Menzies Aviation is a global provider of ground handling, cargo handling and fuelling services, operating at 347 locations across 65 countries and handling around 29,000 aircraft every week. With a workforce of 65,000 carrying out demanding ramp and cargo operations, hand injuries are among their most consistent risks.
This is how Traffi supported Menzies in reducing hand injury risk at Manchester Airport and improving glove adoption.
Edwin Achuism, Safety, Security & Environmental Officer at Menzies Aviation
A Menzies employee injured their fingers after a task, having not been wearing gloves. Feedback showed the existing gloves offered inadequate protection, came in confusing colours and sizes, and were often removed for touchscreens or discarded soon after issue.
Menzies approached Traffi via supplier Heathbrook Workwear Solutions. Following a toolbox talk and glove audit, Traffi recommended the TG5545. It performed well in trials and was adopted across the site for its touchscreen compatibility, dexterity and range of sizes.
Traffi's carbon neutral gloves also support Menzies' sustainability goals. The LXT range is carbon neutral from cradle to gate, so it does not contribute to the company's carbon footprint, aligning with the plan and a net zero commitment by 2045. In the eight months following the switch at Manchester Airport, no hand injuries were reported.
A Menzies employee injured their fingers while carrying out a task and, after investigation, it emerged the ramp agent had not been wearing their gloves. Menzies expressed concern over their existing safety gloves, and feedback from operatives identified several issues.
The gloves were not providing adequate protection; operatives were uncertain which to select, as previous gloves came in different colours and sizes; gloves were removed to use touchscreens, leaving hands unprotected; they were seen as a hindrance; and were often discarded soon after issue.
Menzies approached Traffi through its supplier, Heathbrook Workwear Solutions. Feedback on the Traffi colour system was positive, as it aligned with Menzies' own system for defining risk. The three-colour TraffiSystem shows what cut protection a glove offers, even from a distance, reducing confusion about which glove to choose for each task.
Traffi began with a toolbox talk, which was well received and highlighted the importance of wearing safety gloves. Following a glove audit, Traffi recommended the TG5545, which performed well in trials and was adopted across the site.
A toolbox talk on the importance of hand protection
Alignment with Menzies' existing red, amber, green risk system
A glove audit to match protection to task
Glove trials before site-wide adoption of the TG5545
The TG5545 was chosen for its touchscreen compatibility, high level of dexterity and wide range of sizes, directly answering the concerns operatives had raised. By involving workers from the outset, Traffi helped Menzies improve both the suitability of the gloves and their adoption across the site.
In the eight months following the switch to Traffi gloves at Manchester Airport, no hand injuries were reported. The Menzies team were pleased with the results and continue to work with Traffi on their hand protection programme.
Menzies is a signatory of the UN Global Compact, and its All-In plan aligns with seven UN Sustainable Development Goals, including net zero across scopes 1, 2 and 3 by 2045. Traffi's LXT range is carbon neutral from cradle to gate, supporting these goals.
Traffi’s support has been incredible, not to mention the high quality of the gloves. Additionally, the toolbox talk was really enlightening and helped our workers to understand the need to wear hand protection.
