The Netherlands: Automating the stacking of crates and boxes to reduce manual lifting in a vegetable growing company

Workers at the Dutch vegetable growing company Verdonk Broccoli were prone to develop MSDs, especially when lifting and stacking crates and boxes. To prevent MSDs and to reduce physical strain and manual lifting, palletisers were purchased. As a result, there are fewer health complaints and absences, and a 30% reduction in staff turnover. Verdonk Broccoli is one of the commended examples of the 15th Healthy Workplaces Good Practice Awards competition.