Towards Better Handling
Page 34
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VEHICLE unloading, palletization and de-palletization, and mechanical vehicle load-forming were three of several subjects suggested for new study groups at the meeting of the National Joint Council on Materials Handling in London last week. The suggestions came from the study group on automatic warehousing, which had just completed its work and produced a report on the subject, available from the Council at 20 Manchester Sq., London, W.1, price 7s. 6d. to members and 10s. 6d. to nonmembers.
Another suggested study group—put forward by Shell Chemical Co.—was on drum handling, to deal with such aspects as delivery of empty drums, weighing and warehousing of drums and the possibilities of automatic control at each stage.
Chairmen of study groups made their reports to the council at this meeting. One, on bulk handling (defined as handling unpackaged material in direct contact with the handling or transporting plant, plus material in bins and small containers) reported a dearth of reliable published material about the types of equipment and processes.
.A report is expected by the end of the year from the process-handling group, which is currently studying strip materials in coil form, while the pallet pool study group has held several meetings and is busy deciding how much it can hope to accomplish and what sort of time target it needs to set.
Other groups reported on studies in materials handling research and space utilization in warehouses.
The National Joint Council (reconstituted in 1963 from a similarly named committee) now has around 130 members, of whom nine are consultants, 19 professional bodies (including IRTE from road transport), eight research bodies, four trade unions, four trade associations, four government departments and about 80 are industrial concerns ranging from Shell and Unilever to quite small manufacturers.
English Clays, The Proprietors of Hays Wharf, J. Sainsbury, and Boots the Chemists are among new members.
Wages proposal soon
THE Road Haulage Wages Council proposal
RH(83) embodying the three per cent rise in bask pay, the altered overtime payments and the 41-hour week is expected to be published in the week ending March 11. There will then be a 14-day waiting period for objections before the substantive proposal goes to the Minister of Labour for signature and implementing date.