Welcome to our warehouse supplement. The coronavirus pandemic and subsequent lockdown sent the logistics sector into overdrive as demand for food, medical supplies and other essentials escalated rapidly, with many supply operations initially struggling to meet demand. Once the pandemic is over and a proper study of the logistics’ sector’s response is undertaken, it will be interesting to analyse the statistics to see if accident rates increased as a result of the extra demands placed on the industry. The pandemic has heightened the sense of safety awareness, not just in the logistics industry but across society in general, with Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) hitting the headlines.
This article was first published in the May 15th 2020 issue of Warehouse & Logistics News, subscribe to the magazine by clicking here.
As the UK begins planning a return to normality after the Covid-19 pandemic, members of the Automated Material Handling Systems Association (AMHSA) feel confident that warehouse automation will be high on the agenda. AMHSA members cite a number of factors that will contribute to the demand for their products and services. “As well as the inevitable planning for future pandemics that will boost demand for robotics and automation to enable organisations to be more resilient to potential emergencies in the future,” says AMHSA Secretary Dave Berridge. “The Coronavirus lockdown has boosted e-com sales, where warehouse automation has a proven track record in delivering the required levels of speed and accuracy. Add the predicted labour shortages from Brexit into the mix,” says Berridge, “and it is clear why AMHSA members believe they will soon be busier than ever.”
In a bid to help businesses deal with the current crisis and immediate aftermath, the Fork Lift Truck Association (FLTA) has acted swiftly by providing open access to all its online resources. “We have a wealth of resources, management tools and practical advice which, under normal circumstances, is only available to our FLTA or Safe User Group members. But exceptional circumstances call for exceptional measures, and the FLTA is determined to do everything in its power to help British business survive the crisis, recover and prosper.” In order to gain access to the most appropriate information, visitors to the FLTA website will be able to sign into one of two categories: users of forklifts (public); and suppliers of forklift trucks and related equipment or services (trade).
“We can only hope that as the logistics industry moves forward then the lessons learned from the pandemic are implemented and that the safety of everyone working in the industry is secure,” says BITA Technical Manager David Goss. By a strange coincidence, the slogan of National Forklift Safety Day 2020 is ‘Segregation Saves Lives’. This was developed way before the pandemic took hold and Social Distancing became prerequisite. The theme highlights the need for the safe segregation of warehouse workers and MHE, preferably by using physical barriers. Nevertheless, in the current climate, its double meaning takes on added significance. Enjoy reading the supplement
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