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DHL keeps drivers grounded
Page 10
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DHL has developed a new coupling system with Don-Bur to prevent its drivers from becoming fall guys...
By Brian Weatherie
EUROPEAN LOGISTICS giant DHL is to specify a new groundbased coupling system on all of its new dry freight trailers as part of its ongoing programme to reduce driver personal injuries and, in particular, working-at-height risks.
The Safe Suzie Coupling, developed in conjunction with specialist trailer-maker and bodybuilder Don-Bur, uses a swinging arm to place the trailer's 'coupling box' at chest height. so a driver no longer needs to climb onto the catwalk of an artic to connect or disconnect the suzies to a semi-trailer.
The device came out of a joint health and safety forum created by DHL some two years ago, which includes employees, truck and trailer manufacturers and other OEM suppliers.
Having originally considered using a sliding-suzie rail-type system. DHL and Don-Bur both rejected it, not least because it was unable to place the coupling box sufficiently low enough to be used by smaller female drivers.
Instead, Don-Bur and DHL went
back to the drawing board to create a unique, patented device that has been given a strong endorsement by DHL's drivers. And, according to David Potter, DHL vice-president for UK&I EEME: "It will be fitted as standard on all new DHL dry freight trailers. We're also looking at adapting it, and, ultimately, fitting it to our tankers and controlled-temperature trailers, as well as retrofitting it to older [dry freighti trailers where appropriate, too.
Operation To use the system, the driver first presses a control button on the nearside trailer rave, which is mounted close to the front bulkhead. This activates a pneumatically powered piston that pushes the swing arm over towards the nearside of the trailer. Via a curved handle, the driver then pulls the arm further downwards until the coupling box reaches chest height. At that point,the suzies can he disconnected and stowed at the back of the trailer, again on the nearside of the cab.
Once all the suzies have been disconnected, the driver pushes the swing arm back up into the intermediate' position ready for the trailer to be coupled up with again.
When the driver backs a tractor under the trailer, having applied the tractor park brake, he then walks around to the nearside of the trailer and pulls down the swing arm into the lower position and reconnects the suzics.
Since the air couplings are vertically mounted on the underside of the coupling box, the driver is able to able to apply plenty of leverage to push the air lines on. This operation is further aided by 'Easy-Grip' collars at the top of the air lines, which ensure a firm grip.
When all the connections are made, the driver pushes the swing arm back to the intermediate position, then, via the pneumatic piston, returns the arm to the central `running' position in the middle of the trailer bulkhead.
The DHL/Don-Bur Safe Suzie coupling system features many safety inter-locks with the trailer's E.BS system, which prevent the brakes from being released until the swing arm has returned to the central running position. However. should a brake sensor fail, allowing
the trailer to move forward, a backup system automatically retracts the arm to the transit position.
In addition, a safety light (powered by batteries on the trailer) is fitted to the top of the coupling box to alert pedestrians that the arm is in the lowered position.
Although the system has been developed by Don-Bur with DHL, both partners insist there's no exclusivity agreement on the product. This means other operators and trailer-makers will be able to buy the ground-coupling alternative for around £1,000. •