomic Assist System & Equipment), a division of the MHI (Material Handling Industry). In Episode 11, Jim explains why ergonomics are important and different factors that affect businesses. He also shares recent trends and ways companies can improve ergonomic safety within their warehouse. Listen in to hear what Jim has to say about automation and the opportunities it presents for ergonomics in the workplace.

Listen to Episode 11 below:

  • Ergonomics and the way they affect businesses
  • Ways businesses can accommodate their employees
  • Recent trends in facility ergonomics
  • Ways e-commerce is changing ergonomics
  • Opportunities presented from automation

Jim Galante

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Episode 10: Rack Safety Design Considerations

This week I was joined by Arlin Keck, Corporate R&D Engineer of Steel King Industries. Arlin has been around the material handling industry for over 40 years, and with Steel King for 15. In this episode, he discusses safety factors that should be considered when designing a rack system. Arlin explains how frequently rack should be inspected and who should preform those inspections. We also discuss the common areas in a rack system that are considered high risk and what factors effect system capacity.

Listen to Episode 10 below:

  • Rack safety design considerations
  • Frequency of rack inspections
  • High risk areas and how to protect them
  • Pallet load stops and rack safety panels
  • Safely and securely storing products

Arlin Keck

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Episode 9: Mezzanine Safety Solutions

This week Aaron Conway, of Mezzanine Safeti-Gates, joined me to discuss solutions for keeping employees safe while working on elevated platforms. We discuss how mezzanine safety gates secure the ledges of elevated work platforms including pallet drop areas, rack picking systems, production platforms, loading docks and dock lifts in material handling, distribution centers and manufacturing facilities. Aaron explains the different OSHA and ANSI standards and how to remain in compliance. We also discuss how adding safety products doesn’t always impede productivity, but that it can help.

Listen to Episode 9 below:

  • Solutions for fall protection on elevated platforms
  • OSHA and ANSI regulations regarding fall protection
  • Different work platforms where safety gates are commonly utilized
  • Ways to keep employees safe at the loading dock
  • Maintaining productivity while adding safety products

AaronConway

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Episode 8: Photoluminescence Safety within the Warehouse

In this week’s episode, Zach Green, Founder and CEO of LumAware Inc., joined me to discuss safety solutions for warehouses utilizing photoluminescence technology. Zach begins by explaining his background as a volunteer firefighter and how LumAware came about. He describes how firefighters have benefited and continue to benefit from photoluminescence technology but goes even further to explain why warehouses need to consider it as well. LumAware’s EXIT signs and egress products are the perfect solutions for when warehouses experience power outages, and their backup systems fail. Listen to Episode 8 to learn how Zach recommends a business begin the process of switching over, and all the benefits involved in doing so.

Listen to Episode 8 below:

  • How to integrate Photoluminescence technology into your Egress System
  • Ways to save money and continue to meet NFPA and IBC codes
  • Identify the difference between traditional EXIT signs and LumAware’s EXIT signs
  • Removal of tritium signs and the process that needs followed
  • Ways that LumAware is helping businesses safely get employees back at work

Zach Green

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Episode 7: Safely Bringing Employees Back to Work

This week’s guest on the Safety Task Force podcast was Jeff Smagacz, Ergonomics Practice Leader from Marsh. Jeff joined me to talk about the shift in the workplace we’ve all experienced over the last few months. He explains what employers and employees should be concerned about many people are now working from home and how to adjust to the current situation we find ourselves in. He provides great tips to make it through the day and how to set ourselves up for success no matter where we’re working. We discuss how to stay aware, stay engaged, and stay in charge of our workspace. As a lot of business are beginning to bring employees back to the office, we discuss how communication is key. This is an episode you don’t want to miss!

Listen to Episode 7 below:

  • Shifting to work-from-home fulltime, and now back to the office
  • Setting ourselves up for success while working from home
  • Creating a Playbook for bringing your employees back to the office
  • Keeping all lines of communication open
  • Ways to stay aware, stay engaged and stay in charge of your workspace

Jeff Smagacz

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Episode 6: Ergonomic Flooring Solutions within the Warehouse

This week I had the pleasure of speaking with Greg Doppler, President of Cornerstone Specialty Wood Products, LLC, out of Cincinnati, Ohio. Greg joined me to discuss flooring solutions for mezzanine surfaces and offered his advice for things to consider when choosing a flooring surface for your next elevated platform. He shares the shocking differences between walking on concrete, bar grate, and their very own, ResinDek®. Tune in to Episode 6 to learn more about the ergonomic, economic, and environmental impact your flooring choice can have on your business.

Listen to Episode 6 below:

  • Comparisons of tibial shock when walking on different mezzanine surfaces
  • Choosing the best flooring for your application
  • Help in achieving LEED certification through flooring choice
  • Benefits of ResinDek® as the industry moves towards robotics
  • Innovations you can expect to see from Cornerstone Specialty Wood Products

Greg Doppler

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Episode 5: Safety Compliance from a Regulatory Standpoint

To kick off National Safety Month, I was joined by Health and Safety Consultant, Paul Serafini, of Sotera Consulting. Paul explains why safety compliance is so important and ways that we can stay up to date with regulations. We talk about the risks involved when businesses fail to comply and what you can do to ensure you are creating a culture where safety is looked at with positivity. To follow Paul’s safety blog, visit soteraconsulting.com and stay up to date with safety topics, OSHA regulations and more.

Listen to Episode 5 below:

  • The importance of safety compliance for businesses
  • Ways to stay up to date with safety regulations
  • Resources available to ensure you are meeting regulations
  • Providing a safe work environment without an internal team of safety professionals

Paul Serafini

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Episode 4: Elevated Platform Safety & Regulations

We’re back for another episode of Safety Task Force, and this week, I am joined by John Sloan, from Legacy Platform, LLC. John discusses different safety solutions and regulations for elevated platforms. We go over key factors to consider when adding a platform to your building, and ways to ensure your platform will meet the required codes and regulations. Learn things to consider when adding a platform to your facility and what questions to ask to make the right decisions.

Listen to Episode 4 below:

  • Elevated platforms and their common uses
  • Benefits and drawbacks of different gates and/or access points
  • Ensuring the platform meets required codes and regulations
  • Automation side of multi-floor systems

John Sloan

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Episode 3: Design Considerations for the Modern Cleanroom

Zac Adams, from Gateway Marketing Solutions, joins me to discuss Modern Cleanrooms and what needs to be considered when installing one for your business. We discuss the financial impact different options will have, and how to choose which style is best for your specific scenario. Learn how to maximize your space and invest in equipment that will be around to benefit your business far beyond next year’s budget.

Listen to Episode 3 below:

  • Differences between a “cleanroom” and a “controlled-environment”
  • Benefits to installing a modular cleanroom
  • Factors to consider when evaluating doors, windows, ceilings, etc.
  • Increasing your scope as a salesperson in this industry

Zac Adams

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Episode 2: Data Center Facility Trends & Solutions

On Episode 2 I am joined by Hauris Lewis, Vice President of Emerging Markets with SpaceGuard Products. Hauris explains what a Data Center is and the different types of Data Center facilities that are common. We discuss why Wire Mesh Partitions are the perfect solution and what goes into choosing the best options to suit your needs. As more companies move towards online sales, the demand for increased server space is on the rise.

Listen to Episode 2 below:

  • Types of Wire Mesh Partitions commonly used in Data Centers
  • Security considerations that are a must
  • How the current situation with COVID-19 is affecting the industry

Hauris Lewis

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Episode 1: Protective Guarding Safety & Standards

To kick off our podcast I am joined by Ray Niemeyer, Director of Business Development with SpaceGuard Products. Ray is also the Vice Chair of the Protective Guarding Manufacturers Association (ProGMA) and discusses the latest ANSI standard that was recently announced at MODEX 2020. We discuss the benefits of protective guarding in the material handling industry, and how that initial investment can help keep your employees and products safe and secure.

Listen to Episode 1 below:

  • Current trends in Protective Guarding
  • New ANSI Standard MH31.1 Steel Mesh Containment Panels used in Pallet Rack and Vertical Storage Systems Applications: Performance and Testing Requirements
  • Financial benefits to installing Protective Guarding in your facility

Ray Niemeyer, SpaceGuard Products

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Introducing: The Safety Task Force Podcast

We are excited to introduce our new podcast, Safety Task Force! Mark your calendars for Monday, May 4th!

At the BEAST Agency, we’re on a mission to secure, guard and protect our world. The Safety Task Force podcast, hosted by Emily Gibson of SpaceGuard Products, is arming you with the necessary tools to combat safety in our fast-paced, dynamic world. Our interviews bring you the latest and greatest safety solutions from industry experts. If you’re new to the industry or just looking for ways to expand your knowledge and stay up to date with global safety trends, this podcast is for you!

Have a topic you want to discuss? Reach out to us on Facebook or Instagram @BEASTAgentWM.

Listen to our Trailer here:

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Safety Task Force