Heathrow uses wearable tech to improve manual handling
In 2015 Heathrow Airport engaged dorsaVi to conduct a ViSafe Comparison Assessment on the musculoskeletal impact of using manual handling aids for the transfer of airport baggage versus the impact of transferring baggage without the use of aids.
The results of this study led to a significant increase in compliance with manual handling aids among baggage handlers.
Heathrow Airport now plans to make a large terminal-wide investment in new manual handling aids. They have shortlisted two products they would like to compare and will be using ViSafe Assessments to provide the evidence and data on which they will base their decision.
Dave Newcombe, head of process engineering, for the baggage programme at Heathrow Airport said: “This hard data gave us the confidence to push hard on driving up the use of the manual handling aids – and the results have exceeded our expectations. Using dorsaVi to inform our equipment selection, improve training and assist with ongoing monitoring was one of the easiest decision I’ve had to make.”
“Heathrow Airport has shown great vision and will be taking the health and safety initiatives within the baggage handling community to a new level by using ViSafe in an integrated way over the coming 12 months. This contract and ongoing relationship validates that we are able to deliver data that is valuable and they can’t get elsewhere,” adds Zoe Whyatt, head of sales and operations, dorsaVi Europe.
