HGV Drivers: The Importance Of Sleep

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Sleep is arguably the most important factor in maintaining a healthy body and mind. Without it, our minds become sluggish, and our bodies weary. HGV drivers are often working long shifts and on the road for many hours, so it is crucial for their physical and mental health that they take breaks and get the sleep that they need during in-between and overnight stopovers.

 

Most adults need between 7–9 hours of sleep per night, according to the Sleep Council. Getting the right amount of rest is essential for our long-term health and mental performance, and when we don’t get enough over a consistent period, our overall alertness and concentration is badly affected. If we’re starved of sleep for long enough, the neurons in our brain stop functioning properly, leading to temporary mental lapses and reduced reaction times.

 

Sleep for the Body

Not getting enough sleep can seriously impair your health. In addition to the common side effects, a lack of sleep over a prolonged period of time can cause cardiovascular problems; lead to obesity and Type-2 diabetes; and reduce immune system functioning.

 

Getting plenty of high-quality sleep, on the other hand, is very healthy. Your body is getting enough time to heal damaged cells, lower your blood pressure, and boost your immune system as well as making sure it is properly regulated.

 

If you have any infections or feel ill, sleep is your body’s chance to do the repairs that it needs to do. Most of the physical benefits of sleep occur during NREM (non-rapid eye movement) sleep, which makes up around 75% of your total sleep.

 

Sleep for the Mind

Sleep is also directly related to your mood, and in the long term, to your mental health. If you don’t get enough sleep for one or two nights, you may notice yourself getting grumpy and irritable. Lack of sleep over long periods can be a factor in depression in anxiety.

 

The other type of sleep is REM (rapid eye movement) sleep. This makes up around 25% of total sleep. You may already know that it is during this time that we dream, even if you don’t remember having one. Dreams help us to process our emotions, memories and reduce the stresses of the day. It’s important to get a good night’s sleep so that you get time in both NREM and REM sleep. This way, your body and mind can recover fully, and you will wake up the next day feeling refreshed.

 

Staying Safe

Not getting enough sleep affects your ability to perform physical and mental tasks. After a bad night’s sleep, you may notice that you have difficulty with concentration, as well as absorbing and processing information. If you drive for a living, it’s especially important that you get a good night’s sleep, falling asleep at the wheel or even driving drowsy could have serious repercussions. A report by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety shows that drivers who only got 5-6 hours of sleep (as opposed to the optimal 7-9 hours) were 1.9 times more likely to be involved in an accident than those who got 7 hours sleep or more. Those who got less than 4 hours sleep were 11.5 times more likely to be in an accident.

 

What Can You Do to Improve Your Sleep Habits?

When it comes to getting enough sleep, there’s only so much an employer can do. As a driver, you have a personal responsibility to be well-rested on the job and must do what you can to try and get the best sleep possible.

 

If you are struggling to get the recommended amount of sleep, then there are a number of things that can help:

 

Optimising sleeping environment: Blackout blinds or curtains can be especially helpful for shift workers.

Ensuring bedding is comfortable: A mattress should support the hips and spine completely, and a pillow should keep the neck in alignment with the body. Natural-fibre bed linen can also help keep the body cool at night.

Consider a daylight lamp: Daylight lamps can boost natural waking. They’re especially useful for shift workers, who may need to get up at night.

Reduce blue light before bed: The blue light on our phones and computers interferes with the body’s circadian rhythm, so electricals should be swapped for a book at least an hour before bed.

Learn more about your unique sleep pattern: We’re all different, so you should pay attention to your own unique needs. For instance, some people can fall asleep very easily, while other people are more sensitive to caffeine, alcohol or certain foods, which can keep them awake. You need to know your own body and try to avoid things you know will keep you up.

Maintain the rhythm: It is also important to maintain your sleep habits whilst at home or on days off. This will make it easier to get the correct amount of sleep when you return to work and avoid having to reintroduce yourself to a certain sleep pattern.

 

If all these measures fail, or you should feel tired on the road, you should drink some caffeine and take a short nap which can provide a burst of energy during a long shift. Studies have shown napping after caffeine can boost your energy more than normal upon waking. You should also know what you can do if a lack of sleep is becoming a problem, including reporting it to your manager and seeking medical treatment.

 

If you have any other tips or tricks for a better nights sleep you’d like to share, please let us know on Twitter or LinkedIn, we’d love to hear from you.  To read more of our blogs, click here.

 

 

Warehousing and Automation: The Benefits

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Automation is a powerful tool and comes in many shapes and forms. In warehousing, automation is generally used to improve existing methods by increasing efficiency, speed, reliability, accuracy and (eventually) cost savings.

 

Robotics in manufacturing has been well established for many years and applications within warehouse operations will become more mainstream. We’ve compiled a list of pros for modern warehouse solutions.

 

PROS

  • Modern warehouse automation technologies are more flexible and scalable compared to older automation solutions like conveyors, which are bulky and fixed in place.

 

  • Warehouse operators can rent additional robots to accommodate increased demand during peak season, returning them when demand returns to normal.

 

  • Collaborative mobile robots also don’t require infrastructure changes, unlike conveyor systems, so they’re easier to implement.

 

  • Space optimisation is another benefit of warehouse automation, allowing warehouses to maximize the use of vertical space by storing items in higher locations that are typically difficult for warehouse operatives or forklifts to reach. Drones, cranes and some AS/RS solutions make it easier to access these higher storage locations, so warehouses can monetize more cubic feet.

 

  • Many automated and robotic systems are well developed, and it is often a case of establishing suitability of the technology within the logistics operation.

 

  • The potential flexibility of some of the robotic technologies may reduce the risks traditionally viewed with large automated systems.

 

  • Robotics will no longer be the domain of just the larger businesses who have driven much of the development to date. Some of these robotic solutions can be adapted and utilised in a small traditional warehouse to support existing staff.

 

 

WAREHOUSING TECHNOLOGY TRENDS 2021

Many warehouse operations have some form of mechanised material handling solutions to improve productivity; forklift trucks, conveyors, sorters, product to picker systems to automatic storage and retrieval systems (ASRS). The easier jobs in the warehouse have always been the quick wins for automation.

 

Pallet stacking robots and robot de-layering are well established undertaking repetitive tasks that can be mechanised reasonably easily.

 

Collaborative robots are becoming increasingly common directly supporting human activity such as independent load carrying robots that can move a completed pallet to a loading bay determining their own route through a warehouse.

 

Piece picking robots are another area of development, with the ability to move around a warehouse and pick items from shelves at multiple levels using an extendable arm with grip and sucker technology. They will become more sophisticated as they are developed for differing operations in conjunction with AI.

 

Other systems are based upon the product to picker concept. These robots sequence the product presentation, usually the shelving unit and appropriate pick shelf to the pick station, reducing picker travel time, improving pick productivity and space utilisation.

 

Here at Barnes, we maintain 50,000 sqft of modern racked warehousing which uses wire guided VNA trucks to maximise efficiency of space. We also have a bespoke Warehouse management system that allows us to track product location whilst on site. We also offer pick and pack operations, as well as full pallet movements to fit your needs.

 

Investing in the right warehouse automation solutions could be a smart financial decision. With technology ever evolving more trends will come and go so keep your eye on the world of warehouse automation.

 

Get in touch to find out how our warehouse solutions can support your business.

 

 

Looking After Your Mental Health As An HGV Driver

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2020 and 2021 have been difficult so far – especially for our HGV drivers who have been working tirelessly throughout this pandemic. Furthermore, Monday 18th January has been dubbed as “Blue Monday”, the most ‘depressing’ day of the year. At The Barnes Group, we recognise the importance of looking after your mental health as well as your physical health and aim to make next Monday just another day of the week.

Here’s some of our advice on how to take care of your mental health as an ever-important HGV driver.

Brew Up & Have Conversations

Instead of recognising “Blue Monday”, the Samaritans are running a campaign called “Brew Monday” which encourages us to enjoy a relaxing cup of tea, coffee or any drink you choose and have a virtual conversation with a friend, family member or co-worker. A problem shared is a problem halved and talking out issues can really help to clear your head, even if there isn’t something specific bothering you. You can find out more about Brew Monday on the Samaritans website.

Keep Active Responsibly

In between drives be sure to take a few moments to get a few steps in and some fresh air in the lungs. Moderate exercise is clinically proven to be a mood booster, it stimulates the production of endorphins, that are chemicals in the brain that are the body’s natural painkillers and mood elevators. Remember to exercise responsibly in line with government guidelines.”

Switch Off, Wind Down

A consistent flow of negative news and tension is no good for mental health, so you may want to switch off your smartphones and even your TV for a few hours a day to get a well-needed break. Instead, why not enjoy a good book or some light exercise? Even taking just a small amount of time away from screens can have such a positive impact on your mental health. A great time to practice this might be the time between when you return home from work and going to bed. Try it and see if it makes a difference.

Take A Look At Your Diet

If you’re feeling a bit off, it might be worth taking a look at your diet and seeing where some changes can be made. Cutting back on added sugar can help keep your blood sugar levels stable, which can help balance your energy levels throughout the day. Magnesium has been shown to help alleviate headaches and fatigue too, which can help improve your overall mood. As an HGV driver, why not try bulk cooking healthy lunches to enjoy on your breaks whilst on the road. You can find out more about what foods to eat, and what to avoid, to manage stress by clicking here.

Appreciate The Outdoors

As an HGV driver, you’ll be on the road a lot and also have the chance to get outdoors too. Just being outside, especially when the sun is shining, is proven to boost both your serotonin and endorphin levels, both of which are known as “happy hormones”. Where you can, take a minute to breathe in the fresh air and embrace mindfulness.

There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to looking after your mental health as an HGV driver, but one of the most important things is knowing where you can find additional resources should you need them. Here are just some of the organisations that we’d recommend for more information…

Mind | https://www.mind.org.uk/ | 0300 123 3393

Samaritans | https://www.samaritans.org/ | 116 123

OCD UK | www.ocduk.org | 0333 212 7890

Anxiety UK | www.anxietyuk.org.uk | 03444 775 774

CALM | www.thecalmzone.net | 0800 58 58 58

Men’s Health Forum | https://www.menshealthforum.org.uk/beatstress.uk

 

NHS | https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/stress-anxiety-depression/mental-health-helplines

 

If you have any more advice you’d like to share, please let us know on Twitter or LinkedIn, we’d love to hear from you.

Logistics Services: How Investing in Roads Can Help

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Logistics services are an important element of a successful supply chain that helps to increase the sales and profits of businesses that deal with the production, shipment, warehousing and delivery of goods worldwide. A reliable logistics service can not only boost the economic strength of any business but also help to maintain a positive public image.

It is therefore imperative that this service is able to operate as effectively and efficiently as possible and that is hugely reliant on the improvement and maintenance of UK roads. In August, Highways England unveiled the details of plans for a £27.4 billion investment in the strategic road network across the country.

They promise to deliver £14 billion of projects improving the quality, capacity and safety of the motorways and major A roads that have helped keep the country going during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The UK’s road network is a vital part of everyone’s life. It continues to serve the country well during the ongoing pandemic, keeping supermarket shelves stocked and enabling key workers to get where they need to be.

However, operations can only continue to run smoothly if proper funds are injected into the maintenance and improvement of this country’s roads. Over the next five years, Highways England plan to increase capacity where it is most needed and continue to upgrade more of the network which has suffered from decades of under-investment.

Improved roads could mean an easier drive for many hauliers. Less instances of acceleration and deceleration due to the lack of potholes, narrow roads and maintenance vehicles will mean a decrease in the level of fuel consumed during transport. If routes were more efficient or roads were improved, vehicles would produce less emissions. Not only would this lead to cheaper overall costs in terms of fuel but it would also contribute to the management of future environmental damage.

Further improvements will lead to a decreased need for maintenance on vehicles. Many roads have cracks that are just waiting to turn into dangerous potholes that could potentially cause collisions. Local roads where hauliers make their last-mile deliveries are often in an even worse state and the damage to HGVs – in particular, to their suspension systems – can have quite an impact. Resurfacing those roads would incur less damage to hauliers and other road users.

More potholes mean more breakdowns, more roadworks and more delays. These delays for a ‘just-in-time’ industry can be disastrous. Faster travel times with less obstacles and more efficient routes would make journeys faster and more reliable for haulage companies across the UK.

The FTA reports that improving the country’s roads is the most important thing politicians can do to support an efficient logistics industry. Implementing seamless logistics is a key element in keeping pace with consumer demands and outperforming competitors. In 2018, over 193 billion tonne kilometres of domestic freight was moved within the UK, of which 79% was transported by road. If these transport routes are not kept in tip-top shape, these figures will only decrease.

Share your view on this countries’ roads and the difference proper investment would make, on our Twitter or LinkedIn. You can also follow us for regular updates on the logistics industry as well as information on our logistics and warehousing services.

For more Barnes blogs, click here.

“Just In Time Logistics” – Why Should You Use It?

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Here at The Barnes Group, we specialise in Just In Time Logistics (JIT) – designed to make use of precise timings, ensuring maximum efficiency.  This type of logistics allows for goods to be re-stocked and distributed before they are sold.  Our highly trained warehouse operatives keep our warehouses running smoothly, allowing for efficient logistics targets to be met.

 

Through the clever calculation of lead times and reducing the cost of carrying extra stock inventory, JIT provides a desirable method to create more streamlined lead times and less money spent on inventory costs.

 

JIT is well thought of as a cost saving method – reducing the amount of inventory that is needed through the supply chain.  This is otherwise known as the pull-method, where goods are produced at each stage, but only when they are required at the next stage.  This process also prevents wastage caused by defective products, as every output is monitored before moving on to the next stage in the supply chain.

 

An optimised supply chain will help to deliver stock to customers in a timely manner, a strategy that spends as little money as possible.  In turn, a streamlined supply chain will have a positive effect on customer satisfaction.  Keeping down costs, reducing waste and keeping customers happy?  JIT is certainly worth considering.

 

Here at The Barnes Group, we run a successful JIT strategy, that is well synchronised at every stage – helping to compress time and reduce cost for customers.  With JIT, you have a faster turnaround on stock, therefore there is less of a need for so much warehouse or storage space.  This frees up cost for spending on other aspects of a business.

 

For smaller companies, JIT is ideal for inventory management, as the process doesn’t require the purchase of large amounts of stock in one go.  This logistics strategy instead, is economical and promotes a healthy cash flow for a business.

 

If you’re looking to introduce Just In Time logistics into your business plan, get in touch with The Barnes Group today on 0161 684 3070, to find out how our strategies can help to make your company more economical and reduce waste.

 

 

International Women’s Day with The Barnes Group

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As part of our nod to International Women’s Day, we’ve taken the opportunity to talk to our very own Karen Cusick about her role at The Barnes Group, her career journey and her advice to other women considering joining the sector.

  • What is your job title at The Barnes Group and where are you based?

I’m an HR Manager at The Barnes Group and I’m based in Rochdale. 

  • How did you come to work in the logistics industry?

Purely by chance – the company was located near to my home.

  • How has your background helped influence your career at The Barnes Group?

My previous role was managerial. When I joined the company there were no female employees. My influence on the company definitely opened opportunities for more female employee roles.

  • What would you advise to other women who might be looking to venture into the world of logistics?

Go for it, it’s not a man’s world! 

  • What woman inspires you the most?

No one specifically but women who have the ability to run a household, look after children and also work full time are certainly inspiring. 

  • What have you learned on your career journey?

To keep fighting for what you believe in.

Women are already in the world of logistics; they just need to stand up a little taller!

Here’s to Karen and the role she plays here at The Barnes Group – if you’re interested in a career at The Barnes Group, click here.

 

Behind Barnes: A Day In The Life Of An HR/Administrator Assistant

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For our latest ‘Behind Barnes’ blog, we caught up with HR/Administrator Assistant, Laura Tomlinson.  We asked her about her career journey, what her role entails at The Barnes Group and the advice she has for other people looking to work in HR.

What does your role at The Barnes Group entail?

I work alongside Karen the HR Manager for Barnes Group. I assist her and others in the office to ensure the working day runs a little more smoother for everyone. I ensure all checks are up to date on each driver, that we have all the required documents that we need for ourselves and our supplies. One of the checks is to ensure all licences are in date and audit checks have been completed, alongside our health declarations.

Can you tell us about your career journey, how did you get your job at The Barnes Group?

I was at my previous job for 2 years, which was a personal injury firm. Where I built myself up to senior admin assistant, I was in charge alongside the manager of the whole admin team and general running of the office – based in Manchester city centre.

I applied for the job at Barnes due to my extensive office experience and dealing with difficult and different scenarios every day.  The HR side of the role was the part that appealed to me the most, the growth aspect and the possibilities the company could provide for me. Also finding a company that has ambition to reach each goal they set, to be bigger and better each year!

What does a typical day (or week!) look like for you?

On a typical day, I am handling a number of tasks to ensure the company runs smoothly for the following day:

  1. Each day I upload Optac downloads, this being what the drivers use to download their card to prove they have completed work
  2. Populate Fri, Sat, Sun and enter hours for wages for each region
  3. Opening letters and handing out to the relevant people
  4. Creating and sending POs
  5. Check wage reports
  6. HR Electronic and manual filing
  7. Unit checks
  8. Check DBS report for out of date certificates

What would you recommend to others looking to join the industry?

I would recommend others who are looking in to going into a HR industry to go for it, if you have experience even just in admin!  I was quite lucky and fell into this career path but I enjoy my work. The HR industry is fast paced, challenging and good problem solving skills are crucial.

I love the opportunity to make people’s working lives better, even in a small way.  The variety of work that comes into the department each day. We work with everything from recruitment, benefits, pay administration and workforce development. It keep you on your toes and mind challenged.

Behind Barnes: A Day In The Life Of A Transport Planner

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We recently caught up with our very own Ben Alker, Transport Planner here at The Barnes Group to find out about his career journey and what a typical day looks like for a Transport Planner like Ben.

  1. What does your role as a Transport Planner entail?

I deal with the day to day operational running of the drivers and I plan each individual drivers’ day, including the organisation of what sites they are going to and where they are delivering. I monitor the drivers once they are on the road and advise customers if drivers are going to run into any delays.  Adhering to driving rules and regulations is something I have to carefully monitor every day to make sure drivers and vehicles are sent on the road legally.

  1. Can you tell us about your career journey, how did you get your job at The Barnes Group?

I have 2 years previous experience working in the transport/haulage industry, working for Eddie Stobart. I enjoy the transport industry as I find it challenging and no two days are the same. I wanted to progress in the transport industry and build on the knowledge I already previously obtained.

  1. What does a typical day (or week!) look like for you?

A typical day for me would be to complete a plan for the following day. This would mean I have to make sure all our load requirements are confirmed and on the system. This is then followed by allocating a suitable driver and unit. Dependant on the day this can be a challenge and we may have to call in additional support from agency drivers in the local area.  After we plan for the following day, we monitor the current drivers that are on the road, constantly feeding back any problems we foresee to customers and drivers.

  1. What would you recommend to others looking to join the industry?

I would recommend for people to go for it, if they are looking to get into the transport industry.  I was quite lucky and fell into this career path, but I enjoy my work. This industry is fast-paced, challenging and good problem-solving skills are always crucial.

 

To find out more information on working life at The Barnes group, click here.

Gender Equality – How Can We Make The Logistics Sector A More Welcoming Place?

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The logistics industry is typically male dominated, with female employees making up just 2% of the global sector. However, at Barnes Logistics we don’t see it as so. Women in varied positions make up a large chunk of our valued workforce, and we are always invested in encouraging more women into logistics.

How can we make logistics a more welcoming industry for all genders?

Altering perceptions

Logistics typically has the stereotype of being a ‘man’s line of work’. For example, when picturing a delivery driver, one might typically picture a male. The same goes for those working within warehouses. Of course, this illustration doesn’t paint a modern picture, and the industry has seen a vast transformation. Nevertheless, the stereotypes still seem to linger to this day.

To make the logistics sector a more welcoming and inclusive place for all, we need to rid ourselves of stereotypes and start recognising this industry as an opportunistic place to work that welcomes people of varying ages, genders, race and so forth. Altering dated stereotypes can help to change perceptions, and so the rest will follow suit as more women feel encouraged to start a career in logistics.

Speaking to all audiences

Due to the nature of the logistics sector, this could leave other genders that don’t typically confirm with the ‘male’ stereotype, anxious about approaching the industry, not least looking to work within it.

Organisations such as Women In Logistics, who are part of the CILT and currently have over 4000 members, are doing tremendous work in encouraging varying genders into the industry. However, there’s always more that we can be doing.

Pledging to alter perceptions is one thing, but what can be done

Another way to make the logistics industry more inclusive and welcoming could be to host open days. Focusing these on female-friendly working environments could be a great way for the logistics sector to pull together and make the entire industry a more welcoming and equal place for all.

Shifting the focus from young people to women

The logistics industry is very focused on recruiting fresh new talent into their pool, which of course is inclusive to young women too. But in order to make the sector more welcoming in the name of gender equality, something could certainly be done to place more emphasis on attracting and hiring young female talent through school visits, open days and strategic targeted marketing. Organisations like Think Logistics could be utilised in this way, they were created to “bridge the gap between young people looking for a rewarding career and logistics companies looking for talented individuals capable of moving the industry forward.” If such organisations can gear their efforts towards young women, then the sector could begin to see real change.

What are your thoughts? Let us know on Twitter.

Barnes on: The Importance of Logistics

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Can you ever imagine what life would be like without the convenience of next day delivery?  Or perhaps you were hoping an item in your favourite shop was getting restocked so you could buy it during your next trip to your local high street but to no avail?  Imagine that suddenly, multiple people are reporting that their goods have not been delivered on time or supermarkets are not receiving their regular orders.  This is certainly a scenario that may not be out of the ordinary, reflecting a future, where the driver shortage has gone too far and put an obstacle in the smooth-running of the UK’s supply chain.    

It is without a doubt that logistics and professional drivers are the lifeblood for not only the UK supply chain but also the economy.  This was strengthened by a recent statement from the FTA’s Peter Snelling who said that “Over 90% of everything the public eat, drink, wear and build with travels on an HGV at some point in the supply chain.” 

In light of the current difficulties that the industry is facing, specifically the skills gap and the uncertainty presented by Brexit, logistics operators and HGV drivers are still working hard to meet the needs of customers and keeping shops stocked.  The upcoming deadline of Brexit is expected to worsen the situation as restrictions will be put in place, affecting international workers in the UK. 

In the 2019 Logistics Report, it was cited that 15% of HGV driver vacancies are not being filled because of the current skills shortage; which begs the question of how much longer the industry can keep its head above the parapet?  It is imperative that changes are made.  

The industry is facing an ageing workforce with a small number of young entrants, which is partly down to the lack of education on career paths.  It is important now more than ever to change young people’s perceptions and correct any misconceptions.  Statistics from the FTA advise that only 1% of HGV drivers are under the age of 25, with the average age of a driver being 53 years old and the over 50s age group represent 47% of all drivers.  

The FTA has advised the Government to reform the Apprenticeship Levy and replace it with a new Training Levy, leading to more opportunities for vocational training, as well as ensuring the upskilling of the UK’s workforce. 

There can often be expectation for school pupils to access the career paths, what has become over the past decade, the ‘traditional’ way through university.  The importance of professional driving jobs needs to be conveyed as they contribute to the success of the UK’s supply chain.  The Government could certainly use its platform to raise awareness of jobs in the logistics industry.  

Clarity on Brexit is needed, and it is the country’s political and trade uncertainties that has initially affected the number of drivers from the EU working in the UK.  We need to see a change in the industry and great urgency is needed to break out of the ageing workforce to keep the supply chain afloat. 

What do you think can be done?  Let us know your thoughts on Twitter @Barnes_Logistic.

OUR ACCREDITATIONS

 

Contact Details

Tel: 0161 684 3070
Email: admin@barneslogistics.com

About us

Barnes Logistics’ fleet operates from more than seven sites across the country and supports a nationwide client base.

Our Service

We supply ‘just in time’ logistics support and warehousing to businesses across the UK.

Registered Office

Barnes Logistics Ltd
Cowm Top Lane
Rochdale
OL11 2RG