Laura Nelson, Managing Director for RTITB, was recently invited to chair a panel discussion at IWLEX 2024. This brought together industry experts to share advice around safety and compliance in logistics. The panel provided lots of actionable advice which we feel you may find helpful in your company.
The panel included:
- Mike Hawkins, Group Sales and Marketing Director for Flexi Narrow Aisle
- Rebecca Hicks, Warehouse Operations Director of Uniserve
- Andre Jutel, Divisional Head of Ergonomic Safety Technology at Stanley
- Marta Tomlinson, Legal Director at law firm Kennedys
In this blog, we summarise the key takeaways.
Injuries are still too common
While some companies focus on avoiding serious incidents, simple incidents are still occurring. It was suggested that adoption of safety tech as standard is not as far forward in the UK as it is elsewhere in Europe. Also, that time pressures are causing operators to take potentially unsafe action. With Marta Tomlinson suggesting she has spoken to clients that have seen “people making modifications that they should not be able to do” after watching YouTube videos, with the intent for vehicles to move faster.
She suggests that safety records can be helpful here. They enable companies to identify trends, and review systems accordingly. “Companies are nervous about accident records because they are fearful if they need to disclose them in some sort of legal proceedings it is going to reflect badly on them,” she explains. However, keeping detailed records across an entire site may help demonstrate an overall low accident rate.
Meanwhile, Rebecca reminds of the importance of regular safety audits. “The best way to do audits is to have different people do it every time….so that a fresh set of eyes is going out and looking…almost deliberately making a point of looking at different areas.” She recommends companies aim to reach the end of every audit with findings and actions: “if you go and tick everything on the list is fine…you can’t learn from it.” Involving a wider team can help make this easier.
Three Top Tips
- Don’t forget the basics that can prevent simple warehouse incidents
- Keep thorough safety records
- Shake up your safety audits
Lack of buy-in to Health and Safety
“There is still a huge fear factor…that if you speak up about Health and Safety… that your team might see you as snitching on them or trying to make trouble,” said Rebecca Hicks. Rebecca suggests the industry must help workers feel “comfortable and confident” and clear in their responsibility to make sure those around them are operating safely.
Creating positive engagement in health and safety is a big challenge. Without safety, it is harder for companies to progress and benefit from new opportunities, around technology for example.
Mike Hawkins adds that complacency is still a challenge. And that there is a need to “find new and inventive ways to get the message across to people on a daily basis.”
Marta added how behavioural psychology and safety expert Professor Tim Marsh recommends reframing language. For example, “if you tell a workforce ‘Do it safely but by Friday,’ they will prioritise the Friday, not the safety…rephrase the question “do it safely AND by Friday and if there are any problems, speak to me”’.
Three Top Tips
- Create a culture of openness around health and safety
- Use new methods – from lunch and learn sessions, to interactive quiz apps
- Use positive language in communication
Acceptance of assistive technologies
Managers may understand new safety technologies and how they can assist workers. But employees may not. According to Andre Jutel, when presented with an exoskeleton workers may think, “oh god, it is just another management thing they want to put on me to make me more efficient.”
He suggests leaning on data to explain why new technologies can be good for their health and safety, because “the data doesn’t lie.”
There will need to be collaboration to help people to understand why assistive technologies can benefit them. The same applies to new processes and systems. And management buy in is key. “I have been in situations where … managers have said ‘yeah we’ll see how the workers like it’… instant fail,” says Andre. Positive management buy-in starts from understanding that safety has a cost, but there is a reason for it.
Mike Hawkins adds that someone needs to take responsibility for new technology. It is a huge opportunity if “you use it in the right way and make someone accountable for the technology”. Training of users is of course also essential and needs to be seen as a positive.
Companies may be reluctant to invest in safety equipment and processes, until an incident has already happened. This is not a robust defence in the event of a court case. In fact, Marta explains it shows more could have been done to prevent an incident.
From a legal perspective, Marta recommends thinking ahead in selling technology to management. For example, “if you don’t do this and you get prosecuted, our fine could be in the region of a million pounds.”
Three Top Tips
- Use incentives to encourage the team to engage
- Put benefits in context – how does it really help them?
- Consider costs vs consequences at management level
Encouraging Inclusivity
Skills challenges are a big problem for the industry. However, operations have an opportunity to be more inclusive to those with disabilities to tackle this.
Mike suggested the rise of the role of remote operators could play a part: “There are many solutions where operators can stay at home or work from a remote location which means…they don’t need to get onto the actual equipment.” He adds that this approach may also be cost effective for some operations.
Andre suggests going back to the basics of good ergonomics: “you’ve got to understand the person and what their requirements are…you can’t start implementing technology until you understand their challenges.”
“I think the biggest thing is not to make assumptions” agreed Rebecca, suggesting that communication is key for inclusivity. “Ask people questions… get them involved in trials, get them involved in discussions at the early stages so it can help inform and make sure things are done the right way,” she says, adding that “removing blockers” is key.
For example, where companies assume they cannot achieve safety and compliance if their operations include disabled workers. From a legal perspective, this is untrue. “It goes back to very simply reviewing the risk assessment,” explains Marta. Explaining that there also needs to be conversation between safety professionals and HR to help accommodate different needs. Marta recommends that charities can also offer helpful advice.
Three Top Tips
- Identify needs by talking to individuals
- Engage with HR professionals and charities for guidance
- Think differently about your risk assessments
Turn challenges into opportunities
It was clear from the discussion that there are still challenges within logistics. However, by tackling these, there are opportunities to improve both safety and compliance. Thanks to IWLEX for giving RTITB the opportunity to be involved in this important event for our industry.
Learn more about IWLEX and keep an eye out for next year’s dates!
Author: Laura Nelson, Managing Director, RTITB
Laura Nelson has worked with RTITB, the leading workplace transport training accreditation body, for more than 20 years. She has been Managing Director for 8 years.
Laura champions the development of innovative training programs, training quality standards, and software. She aims to empower the transport, warehousing, and logistics industries to achieve safety excellence.
Her approach to leadership reflects her belief in the importance of the RTITB mission to save lives.
Laura is a qualified Transport Manager and ISO9001 Lead Auditor. She has also completed Cranfield University’s Business Growth Program.
Connect with Laura on LinkedIn