Bindery Safety/Ergonomics — Finishing Without Incident

Entry-level employees find themselves tending to chores such as supplying the pocket feeders and removing product from the feeders. In doing the most physical work in the bindery, and arguably the plant, these employees expose themselves to the greatest health and safety risks.

"Our pocket feeders and final inspectors are the ones who do the material handling, and that's pretty much what they do all day long," notes Lori Welch, safety director for Ripon Community Printers (RCP), based in Ripon, WI. "The task or their job assignments may vary slightly, but the bottom line is that it's all material handling."