Case history 1 - Training in drinks delivery

This brewery's draymen deliver various products including kegs weighing between
41 and 194kg, crates weighing 19kg and cases weighing up to 22kg but are often dependent on 'on the job' training at licensees own premises. Existing training
methods can have a negative, disruptive impact on the licensees' business whilst
also presenting a wide range of hazardous working environments to trainees such
as slopes and eneven floors. The brewery felt that training could be enhanced by
taking the initial stages away from the licensees and that certain scenarios could
be simulated.

Cellar Lifts were installed into their distribution centres' training cellars.
All draymen now undergo theory, practical and refresher training in the centres.

Result

• Reduced damage to third-party property
• Increased efficiency and quality

Case history 2 - Delivering drinks to cellars

An average of 15 barrels and 50 cases were being delivered and collected from
this public house cellar every week. The task was traditionally carried out by lowering
the barrels on a rope down a pair of skids and cases were allowed to slide in free fall
down a plank to one side - both methods resulted in container and building damage,
re-deliveries to make up shortfalls as a result of lost product and manual handling
methods which were beyond acceptable levels.

The system was mechanised by fitting a Cellar Lift, with the cost of training
incorporated in the normal draymen training programme and refresher courses.

Result

• Container and building damage significantly reduced
• Awkward lifting operations eliminated
• Safe methods of work could not be easily avoided
• Retrieving full or part-full containers no longer a problem
• Deliveries speeded up
• Fitting a Cellar Lift provided extra space in small cellars to store empties
• Reduction in accidents and long-term illness now expected

Case history 3 - Loading kegs

This brewery's draymen had to collect 2-3 full and part-full kegs a week and load
them via skids onto the vehicle for return to the brewery. The sheer physical force
of moving full kegs weighing between 41 and 194kg was causing a problem for the
draymen - the kegs were prone to unpredictable movements, didn't always have
handholds and often had metal splinters due to wear and tear. Skids were not always
used due to jamming and the draymen seeking to speed-up the process by cutting
corners.

Working with Penny Hydraulics a Swing Lift crane was developed which can be fitted
to the rear post of dray vehicles. The crane allows kegs/casks to be lifted directly from
ground to the vehicle bed.

Result

• Task requires much less physical strain
• Increased manoeuvrability
• Task completed more speedily and safely

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