The Australian Meat Processor Corporation’s (AMPC) strategy on people and culture prioritises the safety and wellbeing of employees and work practices to reduce hands-on processing. Two new research projects are starting soon that are investigating the adoption of exoskeletal devices in Australian red meat processing plants.
Following on from AMPC’s previous research into exoskeletons, AMPC is starting new research on them, with the aim of helping processors adopt exoskeleton technology which improves safety of employees and production outcomes.
AMPC is calling for expressions of interest for processors to participate in one of the projects which involves having an expert on-site who will assess tasks and where to best use an exoskeletal device in those tasks. The expert will also determine what devices are best for what application. The project will occur over a period of 12 months with the expert monitoring usage of the devices in that time period to assist with adoption.
Program Manager Amanda Carter said, “We want to get 10 processors from across Australia involved in the project. The aim is to help processors better understand the technology and how it can improve their business productivity and safety of employees. With an ultimate end goal of processors adopting exoskeletons.”
The second project focusses on the iron hand exoskeletal device and understanding the applications and uses for it within a processing plant.
Amanda said, “This second project is about better understanding of how the iron hand works. Our previous research identified that the iron hand was the best exoskeletal device for processors to adopt and now we want to assess the barriers and opportunities for the device to be used in processing.
We want processor involvement so that we can test and trial the iron hand, where to use it, and for what applications it can be used for such as to reduce injuries or as a rehabilitation device for an employee coming back from injury.”
The projects will occur over the next 12 months.
Processors who want to participate can contact Amanda Carter at a.carter@ampc.com.au