As part of the trial, each of Swissport’s Melbourne airport employees will be offered a small (30 x 50 x 10mm) lightweight SoterSpine device to clip to their collar to measure body movements and force. The wearer is alerted when he or she makes a high-risk ergonomic movement; this allows the operative to immediately change their technique to avoid injury. At the end of each shift, the worker can then access a 3-5-minute personalised improvement programme with a virtual coach delivered by mobile app.
Swissport's General Manager Systems and Safety Pacific, Lincoln Butler, said that he believes wearable technology such as SoterSpine will be a major influence on safe behaviour in manual handling. “We have seen what fitness trackers and smart watches have done for engaging people in their own general well-being and fitness, and I expect this type of simple, effective device will help drive more preventative behaviour at work,” he said.
