Making Safety Part and Parcel of the Job

To protect employees without losing productivity or slowing down operations, TNT began the search for a lifting system which could handle at least 75% of its packages. And to complicate the matter, they wanted a simple-to-operate system, equally suitable for right- and left-handers.

Lift in productivity

Extensive desk research convinced the company that Piab’s Vaculex TP vacuum-based tube lifter was the ideal ergonomic handling solution. However, to ensure a well-informed choice, Piab and TNT jointly commissioned an independent comparative study by Xdin.

The study comprehensively analysed the ergonomics of TNT’s work processes, using the proven Methods-time Management technique. This analyses the working time of manual processes and assesses how changes in them may affect productivity. The study found that the Piab Vaculex TP tube lifter improved the sorting process in several ways.

41% safer lifting

TNT’s concern for the health and safety of its employees led them to commission further analysis – this time, to provide information on occupational health and safety issues.

Carried out by the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, the method focused on analysis of the combined effects of an activity rather than a single operation.

Based on this analysis, using the vacuum lifter reduces the health risks of TNT parcel sorting personnel by 41%. Although the original aim was for 75% of parcels to be lifted by the system, 99% are now handled using the Vaculex TP lifter.

Safer and healthier employees, higher productivity, better working conditions – that’s TNT parcels SORTED.