Hospital help

By investing in six electric-operated materials handling tugs for moving roll cages of catering trolleys, laundry and medical notes around its two sites, Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has reduced the risk of accidents and injuries to its staff, while improving handling efficiencies.

Prior to investing in six SmartMover tugs, catering supplies, laundry and medical notes were unloaded from a truck or van and moved by roll cage or trolley to their destination. A roll cage of linen can weigh up to a third of a tonne, so moving the cage often required two people to push and pull one cage at a time to its destination.

Moving heavy, bulky goods around the sites posed too high a risk of injury to staff and the decision was taken to bring in MasterMover's SmartMover electric-operated tug.

This is a versatile machine designed for moving roll cages from vehicle tail lifts and across uneven surfaces and slopes, which can also turn through 90°. By clamping to the base of the roll cage or trolley, the unit ensures the cage cannot be tipped onto the operator. This reduces the risk of injury to employees and makes unloading and moving goods a single-person procedure.