Powering progress

Mail centres around the country are using new powered conveyors to improve how our colleagues open bags of mail ready for sorting. This will make plants more efficient.

At Jubilee mail centre, the new powered conveyors – among the 40 installed nationally since mid-April – are making it easier for operators to process and sort parcels.

Parcels are tipped onto incline conveyors so that the operator loading the conveyor does not have to lift above their head height.

The parcels are then brought up automatically to a manageable height so operators can sort them at a steady pace and without bending.

Tracked parcel operator Aman Sarai said: ‘It’s now much easier to empty the bags and sleeves. We can work at a better level and avoid aches and pains.’

Over in the parcel area, operator Kayalin Balakumar agreed. ‘We’re faster because the parcels come straight into our hands.

‘It’s easier to pick up individual packages and place them in the right section for sorting,’ she said.

‘After the first few hours and getting used to working differently, it became so much easier,’ added parcels operator Shashi Hans.

‘The place is much tidier and as soon as we arrive for our shift, everything is ready to go.’

Manager Maggie Koshuma uses team briefings and discussion sessions to improve the ways of working, which helped introduce the new conveyors.

‘We involved colleagues in the introduction of the conveyors and there have been big improvements in our through-put,’ she said.