ISO wins award for new safety innovation
Waterfront cargo and logistics operator ISO has won the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport NZ (CILT NZ) Award for Safety, Security and Environmental Innovation for its new modular wood-pulp loading stands. The award recognises a cost-effective innovation that significantly enhances an organisation’s operations and safety.
Stevedores working the stands now have a wider, safer working
platform which can be lowered when a truck is alongside
“Winning this award is great recognition for our commitment to both health and safety and to continuous improvement to benefit our customers and our people,” says Greg Dickson, managing director of ISO.
ISO began in 1995 as a stevedoring company, and has grown to become one of New Zealand’s largest waterfront cargo logistics companies. It operates through the Port of Tauranga from the wharves at Mt Maunganui and offers such services as IT solutions, stevedoring, marshalling and warehousing, and transport and distribution.
Demanding job
Stevedoring is a highly specialised and demanding role, especially when it comes to handling bulk cargo. It requires knowledge of the proper techniques for lifting and stowing cargo, and the correct handling of hazardous materials, and is often a physically challenging job. Over 6.7 million tonnes of logs and other forestry products were exported from the Port of Tauranga in the year ending 30 June 2011.
Built using decommissioned shipping containers, ISOs modular stands are a simple but very effective design solution that improves stevedore safety and efficiency when loading pulp onto cargo ships.
They provide a much more stable and functional environment for stevedores that work 12-hour shifts on the stands than the lightweight portable stands that are typically used across the industry for loading pulp.
Onsite input
“The secret to our success in coming up with an effective solution was that we sought input from stevedores, marshallers and truck drivers, which meant that we designed and built a stand that suits everyone’s needs,” says Mr Dickson.
Stevedores working the stands no longer have to climb up and down ladders during every cargo lift. They have more space, with the width of the working platform increasing from 330 mm to 600 mm, and they have shelter (the old stands had no protection from the elements). In addition, a safety hut is incorporated in the stand and forklifts no longer have to drive through operational areas during loading to restock it with safety equipment.
As well as improving staff safety and the productivity gains associated with that, there are additional efficiency gains from the new stands compared to conventional stands. They are easy to transport by truck, rail or ship to other ports; they take less time and require less machinery to set up; and they are extremely robust, which means they are less prone to damage and do not need to be constantly repositioned.
“Safety is ISO’s top priority and we are committed to investing in the development of new technologies, work processes and staff training to keep our people safe,” Mr Dickson says. “Our commitment is reflected in ISO achieving sustained reductions in lost-time injury rates, which consistently remain below the industry average.”