How Schneider Electric Newlog went further with MOTEN

At Schneider Electric Newlog, the group's largest distribution centre in Europe, MOTEN equipped an aerial platform operator with sensors for one day on site. Nearly 800 actions were analysed in one hour, and 19 improvements were identified for a workstation where no solution had yet been proposed.

The company

With 48,000 m² of warehouse space and 220 employees, Newlog is Schneider Electric's largest distribution centre in Europe. A global leader in energy management and automation, the group is strongly committed to preventing occupational risks and protecting the physical and mental health of its 128,000 employees.

The challenge

Despite many measures to prevent workplace accidents and musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), 80% of the issues encountered are described as “ergonomic”. The work involves picking parcels of highly variable or non-standard sizes, which makes solutions difficult to implement. The site's prevention teams were no longer making progress on these issues.

At the same time, the internal rating method had limitations:

• the analysis remains subjective and results vary from one person to another;
• the indicators rely solely on observing postures and only flag obvious issues (arms raised, trunk flexion, etc.).

How could they go further?

The solution

MOTEN combines muscle activity sensors with ergonomics consulting. In one day, the consultants visit the entire warehouse and measure the effort required at a workstation identified as a priority.

The aerial platform operator workstation was selected for this project, as no solution had been proposed so far. A volunteer operator was equipped with 4 sensors targeting the areas most at risk: the shoulders and the lower back. In one hour, nearly 800 actions were recorded during picking and put-away activities.

“Before, we relied on feelings and opinions, and many change requests went unheard. Thanks to the sensors, factual and scientific data allowed us to validate all of your proposed changes with my methods and process office. The goal is to repeat this approach by measuring the impact of the changes made to this workstation and analysing another workstation within 3 months.” Jean-François Bernard, Safety Environment and Real Estate Manager

The impact

By combining the analysis of data collected by MOTEN sensors with the expertise of our ergonomists, Schneider Electric Newlog identified 19 improvements for the aerial platform operator workstation.

Would you like to objectively assess the physical demands of a workstation in your organisation? Contact the MOTEN team.