Correct handling of loads relieves the company budget
Physical overload when lifting, carrying, pulling or pushing loads can lead to musculoskeletal complaints. Apart from physical suffering, this leads to days of absence from work and thus to high costs.
Anyone who transports heavy loads incorrectly and without aids is harming their body. "Physical overloads can lead to tendonitis, signs of wear and tear such as osteoarthritis or back problems. In extreme cases, these back complaints manifest themselves in the form of a slipped disc," explains Christian Müller, ergonomics expert at Suva.
Days lost cost a fortune
Apart from physical suffering, high costs are incurred because injured workers are absent from work. Statistics show that 670,000 employees suffer from work-related musculoskeletal complaints and are absent from work for an average of three working days per year as a result. Suva calculates that each day of absence costs around CHF 1,000, bringing the total cost to over CHF 2 billion, which is a burden on the healthcare system, companies and the entire Swiss workplace.
Save time with tools
The use of aids enables the sustainable reduction of accidents, overloads and ultimately physical complaints. The benefits go beyond this, however, because assistive devices can also save time. "A parcel delivery person who uses suitable aids at work protects his musculoskeletal system and saves a lot of energy. This allows him to maintain his work pace until the end of a long working day," says Müller.
The aids are numerous and their use differs depending on the object to be transported and the place of use. When transferring parcels, there are various tools that can make the workday easier. If the parcels are stacked on pallets when the deliveries are prepared, the use of a scissor lift makes it possible to lift the parcels to waist height, which massively relieves the back. For particularly heavy parcels, lifting aids such as vacuum lifters can be used. If delivery to the customer is possible via flat access points, trolleys or sack trucks can be used. Stair climbers are a remedy for stairs. In addition, a carrying strap can be useful for smaller parcels.
In addition to the use of aids, it is important to design route planning and vehicle loading in such a way that each parcel is moved only minimally and optimally only during delivery itself. Here, too, time and energy can be saved.
Image gain thanks to professionalism
Last but not least, professional handling of loads also pays off for the company's image. After all, what customer is happy when he has to open the door to a sweaty and stressed parcel delivery person? A company that equips its employees professionally also exudes confidence in the customer that the ordered goods will arrive at the customer's premises without incident or transport damage.
Further information:
- Clever handling of loads: Use aids - it's worth it!
- Ergonomics and physical stress
- Swiss Conference for Occupational Safety (STAS) of 30 September 2021
Source: Suva
Other topics: Many directives - one goal: fewer accidents
