Mildura business, GTS Freight Management, is a finalist in the prestigious WorkSafe Victoria Awards 2009.
The WorkSafe Victoria Awards recognise individuals and organisations that have made a significant contribution to improving health and safety in their workplace.
The design of the Load Restraint Trailer has earned the business its nomination in the category Best Design for Workplace Safety.
They are one of only two finalists in the category, which recognises individuals and organisations that have developed an innovation or invention that eliminates or significantly reduces a risk.
The Load Restraint Trailer provides a safe and efficient way to handle, load and secure pallets of stock.
Designed and developed primarily for use in the transport industry, it has removed the need for human contact associated with the tying-down and stacking of freight.
Once the loading of pallets by a forklift is completed, a scissor-lift behind the trailer pushes the pallets to the headboard, providing front-and-back load restraint.
The side curtains, with gates attached, are then hydraulically secured and the centre wall is moved towards the curtains, again hydraulically, securing the load to provide side-to-side load restraint.
The design of the Load Restraint Trailer, with its fully automated moveable walls, ensures freight stability while significantly reducing the risk of injuries caused by manual handling and working from heights.
WorkSafe’s Executive Director of Health and Safety, John Merritt said GTS Freight Management was selected from 118 applications received from across the state.
‘The achievements of the Awards finalists, who have used their ideas, innovations and initiative to make Victorian workers safer, are outstanding.
‘Everyone who has been nominated for an Award should be extremely proud.
‘Each has shown their commitment to achieving better health and safety outcomes. Whether it’s across industries or for a specific industry or workplace, it’s something to celebrate.’