Page 8 - NewsLetter - January 2020 - for Mail Final.cdr

Global Case Study - Preventing MSDs

in the Logistics Sector

According to the French healthcare insurance
authority (Assurance Maladie), 1 out of 3
workplace injuries and 3 out of 4 registered
musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) in France are
related to manual handling in the workplace.
Manual handling in warehouses involves
lifting, carrying, and putting down parcels and
single products throughout the day. The
activity can become a potential workplace
hazard when an employee is required to
handle loads repeatedly or because of
unfavourable working postures. To prevent
MSDs, FM Logistic developed and patented the
Ergoskel in collaboration with the University of
Technology of Compiègne (UTC), France.

SOLUTION:

" The Ergoskel is designed to facilitate the handling
of parcels weighing up to 25 kg

" It is worn like a backpack with adjustments for
body size and weighs 2.8 kg

" The vest-like device consists of a frame with
elements on the upper body, lower back, and
upper thighs, as well as cables with hand clutches

" The lift-assistance mechanism starts when the
picker places his or her hand under the parcel
" It takes less than 90 seconds to put on and adjust
the Ergoskel and 30 seconds to remove it

" FM Logistic is trialling 10 Ergoskel devices at five
of its warehouses in France

" A sample of 25 employees of all ages has tested
the device

RESULTS:
" 85 % of the testers said they were able to keep
their freedom of movement

" The first tests show that the Ergoskel reduces
strain on the back and upper muscles by 70%

FM Logistics plans to implement the Ergoskel across all its facilities.