Manual assist devices

Manual Assist Devices are semi-automated devices that are designed to interact very closely with human operators, as opposed to the classical type of industrial robot that does things automatically, with little human intervention.

When manual assist devices are used, meat processing workers should be able to work more efficiently, so the process can progress faster and the worker should be able to carry out precision tasks more effectively.

During 2005/06 MLA, along with the industry, began a concerted effort to develop manual assist devices with the ultimate focus of ‘extending boners working lives past the age of 40.'

These devices are now installed in several Australian plants, with in plant cost benefit studies having identified large yield benefits from using these manual assist devices.  This, when combined with their OH&S benefits, has provided a large financial payback to processors for investing in this technology.