3 Ways to Increase Safety in the Workplace

Safety should be at the forefront of every workplace, and strict safety standards and measures should be followed. Taking steps to ensure that safety protocols are in place, OSHA guidelines are being followed, and employees are properly trained, are all key to curating a safety-first work environment.  

Read more to learn about three ways to increase workplace safety.  

ENSURE A SAFE WORK AREA & PROVIDE PROPER GEAR 

Making sure workers are able to perform their job in a safe environment should be an everyday consideration in an industrial workplace. According to OSHA, 14 people die from work-related accidents every day, and this can be prevented with simple steps towards overall safety.   

Ensure not only that there are perimeters around manufacturing equipment, but clear and readable signs work to enforce safety. Proper signage communicates risks and dangers, as well as instructions, and perimeters keep employees and visitors in proper and safe locations.  

Along with clear signage and proper perimeters, it’s important to also keep workspaces clear of extra clutter and the floor clear of debris. With over 700 injuries a year attributed to slips and falls, something that may seem insignificant can add up.  

Each job requires its own sets of skills and tools, and with that can come gear, or personal protective equipment (PPE). PPE is a common term for protective equipment and gear designed to minimize injury or harm should an accident occur.  

PPE can vary, from hard hats to gloves, to proper footwear and clothing. It should be regularly maintained, fit properly, and be inspected regularly as part of reoccurring maintenance.  

When looking to outfit your employees with proper PPE, ask the following questions: 

• When will the employees need protection? 

• What kind of PPE will be required to protect workers from accidents? 

• Are the employees trained to properly wear, remove, and adjust their PPE? 

• Are there any restrictions and if so, how might they affect the worker or job? 

• Is the equipment being properly cared for and stored? 

HAVE HEAT-RELATED SAFETY MEASURES 

Although industrial manufacturing workers are not often subjected to direct sunlight, heat and heat-based illnesses can still be a safety issue during warmer months. There are steps you can take to ensure that your workers are protected, whether inside or out.  

• Make sure the facility your workers are in has proper ventilation and cooling systems. Additionally, insulating hot pipes can keep temperatures low. 

• Monitor the heat index each day, especially in facilities that might have less insulation than an office space. OSHA recommends using the heat index as a screening tool to know when to put extra cooling measures in place.  

• Train and communicate with your team to identify the signs of overheating or heat-based illnesses. Knowing the signs for themselves and others will ensure a safer overall team environment when dealing with heat.  

• Ensure all workers have easy access to locations to cool off, as well as hydration areas. Giving overheating bodies a break keeps overall safety and productivity up.  

LISTEN TO FEEDBACK AND TRAIN ACCORDINGLY  

Overall, the most important thing that can help increase safety in the workplace is proper employee training and listening to feedback.  

A proactive approach to training is key. Along with the heat based training mentioned above, investing in hazard awareness and potential accident training can work to prevent not only accidents from themselves, but from the team as a whole. OSHA has several recommended practices for safety and health programs on their website that should be utilized.  

Additionally, ensuring a healthy two-way communication between employee and employer encourages direct correspondence about safety issues and concerns either party might have. Making sure that employers are engaging with employees about safety measures, precautions, and updates guarantees a safer workplace.  

A new factor coming into play in workplace safety and training is the proactive implementation of artificial intelligence. Using AI when monitoring a workspace can ensure employees haven’t lapsed in safety practices. Investing in AI that can analyze footage allows businesses to alert workers to safety hazards they might have encountered when looking back on the footage.  

Surveillance footage can also enforce safety procedures such as proper use of PPE, ensuring vehicle and large machinery safety, and proper fall protection protocol. 

NRTC Automation and Safety  

NRTC Automation offers a variety of engineering contract services and training for manufacturers. Contact us today to learn more about our automation and manufacturing services that are aimed at minimizing disruption and downtime in the work area, with an emphasis on safety, speed, and efficiency.   

Contact NRTC today for more information on how our engineering contract services and training can help your business.

Three Green Trends in Industrial Manufacturing

Green manufacturing is an important topic at the forefront of industrial manufacturing. Companies are constantly looking for ways to reduce waste and positively impact both the environment and their businesses.  

As companies look toward greening their manufacturing processes, here are three trends you can look for in the industry.  

Using Renewable Energy  

The idea of renewable energy isn’t a new one. Solar, wind, and water-powered energy exists, but how are companies harnessing them?  

In Europe, companies can purchase renewable energy certificates to offset their emissions. These certificates or credits are known as RECs equate to an amount of power generated from a green, renewable source. Purchased in megawatt hours, companies can strategize using wind, hydro, or solar to help move their company towards carbon neutrality.  

Improving Emissions through Automation  

Another way companies can reduce their carbon footprint is to look at their own emissions, and see what steps can be taken in order to reduce them. Automating production can be a tool in not only reducing your emissions, but monitoring them more closely.  

When industrial production is automated, businesses are able to automatically collect data and run reports on energy, emissions, and costs. A smooth production line overall creates less downtime, and that can equate to fewer losses of resources.  

Additionally, adding electric control modules, or ECMs, to your tool kit can help to manage and monitor the energy used from machines, lights, and more. You’ll be able to tell how much electricity a machine is using, and from there make decisions about upgrading or retiring machinery or lighting.  

Reducing energy consumption can not only save you money but directly affect the environment in a positive way, reducing the use of additional resources.  

Producing Energy In-House 

Producing energy in-house, specifically solar, is another route many companies are taking in the process of greening their industrial manufacturing. The German manufacturer ABB opened a facility in 2019 that can power itself on sunny days.  

The facility built in Luedenscheid, Germany can produce 1100 MW hours of power each year. That’s enough to power 340 homes for a year! We can expect to see more industrial manufacturing moving towards creating their own solar power in the upcoming years, in an effort to not only continue to green their processes but continue to save money.  

Smaller Steps  

While we highlighted these three trends, there are many steps companies around the world are taking in order to green their manufacturing. Keeping machines conditioned and running smoothly cuts down on energy waste, and ensures smooth production.  

When it’s time to replace existing robots, consider selling to a business like our sister company HGR, which buys and sells industrial surplus, keeping it out of landfills. And purchasing a refurbished robot keeps the lifecycle of machinery extended and away from the dump.  

Streamline and Refurbish with NRTC Automation  

We also refurbish industrial robots here at NRTC, extending the life of your machine, and aiding you in reducing waste and saving money. NRTC also designs and produces turnkey weld cells, created with refurbished industrial robots. We have a focus on efficiency, maximum throughput, and minimal waste.  

To learn more about our green automation solutions and refurbishment options, contact us today.  

3 Misconceptions about the Decommissioning and Tear Out Processes

Decommissioning and tear out can be a daunting task for a business. If it’s something that hasn’t happened before for a company, it can be overwhelming and mysterious. Businesses can find themselves asking a lot of questions. How does decommissioning happen? Does it have to be done internally? Is it even necessary? 

NRTC Automation can provide clarity on the decommissioning and tear out process, and share solutions to common misconceptions that people often have about the process.  

Read on to learn more.

Companies have to do it themselves

When it’s time to decommission, companies might think that they are in it alone. It can be difficult to know where you start when it’s time to tear out a facility. Do you need to rent a team or any equipment? What about on a smaller scale?  

Fortunately, there are companies to help with decommissioning, like NRTC Automation. NRTC is at the forefront of decommissioning services, and we support customers through the process every step of the way.  

We put an emphasis on safety and deliver a broom-ready facility at the end of the process. NRTC also offers a personalized experience and can work with decommissioning just one robot, or a large-scale factory or facility. We understand that every company and project presents its own unique set of challenges, and we meet each one head-on, making sure to inform customers of the ongoing progress and project timeline.  

Making sure we meet time-sensitive requirements, we keep our clients informed of key milestones and a dedicated project manager will ensure communication is ongoing throughout the decommissioning.  

It’s a long, drawn-out process  

Looking around an industrial manufacturing space that needs to be torn out, the task can feel not only overwhelming, but time consuming. The same can be said for large robots taking up space in a facility. Decommissioning doesn’t have to be a long, drawn-out process at all.  

NRTC Automation focuses on speed and efficiency, along with safety, when starting a decommissioning process. The NRTC team will look at the timeline, and develop a schedule based on time restrictions such as moving dates and target goals.  

Projects can often be sped along by doing prep work ahead of a decommission, like obtaining approvals from the board or leadership, making sure an end purpose of the space is set, as well as moving assets that a facility might be keeping and transferring to another space. Additional resources that are to be sold can be left in place, and NRTC will process those during the decommissioning.  

Repairs are cheaper than decommissioning  

It can be difficult to know that it is time to decommission, and it’s easy to think that repairs would be simpler than a total decommission. However, that isn’t always the case and there are a few tell-tell signs to know when it’s time to shift from repairs to decommissioning.  

The cost of spare parts can add up, and looking at that cost annually, versus selling and purchasing a newer replacement, can be a clear indicator of what to do. There are options for refurbished used machines to help keep costs down, so if your industrial robot or machine has become a money pit, it might be time to explore the option of decommissioning and replacing.  

Additionally, time is valuable, and if more time is being spent on repairs of a machine versus its time in-use, it might be time to look at decommissioning. The more outdated a machine or robot becomes, the harder it is to fix, and less and less people will have the skillset to handle repairs.  

Ultimately, it is up to the end user, but decommissioning and selling parts and machines can bring in additional funds to put towards a new item, facility space, or robot, and should be considered if repairs and maintenance are becoming a burden.  

NRTC Automation can help  

Decommissioning doesn’t have to be a mystery. NRTC will help every step of the way, ensuring that the proper steps are taken, swiftly and efficiently, keeping everyone in the loop and taking the mystery out of the equation. We have a customizable yet structured industrial tear out service, and work with companies to meet deadlines, develop a plan, and make sure a broom-ready facility is complete at the end of the process.   

Contact NRTC today to learn more about our quick and painless decommissioning services, and how we can help you.   

What is the Future of U.S. Manufacturing?

After several years of Coronavirus lockdowns and supply chain issues, it appears that industries are starting to become more stable, and production is ramping up to at least where it was in late 2019. Despite this resurgence, industrial manufacturing and related industries are seeing many changes as a direct effect of the pandemic, and the future of U.S. manufacturing has undoubtedly changed in the past few years.

The next decade holds much potential for the industry, with innovation, automation, and a focus on increasing productivity leading the way.

Read on to learn more about how the industry could change in the future 

STRONGER EMPHASIS ON R&D AND TECHNOLOGY  

In the first months of his presidency, Joe Biden announced the “Made in America” executive order, aimed at strengthening the U.S. economy through nearly $300 billion in investments towards advanced technology and R&D. This was paired with an initiative to create over 5 million jobs in manufacturing.  

Though these two things can seem at odds with one another, it has been found that automation in manufacturing feeds economic growth in the US, and creates more jobs through the development of new roles, something predicated by the Word Economic Forum a few years ago.  

CUTTING COSTS WITH AUTOMATION  

The advances in technology and machinery also allow for businesses to upgrade more economically and quicker than in previous years. Machines are cheaper, faster, and easier to install, which decreases downtime and increases productivity. Allowing more businesses access to streamlining their production through automation clears the way for new products and solutions to enter the market, another important part of economic growth.  

Additionally, turning to automation and industrial robots instead of cheaper overseas labor allows more companies to be competitive without having to outsource. This in itself could lead to higher robotic automation over the next decade and could pave the way for a U.S. manufacturing resurgence.  

INCREASED PRODUCTIVITY THROUGH AUTOMATION  

One obvious byproduct of automation is increased productivity. A McKinsey study predicts an increase in productivity and growth through automation, worldwide, from 0.8 to 1.4 % annually. This production growth positively impacts multiple aspects, from higher outputs, yielding higher margins, to higher wages for employees, and lower costs for customers. This combined outcome only positively affects the economy and workforce.  

As this barrier of cost for automation drops, and it becomes more accessible, the market should see more businesses turning to industrial automation on various scales. When this happens, the market will be able to see not only more innovative products produced on a larger and quicker scale, but the quality increasing with production speed.  

MORE MANUFACTURING JOBS  

Manufacturing, although not as much of a job supplier as it used to be, is still one of the leaders in employing workers, especially in middle-America. And experts expect this to continue, and even increase, as the industry bounces back from the pandemic.  

Manufacturing makes up the largest employer group in the U.S., and is one of the highest employers of adults with GEDs or high school degrees, that may not have a bachelor’s degree, which is currently half of the country. It’s important to not only provide jobs for those that may not have a college education, but encourage those that may not into productive and thriving positions, in such fields as manufacturing.  

AUTOMATION SOLUTIONS  

NRTC can help with automating and streamlining your business. We offer turkey solutions for manufacturing businesses, and provide production support ranging from basic to advanced. We can help design, build, engineer, and install a customized industrial work cell for your business, as well as help you troubleshoot any issues you might be having with your current line up, and find a solution that can work for you. We’re ready to help you improve your efficiency and productivity, and move you into the next decade up to par with the quick evolution of the industrial manufacturing industry. For more information, contact our team or learn more here.  

Decommissioning – How Does it Work?

Decommissioning can be a mystery process. Seemingly overnight, a facility or space containing industrial machinery can be emptied, cleaned, and ready to be repurposed. But what is the process behind it? 

NRTC Automation is at the forefront of decommissioning services, and we support and walk customers through the process every step of the way. Read on to learn more about how our decommissioning process works.  

How does decommissioning work? 

FIRST, DETERMINE IF IT’S TIME TO DECOMMISSION

The first step in the decommissioning process is to determine that the industrial machine or space is ready to be decommissioned.  

For an industrial machine or robot, are you replacing parts often, or are spare parts becoming a challenge to find? How much money do you have to invest in repairs and maintenance? Answering these questions can help you determine if it is time for decommission or replacement.  

Perhaps a company has outgrown its warehouse and needs to move to a larger space, or adversely has decided to close its doors. These instances would require decommissioning on a bigger scale.  

NRTC can decommission anything from individual robots to facilities larger than 750,000 square feet.  

PREPARATION NEEDS TO BE COMPLETED 

Once you have decided to decommission, it’s time to make sure all the prep steps are completed. Obtaining approvals from the board and management are important, as well as figuring out if the space or facility will be reused or demolished.  

It’s also important to set and define time restrictions the project might have, such as moving dates or target goals for the repurposing of the facility.  

If there are any assets that are going to be moved to another facility, such as an industrial robot or machine, it’s important to transfer those ahead of time. All other assets marked for decommissioning will be taken care of during the process.  

Once the prep work is complete, it’s time for NRTC Automation to take over.  

LET THE DECOMMISSIONING BEGIN 

NRTC starts the decommission process with a 3D facility scan, which includes photos of all industrial equipment and a layout of the facility. Then, a project manager oversees the tear out, from start to finish.  

As part of the process, we identify the equipment of value versus those machines that will need to be scraped, and remove one section at a time, making sure we consult on the method of removal that fits best for a business.  

As NRTC moves through the process, the project manager will provide updates of the project through key milestones and the timeline developed, and communicate a schedule of all the steps. Transparency throughout allows for constant updates, and keeps the project on track.  

Safety is our priority, so expect safety signage and other measures in zones that could be potentially hazardous or dangerous. The NRTC team will wear branded safety gear for visibility and we take all precautions listed by OSHA.  

TIE UP LOOSE ENDS  

Once NRTC Automation has completed the tear out, we complete the broom-ready space by cleaning up any loose ends. This includes making sure the floor is smooth and removing any wires, hooks, or bolts that may keep the floor from being flush.  

Once finished, you have a space that is ready to be swept and repurposed, and the project manager will do one last walkthrough to ensure all steps are completed.  

DECOMMISSIONING WITH NRTC 

Decommissioning doesn’t have to be a mystery, or a long, -drawn-out process. NRTC Automation’s comprehensive decommissioning services place an emphasis on safety, speed, and efficiency. We have a customizable yet structured industrial tear-out service, and work with companies to meet deadlines, develop a plan, and make sure a broom-ready facility is complete at the end of the process.  

Contact NRTC today to learn more about our quick and painless decommissioning services, and how we can help you.  

NRTC: How Do You Know When It's Time to Decommission?

Not everyone finds it easy to decommission old equipment, mainly due to a lack of proper guidance on letting go of industrial machinery. 

It can be difficult to determine when you should decommission your equipment. You may not be sure of what signs to look for, or if the money you are putting into it outweighs the investment. 

Eventually, your machine is going to wear out, and when it does, you have a choice to make. Deciding it is time to say goodbye, and decommission it, or invest more money in repair costs.  

Signs that confirm you should decommission  

#1: ABNORMALLY HIGH REPAIR COSTS  

Even a machine that gets regular maintenance will one day encounter a large repair issue, and with that, a high cost. Knowing when that cost, paired with the regular maintenance, is becoming too much is key to knowing when to decommission.  

Mechanics and machinery do wear over time, and replacing parts is required over the years. When this starts to happen with more frequency, take time to examine the cost you are putting in for upkeep versus the cost for a replacement.  

Purchasing a used machine can keep costs low and solve ongoing repair issues. Our partner, HGR, carries a wide selection of industrial surplus including used machines and robots, and they are a great resource when looking to replace your decommissioned machine.  

#2: THE MACHINE BECOMES A SAFETY CONCERN  

The safety of employees and staff should always be the number one priority of a workplace. If a machine becomes a health or safety hazard, decommissioning should be done immediately.  

Safety hazards may not be as visible as a worn belt or sparks. If a machine doesn’t start up the way it should, the cause should be investigated promptly, as it could be an indication of something potentially hazardous. Make sure your staff is communicating any issues with machinery that could lead to a safety hazard, and ultimately, decommission.   

#3: EQUIPMENT DEPRECIATION  

Equipment depreciation happens naturally over time, even with regular maintenance and care. Unless the machine sits idle at an industrial warehouse, each time it runs it will reduce its value. 

As depreciation happens, make sure you do some quick financial calculations. Choices can be made to run the machine until it surpasses its usefulness, or sell it prior to the end of its lifetime, and make a return on your investment. A clear financial picture can help you to make an objective decision regarding decommissioning.  

#4: COST OF MACHINERY INSURANCE INCREASES 

Insurance is a necessary part of machine ownership, but can also be a great indicator of when it may be time to decommission. When your premiums start to increase, it means the insurance company has evaluated the risk of that machine as increasing due to age.  

Insurance companies will also lower premiums based on new safety measures. If you do have to decommission, look for a newer used machine or robot that may save you on insurance as well.  

NRTC IS YOUR GO-TO PARTNER FOR ALL DECOMMISSIONING NEEDS 

It is time to say goodbye to your equipment when it no longer functions as it should despite all the many repairs and maintenance. At NRTC, we are the experts in decommissioning machinery We have transparent processes that give you visibility from start to finish.