Maximizing productivity through improved comfort

When we think about what makes for a comfortable environment, there’s a number of variables that spring to mind, including temperature, noise and light to name just a few. But while we usually associate comfort with relaxation, there’s a great deal of evidence to suggest that the more comfortable a working environment is, the more productive workers become.

Think about it in practice. Off-highway operators sit in their cab for the duration of their working day, feeling the effects of vibration, noise, temperature and light. Sooner or later – depending on the degree to which they’re experiencing the effects of these factors – they’ll begin to feel fatigued, potentially impacting their health in the long term, but also their immediate levels of focus and productivity.

There’s our challenge – and our opportunity to make a difference. By effectively managing the conditions within a cabin, our solutions can help workers to feel happier, healthier and more productive at work.

The challenge

While legislation differs between countries on how regularly operators must take breaks, and how long they can be in charge of a vehicle during a typical shift, most off-highways operators will spend several hours in their cab at a time. For that duration, they’ll be exposed to at least one – if not all – of those variables which directly affect their levels of comfort and, in turn, productivity.

Let’s take a look at one in particular – vibration. An inherent characteristic of off-highway vehicles as a result of factors such as uneven terrain and engine operation, vibration is all around us. In fact, its environmental characteristics such as terrain can lead directly to reduced operator comfort. With the need to perform safely and effectively on off-highway surfaces as well as on the road, stiffer suspension units are commonly specified for these vehicles – a necessary requirement that often comes at the cost of operator comfort.

So how can we work with these requirements to overcome the impacts of vibration?

Overcoming the effects of vibration

When it comes to managing vibration, it’s important to keep in mind that vibration is necessary, particularly in industrial settings. The vibration of engines, for instance, is needed for their effective operation and limiting their movement and vibration could create potential performance issues. When managing vibration, anti-vibration components shouldn’t prevent movement, but rather allow machines to move while protecting surrounding assets – and people – from the results of vibration.

The introduction of anti-vibration mounts, such as Trelleborg’s axle suspension tower spring, fluid mount and those in the Cushyfloat range, can all help to manage the effects of vibration from various origins within a vehicle to create more comfortable environments for workers.

So, as manufacturers strive to meet the demands of differing global legislation surrounding factors such as cab noise reduction, vibration and levels of harshness, anti-vibration components can make all the difference. Particularly when built into the early stages of a vehicle and machine design, anti-vibration solutions can facilitate safer, more comfortable and more productive working environments for operators. But the benefits don’t stop there: with vibration effectively managed, the service life of critical equipment can be prolonged, performance-optimized and downtime reduced.

To find out more, visit: Off-Highway Anti-vibration Solutions