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Aluminum Framing

OSHA Penalties are Rising 80%: Is Your Machine Guarding Compliant?

A shop worker reviewing machine guarding for OSHA compliance.

The last time the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) set the maximum civil penalties for violation of its workplace safety guidelines was way back in 1990 – but not for very long. Thanks to legislation enacted by Congress in November 2015, which required federal agencies to adjust their fines for inflation, August 1, 2016 will see an almost 80% increase in OSHA’s maximum penalties. In addition, penalties moving forward will be adjusted for inflation every year from 2016 on.  

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Custom Conveyor Systems from mk North America

Conveyor with guard

When it comes to conveyor system manufacturers, mk North America offers the broadest range of systems in the industry. But they also know that one size does not fit all. That’s why they offer the ability to customize your conveyor before it ships. mk’s custom options go beyond the typical ability to choose length and width, and mean you can create a complete custom solution without having to go to multiple suppliers.

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Ergonomic Industrial Workstations from mk North America

 An ergonomic industrial workstation made using mk North America t-slot extrusions.

With the design of any industrial equipment, there are numerous considerations that need to be taken into account. Usually chief among these are material cost, equipment performance, and durability. However with such a narrow focus on the physical features of the equipment itself, human factors such as ease of use and ergonomics can be too often overlooked.

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Custom Kanban Racks & Carts for Lean Manufacturing

Kanban racks holding stock in a lean manufacturing facility, created with mk aluminum extrusions.

Lean Manufacturing & Kanban

Lean philosophy in manufacturing and production originated with the Toyota Production System in Japan, and emphasizes the elimination of waste and the maximization of efficiency, effort, and value. Specifics vary from industry to industry and company to company, but broadly speaking extraneous activities and materials are eliminated, while those left behind are streamlined as much as possible.

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