Safety First – Ensuring Safe Operations with Vertical Lifts

In the intricate landscape of industrial operations, the significance of safety can never be overstated. With a legacy of over 75 years in custom lift equipment design, Autoquip is leading the way in integrating advanced safety features into Vertical Reciprocating Conveyors (VRCs). Because whether your VRC works independently or interfaces with other devices, the need to protect personnel, materials, and equipment is vital.

Our VRC safety options aren’t just about compliance; they enable industry best practices that enhance operational safety and efficiency across various sectors, including warehouses, manufacturers, distribution centers, and OEMs. Today, we’re taking a closer look at some of the available features and how they support safer, more efficient material handling workflows.

Advanced Safety Features

• Safety Interlocks: Industry best practices dictate machinery should operate only under safe conditions. Autoquip’s VRCs are equipped with safety interlocks that ensure the lift operates only when it’s safe to do so, such as when doors are properly closed and locked. This prevents accidental operation and is a critical safeguard against potential injuries.
• Over-Travel Sensors: Precision and control are paramount in material handling environments. Over-travel sensors suspend engine operation in the event the lift travels beyond the uppermost landing.
• Audible and Visual Alarms: Clear communication in industrial settings is crucial. VRCs configured with audible and visual alarms alert workers about the lift’s operation, promoting heightened situational awareness. This practice aligns with industry guidelines, creating workplaces where every team member is aware and informed, significantly reducing the risk of accidents.
•  Non-Skid Surfaces: Unfortunately, slips and falls are common hazards in industrial settings. To combat this, your VRC can be customized with a non-skid surface, providing added traction and stability for employees and cargo during lift operations, creating a work environment that aligns with safety standards.
• Gates and Enclosure Panels: Our specialized gates and enclosure panels provide essential safeguards in, around, and under the lift area for VRC setups. These safety measures prevent accidental contact with the lift mechanism and effectively contain any debris or spillage during lift operation. While VRCs must have these safeguards in place, customers have the flexibility to choose whether we supply them or they do. Our gates and enclosure panels can be customized to meet specific application needs, creating secure operational zones that minimize potential hazards
  
• Intuitive Control Systems: The safety and efficiency of a VRC are significantly determined by its control system. By leveraging cloud technology, our proprietary control and monitoring solution, AQ Connect, uses intuitive interfaces to deliver the information you need when you need it. From real-time performance monitoring and self-diagnostics to VRC lift maintenance alerts and built-in system communications, we ensure that your team can make timely and informed decisions that promote safety and productivity.

Our Commitment: Safety as a Standard

In the fast-paced industrial world, appropriate safety measures are crucial for seamless operations and protecting your people, products, and equipment. Throughout our history, we’ve focused on safety, innovation, and customization to ensure that each Autoquip lift aligns with industry guidelines, improves working conditions, and exceeds customer expectations,

Our VRCs reflect this unwavering commitment with their state-of-the-art customizable safety options. As industries evolve and the demand for safe, efficient, and reliable lifting solutions increases, we’ll remain at the forefront, ready to meet these challenges.

Creating a Safer Future

Autoquip’s expertise extends beyond engineering; it’s about understanding unique pain points and safety requirements and transforming them into prescriptive lift solutions for different industries. Our VRCs aren’t just about meeting immediate needs; they’re designed to provide durable, dependable service that positions your business for the future. Whether we’re optimizing storage space for a sporting goods retailer or streamlining workflows for a food and beverage supplier, our VRC solutions can be tailored to meet the specific needs of every customer. 

Are You Ready To Learn More?

The new year is an ideal time to reassess your current equipment configuration and safety protocols. Our team of experts is ready to hear about your concerns and ideas. You can start the conversation by contacting us for a free quote today. We’re ready to help you solve your most complex material handling challenges!