Yodel invents trailer safety gate

50 new trailers have been introduced, all equipped with the bespoke Yodel Safety Gate system. The custom-engineered safety feature has been designed to protect operatives from falling items when trailers are opened. Yodel and Cartwright created the system of two bifold mesh gates which can be opened individually, replacing the standard fabric net.

Andy Johnson, director of health, safety, environment & quality at Yodel, said: “The health and safety of our colleagues is of the utmost priority and we are proud to have developed this new feature which means a safer working environment.

“Working with key partners, like Cartwrights, is part of our ongoing commitment to think outside the box, as we develop solutions to help make the industry safer.”

The new safety gate allows sort and depot operatives to open the back of the trailer and see clearly what is inside, without the risk of loose loaded items falling on them. If there is a danger that some items may fall, then sections of the bifold gates can be opened individually and the items reorganised or removed in a controlled manner.

The design was developed in consultation with Yodel colleagues. The resulting prototype is being piloted on Yodel’s latest consignment of 50 single-deck, twin axle trailers from Cartwright, before being rolled out across the wider fleet. Yodel handles over 145 million parcels every year.