Your crew is getting older and, despite offering competitive pay, you\u2019re having trouble hiring younger workers to fill the gaps. The difficulty is that these new workers avoid manual labor, which is a large part of working in process and refractory jobs. On top of that, you\u2019re probably seeing your insurance premiums go up. Sound familiar?<\/p>\n
Well, more challenges lie ahead. Nearly half of all workers in the U.S. are 55 or older, and it\u2019s projected that the number of people 65 or older will grow by 236 million throughout the world between 2015 and 2025.<\/p>\n
To stay ahead, you\u2019ll need to find a way to retain your older workers \u2014 and keep them injury-free \u2014 longer, as well as attract young, tech-savvy crew members. Add in the increasing burden of workers\u2019 compensation claims due to workplace injuries, and employers are fighting to find a solution. Not surprisingly, technology may offer relief to these problems \u2014 starting with improved safety.<\/p>\n
More and more steel mills, foundries and refractory contractors are choosing Brokk remote-controlled demolition machines that allow workers to operate them from a safe distance. One of those many companies is Southern Refractories Inc., a refractory contractor and distributor, who bought their first Brokk machine more than 20 years ago. The results?<\/p>\n
\u2022 Pneumatic tool use dropped by about 95 percent
\n\u2022 Compensation claims declined, saving tens of thousands of dollars
\n\u2022 Falling debris injuries virtually eliminated
\n\u2022 Experience modification rate, or EMR, reduced, lowering insurance premiums
\n\u2022 Productivity rose 50 percent
\n\u2022 Jobs that took as many as 12 people now require only two or three<\/p>\n
In addition to improved safety, this new technology is a valuable tool to entice a younger workforce. Jack Kennedy, vice president at Southern Refractories, says the Brokk machines help draw in new employees and that they are naturals at using them.<\/p>\n
Beyond appealing to younger workers, some companies are finding that remote-controlled machines can help extend older workers\u2019 careers because they can limit the more physically demanding aspects of the work.<\/p>\n
By choosing Brokk machines, contractors, steel mills and foundries are enticing younger workers and improving productivity while reducing injuries and claims. The resulting savings makes it easy to pay off the new equipment as well as look at additional high-tech tools.<\/p>\n
Contact us to discuss what a machine might do for your ROI.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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