Manual handling can cause musculoskeletal disorders that can result in workers being unable to do their job. By using access and materials handling equipment, manual handling can be reduced.
Exoskeleton wearable technology is being developed that supplements the wearer’s muscle power to make manual handling easier. Some industries are even looking at how to replace manual handling workers with fully automated technology.
Workers installing overhead line electrification on Britain’s railways normally fit some steelwork manually, and this can cause strains. A new vehicle has been developed that automates the process so that no manual handling is required. The vehicle looks like a lorry with a specialist crane on the top, and has wheels adapted so that it can move along the rail track. It also incorporates standard pneumatic tyres for driving on the road to take workers to and from jobs.
In other industries, robots are used for manual handling jobs. For example, a windscreen washer manufacturer uses robots to handle deliveries of bulk bottles. Before their implementation, employees would lift the bottles themselves, potentially causing strain and fatigue.
Automated technology is particularly beneficial for older workers who are more susceptible to injuries caused by manual handling.
The one thing that automated manual handling systems are not good at is making important decisions. Until robots become extremely smart, they will not replace human workers, but they still have a vital role in reducing accidents and injuries at work caused by manual handling processes.
