Speedy has launched a new purpose-built sack truck for its delivery fleet across the UK to reduce the risk of manual handling injuries.
Dubbed Alu-Truck, the lightweight aluminium sack truck has been codeveloped by Speedy, a specialist national construction equipment hire and services provider, and BIL, its material handling equipment supplier.
It incorporates bespoke features, such as a round back to transport gas cylinders more easily, rounded handles for comfortable manoeuvring and an extra-large foldable base plate.
Andy Johnson, HSSEQ director at Speedy, said: “The safety of colleagues and customers is always our top priority. The nature of our business means that there is an inherent risk of manual handling-related injuries, which we’re working hard to mitigate through staff training and by investing in tail-lifts, ramps and winches to reduce the need to lift, pull or push equipment.
“The Alu-Truck is a product of collaborating with our operational teams and our suppliers to solve this key safety issue together. The bespoke sack-truck is designed specifically for routine delivery jobs that we carry out and to handle heavy items like trench rammers and plate compactors. The new undercarriage compartment on our delivery vehicles makes it easy for drivers to access an innovative and safe way of loading goods onto the trolley.”
More than 800 units of the Alu-Truck will be rolled out across the Speedy network alongside a new undercarriage kerb-side compartment to enable drivers access the sack-truck easily.
Developed in partnership with Speedy’s truck builder PPS, this is currently being installed in 445 of its delivery vehicles to house the Alu-Truck.
The Alu-Truck, which was trialled by Speedy’s Reading and Gatwick service centres prior to rollout, is the latest risk management innovation from Speedy, which received the RoSPA gold award for the eighth year in a row in March for Occupational Health and Safety.
