Principle of concentration of operation.

TM 38-400/NAVSUP PUB 572/AFMAN 23-210 MCO 4450.14/DLAM 4145.12

area, perform the job with the least amount of handling

PACKING

of the containers.

LOOSE ISSUE ROOMS

INSPECTIONS

(3) In connection with this principle, we must

ASSEMBLING

take care not to over-man an operation to the extent that

SIZE CHECKING

workers are getting in each other's way.

Many times an operation is CONGESTED

DISCUSS setup of these operations. Have the group

merely because there are too many people involved.

apply the principle to determine whether it is applied

We must determine by careful study how many people

efficiently in the depot.

can efficiently perform a certain operation at one time in

ASK the following questions to stress application of

one location. For example, it would be very inefficient

principle in terms of manpower. Have members give

to permit three or four persons to strap an average-sized

reasons for their answers.

container; at most, two persons can do the job efficiently

-"How many people can be used efficiently in strapping

and then only if one doesn't have to wait on the other.

a carton?"

Generally, it is inefficient for four or five persons to

-"How many people can be used efficiently in 'breaking'

"break" a freight car. Usually, two persons can do the

a freight car door and getting working space inside the

job faster and easier. Once inside the car, two persons

car?"

can work more efficiently unloading one end of a car;

-"How many people can be used efficiently to load or

three or four persons get in each other's way.

unload INSIDE the freight car?"

When you see three or four persons trying

-"How many people can be used efficiently in loading a

to load a standard sized pallet with average sized

pallet?"

containers, it is probable that there is "congestion." The

(1) In movement and handling of materials

work area is too small for an efficient operation by more

the operation should be limited in distance and area

than two people, unless the operation is so planned and

covered. This principle stresses the idea that operations

balanced that two "crews" can work in opposite ends of

spread over too much area cause problems in handling

the car.

and supervision which do not occur in more compact

(4) Studying

the

various

operations,

operations. It is unwise, however, to limit a production

considering the amount of space used, and the number

line or area to a point of congestion. We can see clearly

of people working in the area will pay dividends. BE

the importance of applying this principle in operations

SURE THAT THERE IS CONCENTRATION OF

such as packing, inspection, assembly, and certain

OPERATION, BUT NOT CONGESTION.

checking operations. In setting up such operations, it is

e. Principle of efficient handling.

necessary first to study just what and how much work

-"The FOURTH PRINCIPLE-the PRINCIPLE OF

must be done; then apply the first two principles,

EFFICIENT HANDLING is one which too often is

straightline and continuous flow, which should eliminate

overlooked."

much of the confusion that can occur; then limit the

-"It is perhaps the MOST IMPORTANT."

operation to an area in which people can work without

-"It means simply that-In the MOVEMENT

interference, and without taking unnecessary steps, or

MATERIALS, THERE SHOULD BE THE LEAST

making unnecessary motions in doing their part of the

POSSIBLE HANDLING."

job.

-"It should be applied to both MANUAL and

(2) Often by combining different operations

MECHANICAL OPERATIONS."

into one, we can save not only in working space

-"Despite the use of mechanical equipment, the

required, but also in number of laborers required and

MAJORITY of our MATERIALS HANDLING is still done

amount of supervision needed.

For example, in

by HAND."

preparing shipments, we are faced with many different

This principle means that in the movement of materials,

operations:

removing from the stack, strapping,

there should be as little handling as possible. Constant

"blotting out" old markings, stenciling new markings,

picking up and putting down is wasteful of time and

weighing, checking, transportation to car, and loading

energy, ties up the use of equipment, and causes

car. Instead of moving each container to five or six

damage. The principle of efficient handling should be

different locations in the warehouse to get the whole job

applied to both manual and mechanical operations.

done, it is certainly more economical to move the

operations to one spot and, in the smallest workable

7-35