Logan Teleflex’s innovative technology tackles baggage handling health and safety issues

NEWS Release Date: 1st September 2010 Logan Teleflex’s innovative technology tackles baggage handling health and safety issues New technology developed by world class baggage systems integrator, Logan Teleflex could help tackle ever increasing health and safety issues for baggage handlers at airports around the world. Logan Teleflex has produced what it believes to be a cost-effective solution to one of the oldest problems associated with handling bags from destination chutes and make up carousels to dolly carts. The company’s Patent Pending Semi Automatic Make Up Solution (SAMS) device enables an operator to control and position a bag into the cart or dolly using one hand, minimising the risk for handlers to sustain back injuries. The system also includes a telescoping ball conveyor, allowing the operator to orientate the bag to enable hand scanning or precise positioning of bag handles. The flexibility of the solution also means bags can be loaded into carts directly from sorting machines. Logan Teleflex developed the system in response to concerns from Unions about the high level of back injuries suffered by the baggage handlers in the aviation industry. The Health and Safety Executive are also taking a keen interest in introducing regulations to improve the manual handling of luggage, an initiative backed by IATA. The task of removing bags from destination chutes, carousels or lateral sorting conveyors and placing them onto carts or inside the baggage dollies lies with the baggage handlers. It is probably the most physical and demanding task in an airport. It has been calculated that a baggage handler can lift as much as nine tons per shift with oversize or overweight bags weighing up to 32kg. Mike Jeffery, Logan’s Managing Director, said: “In today’s airports the handling of bags is a highly automated process and there have been many attempts to introduce handling equipment to reduce this manual element. These have ranged from the fully automatic robotic handling systems to the simple hook and chain or vacuum lifters. Both have significant shortcomings, including using up too much space, requiring too much capital outlay and being slow and cumbersome. “Our solution is a mid-market product that provides a practical and cost effective solution to a long standing problem in the industry, while improving efficiency. With a constant flow of bags the operator can position seven bags per minute. The novelty of the solution is based around the application and flexibility. It can be used to load bags into carts or dollies directly from sorting machines. More importantly, the system addresses growing health and safety concerns about the welfare of baggage handlers. In that respect, the SAMS system delivers benefits to all concerned.” -ENDS - Editor’s Note: For press enquiries, please contact:- Logan Teleflex - Gary Lillistone, Bridge PR Ltd. on tel: 024 76520025 or e-mail: garyl@bridgepr.co.uk

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