Lifting and handling- MT3 powered tug

By investing in an MT3 electric-powered, pedestrian-operated tug, Bentley Motors has solved a manual-handling dilemma, as well as reducing deliveries of leather to its Crewe plant by 50 per cent, improving the company’s environmental rating.

The car firm uses A-frame hide horses to transfer leather to an area where it is then cut to shape for use on car interiors. In a move designed to cut its carbon footprint, Bentley Motors identified that by doubling the number of hides on each ‘horse’, it could reduce the weekly delivery of leather from two wagons to one.

However, it could not expect staff to manually handle such heavy loads, and a forklift truck was not an option, owing to limited operational space.

Stephen Taylor, project manager of product optimisation engineering at Bentley Motors, explained: “Our risk assessment identified the potential for strains, pulls and fatigue, so a powered unit was going to be the only solution.

The MT3 from MasterMover was identified as being powerful enough to pull the load, but narrow enough to work in the restricted space, and to be stored neatly away from the production line when not in use. The machine has not only eliminated the health and safety issues for us but it has also helped us double productivity for this process and improve our environmental rating.”

To arrange a free product demonstration, contact the sales department on 01335 347 700, or e-mail [email protected]

Approaches to managing the risks associated Musculoskeletal disorders

In this episode of the Safety & Health Podcast, we hear from Matt Birtles, Principal Ergonomics Consultant at HSE’s Science and Research Centre, about the different approaches to managing the risks associated with Musculoskeletal disorders.

Matt, an ergonomics and human factors expert, shares his thoughts on why MSDs are important, the various prevalent rates across the UK, what you can do within your own organisation and the Risk Management process surrounding MSD’s.

Listen now!