The Preston firm provides a range of printing and scanning systems used across a wide variety of markets including retail, warehousing and ecommerce.
Zebra won this year’s ‘Risk reduction through design’ award, sponsored by the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) and the Chartered Institute of Ergonomics and Human Factors (CIEHF).
The award is focused on design innovation to reduce the risk of workers developing musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), such as injuries and conditions that can affect the back, joints and limbs.
Zebra developed an innovative in-house setup to reduce manual handling of printed rolls and boxes.
The citation stated: “Previously, operators lifted the finished roll off the printing press and then by bending and twisting down placed the finished rolls onto the pallet at ground level.
“A full pallet was then taken by pallet truck to the packing area to be boxed. The operator lifted the rolls from the pallet onto the packing line. Once sealed, the operator lifted the box from the packing line onto the pallet at ground level.”
Zebra’s winning design involved moving the boxing machine adjacent to the packing line to reduce the lifting tasks.
The firm’s maintenance team also designed a cradle that fits onto the existing boxing machine “which allows the whole unit to raise, lower and tilt to suit each of the operators needs to help reduce and address musculoskeletal issues”.
Ali Wellens of the HSE’s Health and Work Branch and chair of the judging panel said: “The ‘Risk reduction through design’ award is intended to highlight the important contribution that design changes can make in reducing risks of musculoskeletal disorders.
“We were delighted to receive so many innovative designs from businesses across a wide range of industries. The volume of entries demonstrates some of the great work businesses are doing to protect their workers’ health.
“MSDs are a significant risk to workers’ health, and we urge all businesses to consider how they could make design changes to eliminate or reduce the risks in their workplaces.”
Gordon Alexander, environmental health and safety specialist at Zebra Technologies Europe said the firm was thrilled to receive the award: “We continually strive towards a safe and healthy workplace for all, and encourage a culture of safety, teamwork, innovation and continuous improvement. This award reinforces our ongoing efforts and is a fantastic achievement for the team. Thank you to HSE & CIEHF for considering our entry.”
