Project to Introduce Palletised Handling for the Loading and Delivery of Retail Orders into Pubs and Clubs 

DELIVERING A SAFER WORKPLACE

The unacceptable rate of accidents due to strains, falling objects slips and falls has led to the implementation of strict measures to ensure a safer working environment for our employees and delivery personnel.

SAFETY FIRST

The introduction of palletized handling for the loading and delivery of retail orders to pubs and clubs has substantially reduced the number of manual handling accidents. The project has included load scheduling that allows for palletized loading in drop order. Additionally, our delivery vehicles have been fitted with tail lifts, side gates and have been installed with improved flooring and lighting.

We have also introduced electric powered hand pallet trucks on delivery vehicles and provided shrink wrap machines to secure kegs and cases on the pallets. Operating procedures and training modules have ensured the new measures have been correctly adopted.

FEWER ACCIDENTS, BETTER DELIVERY

Despite concern from our delivery crews that the new working practices would lead to slower deliveries, this has proved not to be the case. Fewer accidents and the introduction of one man deliveries, the initiative has new met with a favorable response from delivery crews. The project has also seen substantial investment in new vehicles and hand pallet trucks, and has met with the approval of insurance companies due to reduced claims and settlements. We received a citation for the initiative at the national Health and Safety Awards in the Food, Drink and Hospitality category.

CONTINUOUS REASSESSMENT

Last year, we continued to improve on delivery practices and introduced a new training DVD. Our project team, consisting of Procurement, IT, Distribution Management, Trade Unions and operators as well as Health and Safety are continually looking at ways to improve working practices.