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Pallet Trucks UK has urged businesses to prioritise worker safety after a dreadful accident caused a pallet to fall on a freight worker, leaving him with devastating spinal injuries and robbing him of his ability to walk.

Andrew Potts, 53, was working as a freight checker for United Pallet Network in Lichfield when the pallet holding glass fell off a curtain-sided lorry and crushed him. This came after Andrew had previously attempted to stabilize the pallets using a forklift truck a few moments earlier.

Previously a fully able man, Mr Potts has now been reduced to having to use a mobility scooter to travel more than a few feet and is completely reliant on his wife for household activities such as cooking and cleaning.

Phil Chesworth, Pallet Trucks UK Managing Director, said: “This is a really catastrophic injury which has robbed an unfortunate worker of his freedom. Going from being a fully able-bodied person to having to use a mobility scooter is devastating for both the victim and his family.

“The worst part about this injury is that it could’ve been avoided; it sounds like the pallet was in a precarious position to start with which is unacceptable in any case, but made even worse by the fact that a lack of attention to safety has cost a man his independence.”

As well as causing excruciating spinal fractures, Mr Potts suffered multiple broken bones and damaged teeth from the accident. He is now suing the owners of the lorry, Lescost Transport Ltd, for damages in excess of £200,000.

Mr Pott’s lawyers state that’s he’s been badly psychologically affected by the accident, and suffers from depression and anxiety as a result of being unable to look after himself and perform simple actions such as climbing stairs.

Phil added: “Some pallets are extremely heavy and it isn’t surprising how severe Mr Pott’s injuries are if the pallet fell on him from height, especially if it was holding a product on top of it as well.”

Pallet Trucks UK stocks a huge array of manual handling equipment used by freight workers and other materials handling professionals, including pallet trucks, moving skates, lift tables, forklift fork extensions, drum loaders and more.

PalletTrucksUK, one of the UK’s most successful suppliers of pallet trucks, stackers, lift tables, and a whole host of other essential equipment, has offered online traders tips for keeping their customers happy, after it’s been reported that 78% of UK adults are likely to switch to an alternative retailer when next shopping for products online if they have a poor ordering and delivery experience.

The experts, who have been trading online for many years, know what it takes to keep customers happy, from the moment they click on a site, to the moment they receive their order. And as such, have received sterling feedback from large, corporate customers with large orders, to small start-ups who just need a few things to get them up and running.

The first port of call for online businesses to ensure their offering is as customer-friendly as possible is to get a good staff base in place. If businesses have a reliable staff force, then work will get done in a timely manner.

“If it’s a team, they need to work together and ensure all bases are covered – not just assume it has been done by another worker,” said Phil Chesworth, Managing Director at PalletTrucksUK. “The staff are the heart of the businesses, so as well as hiring competent people that thrive in a busy team, employees must make sure they are happy and valued. After all, it’s been proven that happy employees are around 20% more productive than those who are unhappy[1]. So creating a happy environment really is key in busy online businesses.”

Putting set processes in place is another important factor for online retailers. Making sure everyone knows the systems and protocols in place for new orders and returns can speed up the process significantly and leave valued customers satisfied and encourage them to come back.

Another factor businesses need to look at is investing in equipment to up productivity and increase safety. Equipment has proven to be incredibly important for busy warehouses where there are thousands of orders and returns to process every week. Companies have a relatively small window in this fast-paced online retail world to get product from warehouse and out for delivery. And getting the right equipment is integral to this, while also keeping employees safe by cutting down on the amount of strain from moving items.

The report, released by JDA/Centiro Customer Pulse and conducted by YouGov, found that 56% of the UK adults surveyed had experienced a problem with an online order in the last 12 months – signalling an increase from 53% in the 2016 report, and 47% on the year before. Of those who had experienced a problem, 42% said they had been on the receiving end of a later than specified delivery, 37% had missed a delivery despite being at home, 25% never received an item, and 24% received a damaged item.

Phil, added, “This really is unacceptable in this day and age. Online orders are not a new concept – we’ve had years to practice getting it right. So there’s nowhere to hide unfortunately. And if businesses are to succeed they must get it right first time.

To find out more about PalletTrucksUK and browse their extensive range of equipment available to purchase online, visit the website: www.pallettrucksuk.co.uk

[1] https://www.5dynamics.com/happy-employees-efficient-productive-stay-longer/

The pressure on businesses to meet targets has arguably never been higher. Facing a future outside of the EU with the recent triggering of Article 50, it’s important that companies look to the future.

PalletTrucksUK, one of the country’s leading suppliers of pallet stackers, lift tables, and similar equipment, has offered business leaders and managers advice on how to prevent workplace accidents, which can have a detrimental effect on the productivity, reputation, and financial aspects of a company.

The first tip the experts at the company suggest implementing is simplicity. In an environment where machinery is used on a daily basis, there’s no need to overcomplicate duties – says the expert.

“Often accidents happen when operations are complex,” said Phil Chesworth, Managing Director at PalletTrucksUK. “Stripping operations back to their most simple form, and of course ensuring everyone knows what they are meant to be doing – and when, will help cut down on the number of accidents significantly.”

Having key processes in place and written down will ensure that everyone knows what they are supposed to do in every circumstance. Not only will this help with productivity by cutting down on the amount of time wasted, but it will also make for a more streamlined process throughout the company.

Regular training is another key point, according to the experts. It’s the law that a number of training exercises need to be carried out, but managers need to look deeper into it and ensure training is given at regular intervals to refresh minds and create a highly skilled workforce.

The last tip from the expert supplier is to invest in reliable equipment that won’t let the business down.

Phil, added, “If a business relies on machinery and equipment – no matter what sector that is, being able to rely on this throughout the year is the most important part of running a successful business. As the backbone of a company, it up to leaders to invest wisely and not cut corners.”

Last year the UK produced more start-up companies than ever before. And this year is set to break records just the same. With such stiff competition, how can UK start-ups ensure they stand out and cement their future?

PalletTrucksUK, one of the largest suppliers of pallet trucks, forklift fork extensions and lift tables to businesses, has offered start-ups and small businesses tips on which units are best to invest in for small companies who need a bit of oomph behind their small workforce.

Lift tables are indispensable for businesses where the lifting and lowering of goods is imperative. They provide a safe, secure and robust platform, ensuring safety at all times. Depending on the size and weight capacity needed, these start at just over £1000 ex. VAT, which although may seem like a large outlay to new companies, the production benefits offered by these far outweighs the initial price tag.

Manual stackers are another key ingredient in the start-up menu. They easily solve any lifting conundrum thanks to their strong and reliable build. Depending on what these stackers will be used for entirely depends on what businesses need to look for. Some businesses need them to tilt, while others needs vary much more so will need a stacker with adjustable legs. However for the entry-level stacker, businesses are looking at under £450 ex. VAT for a quality assured platform stacker.

“For equipment that brings so many benefits, these really do offer excellent value for money,” said Phil Chesworth, Managing Director at PalletTrucksUK. “When companies first start, the attentions are very much focussed on the purse strings, and it can sometimes be hard to see the wood for the trees. But sitting down and going through what needs to be done daily will help make things clearer. Then it is up to business owners to look at ways they can improve production and streamline processes going forward. And often, that includes investing in equipment.”

Moving skates are the last piece of the puzzle according to the experts. Incredibly cost-effective, they start at around £40 ex. VAT for a one tonne capacity skate, and offer incredible safety credentials. Used for gliding heavy and large objects from one area to another they cut down on injury and make the process inherently faster.

All businesses want to streamline the efficiency of both staff and processes, but sometimes that is easier said than done. However for businesses that rely on the movement of goods, efficiency can be easily upped by focusing on logistical processes.

PalletTrucksUK, one of the largest suppliers of pallet trucks, forklift fork extensions and lift tables to businesses all over the UK, has reiterated exactly how efficient logistics can positively impact a business.

As the business world becomes increasingly more competitive, keeping customers happy is one of the most important parts of running a company in order to guarantee customer loyalty. It has been stated that it costs, on average, five times more to acquire a new customer than it does to retain one, so keeping existing customers happy will help to ensure repeat custom and cut down on the marketing and lead generation aimed at new customers. And proficient logistics are at the heart of this. Reliable logistics helps to cut down on the amount of time wasted getting products to customers, while potentially even minimising the costs of doing so. These savings can then be passed on to the customer.

Phil Chesworth, Managing Director of PalletTrucksUK, said, “By investing in the everyday logistics, businesses can reap a myriad of rewards. From financial benefits to staff and customer satisfaction, the pluses efficient logistic operations can bring within a business really are unparalleled.”

Labour costs can also be reduced by using logistics correctly by cutting down on the number of people needed to undertake tasks. This will free up the time of the other employees and allow them to concentrate on other areas of the business which can help it to grow, develop and change, as needed, to stay ahead of competitors

In some sectors, injuries at work are unfortunately relatively common, while other sectors are seemingly free from accidents and injuries. Thankfully in the UK there are certain guidelines and processes that businesses must follow in order to protect their employees. And PalletTrucksUK, one of the country’s optimum providers of pallet trucks, stackers and lift tables to a range of sectors, is reiterating the need for employers to take precautions to ensure the safety of their employees, after the fatal injury statistics 2015/16 were published.

According to the report, the provisional number of workers fatally injured in 2015/16 is 144. This correlates to a rate of fatal injury of 0.46 deaths per 100,000 workers.

While there were reportedly 67 members of the public fatally injured in accidents connected to work. However this does not include any incidents that relate to railways, and those enforced by the Care Quality Commission.

Phil Chesworth from PalletTrucksUK, said, “The number of fatal injuries taking place as a result of work is incredibly worrying. It’s imperative that employers take the necessary steps, and invest in machinery and equipment in order to ensure they protect their employees as well as themselves against serious accidents that could cause significant injury.”

Over the latest 20 years, there has been a downward trend in the rate of fatal injuries, decreasing significantly since the 1990s. However in recent years, that number has shown signs of levelling off. Highlighting a seven percent drop in injuries over the previous five years, this year has bucked the trend and does show a slight increase on last year. For 2014/15, the finalised figure was 142 fatal injuries, which corresponds to a rate of 0.46 deaths per 100,000 workers.

It is worth noting however that the figures for 2015/16 are provisional at present, covering the twelve months 1 April 2015 to 31 March 2016. The figures will be finalised in July 2017, following any necessary adjustments.

PalletTrucksUK has been one of the UK’s leading suppliers of warehouse equipment for over 30 years. The perfect addition to manual handing workforces, good quality equipment such as pallet trucks, stackers, platform lifts and moving skates can help to minimise the number of fatalities in the workplace.

PalletTrucksUK, one of the country’s finest providers of pallet trucks and lift tables to a variety of sectors, has welcomed the news that the online arm of BHS, one of the longest-standing retailers on the British high street, is to be sold to Quatari group, Al Mana. After weeks of talks with prospective buyers, the British institution is set to continue its international and online activities thanks to a purchase from the giant. Set to acquire more than 70 of its international stores and continue its online sales both in the UK and abroad, this news has given a welcome boost to the unstable retail industry.

Phil Chesworth from PalletTrucksUK, said, “It’s been a tough couple of months for the British high street. BHS was seen as one of the most stable and constant players in the retail sector, so it came as quite a shock to companies up and down the country. However the news that it is to live on online is wonderful as it gives hope to the country’s retailers. There’s no denying that online shopping is the future of retail, so it makes sense to take the struggling store right into the 21st century.”

The announcement came just weeks after the company failed to find a buyer after it fell into administration after a troublesome couple of years of struggling sales and falling profits. The Qatari company’s deal, which also has licensing agreements with other British high retailers such as HMV, will guarantee a further return to creditors.

Providing the UK high street with fantastic products, such as clothing, homeware and gifts, the store was much-loved by people of all ages. Unfortunately however the deal won’t save hundreds of jobs that are set to go over the coming months as the shops in the UK shut down. Phil adds, “Although it will still be tough for the BHS staff, there is light at the end of the tunnel for the company. And the fact that the BHS name will live on for years to come is certain to bring joy.”

PalletTrucksUK has been one of the country’s leading suppliers of pallet trucks, stackers and other warehouse equipment for over 30 years.