CSR - Copal Handling Systems

Corporate Social Responsibility

Companies in the logistics industry endorse more and more the importance of an ergonomic corporate culture. This will lead to the implementation of innovative and sustainable solutions for physical heavy labour.

With the Copal systems, loose loaded containers can be unloaded safely, quickly, efficiently and ergonomically and so contributes to the Corporate Social Responsibility of your company and a healthy work place for your employees.

Whitepaper Copal

Safe container unloading

Repetitive and heavy lifting over long periods leads to overloading of the back and joints and upper limb disorders (MSD). Lifting as part of the job, like unloading containers, is a common feature in the logistics industry. Employees frequently address this as cause of physical complaints, resulting in missed work and a huge amount in lost productivity and treatment costs.

Employers are responsible for protecting the health, safety and welfare of their employees and hired staff and they are obligated to take measures so employees can lift or carry in a safe manner.

With the Copal container unloading systems, unpalletized goods can be unloaded fully automatic. This way of ergonomic material handling avoids the risk of injuries related to manual container stripping. Read more about Copal related to ergonomics in our presentation.

Occupational Health & Safety regulations

National and international legislations, guidelines and directives have been established for safe and healthy workplaces.

The European Community has a directive in place with health and safety regulations regarding manual material handling. OSHA is the European agency for Health and Safety at work. The 2020-2022 OSHA campaign focuses on the prevention of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs).

Extreme temperatures inside containers

Working in extreme temperatures becomes history. Your employees no longer need to work inside hot or extremely cold sea containers during the unloading process.

Manual handling and lifting causes 30% of all acute injuries

Workers in the container handling and logistics business are often exposed to heavy physical work and hard, sometimes dangerous working conditions.

The Health & Safety Executive (UK) states that manual handling and lifting causes 30% of all acute injuries.Therefore it is vital to eliminate this type of physical stress.

Maximum lifting weight according to NIOSH

Based on the NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Health & Safety US) method, employers in The Netherlands are not allowed to let their employees lift more than 23 kg, under optimal circumstances. If companies do not comply with this regulation, the Health & Safety Inspection SZW can impose a fine*.

The NIOSH calculator is used by occupational health and safety professionals & labour inspection organizations. The tool is used to assess the manual material handling risks, associated with lifting and lowering tasks in the workplace, based on 6 factors: frequency, horizontal, vertical, distance, asymmetric and coupling.

Calculate the maximum lifting weight for your situation according to NIOSH. There are many calculation tools available online or download an app.

Ergonomic container unloading