Grant: Applied Research and Development Grants - Level 1

Workers know when there are safety issues at work; no one knows a workplace better than the individuals working there. Alberta Distilleries Ltd. employs workers must stack heavy barrels often full of spirits. The head of Health, Safety and Environment for Alberta Distilleries (ADL) and the workers agree the current process to stack barrels is 'adequate' but ADL wants a safer work space for their employees. There are ergonomic issues with the current process and potential for injury. It is the employers' responsibilities to prevent workplace accidents and injuries and promote safe and healthy work places. Alberta Distilleries is working to establish a novel device to reduce worker risk. The Barrel Turntable is a device that does the job, without consideration of the worker's body. Alberta Distilleries has envisioned a solution and is seeking to have this idea designed and fabricated. The new device will increase the safety in the warehouse by reducing worker exposure to work that is not ergonomic. SAIT Design Fabrication Technology is the team to bring this idea to a concrete solution that can quickly be implemented into the warehouse here in Calgary. A good tool will quickly be disseminated to the variety of industries that use and stack barrels: storage for water and oil, fermenting wine or sake and maturing beverages such as cognac, beer, sherry and port.