Physically, the conditions in the cargo hold are noticeable in that even in moderately cold conditions, the blood flow to arms and hands as well as legs and feet decreases as a natural protective reaction in order to reduce heat dissipation. However, this also reduces mobility, sensitivity and dexterity, which has a negative impact on both work safety and quality. Ergonomic studies have shown a 40 percent reduction in manual dexterity even when the temperature is reduced from 25 °C to 10 °C.

Low-energy and space-saving solutions required

However, radiant heaters get in the way in winter and are completely useless in summer. In summer, mere fans may provide cooling, but they are accompanied by unpleasant draughts and take up more space. Not to mention the danger of cables lying around. A solution is therefore needed that requires no floor space, consumes as little energy as possible, is easy to retrofit and provides a pleasant temperature in the cargo area in both summer and winter.

Arnold Magic Air was developed with this objective in mind. Mounted in the corner of the door, it draws pleasantly tempered air from the hall and transports it continuously into the truck. Using the principle of long throw nozzles, familiar from stadium ventilation for example, the air is drawn into the depths of the cargo space above the employees so that they are not in a draught and yet the cargo space is constantly cooled or heated. Thanks to the clever installation, the device is always ready for use and at the same time safely tidied away.

Easy to fit load compartment lighting

In addition to the right temperature, light is also a decisive factor for concentrated and safe work. A clear correlation between fatigue and performance and the level of lighting has been proven, which is also reflected in the number of accidents at work. However, as the loading area usually does not have its own lighting and semi-trailers in particular are too long to be sufficiently illuminated by normal hall lighting, it is usually too dark here. This problem can be counteracted by using the Arnold ramp light. It illuminates the loading area without glare and, like Magic Air, is mounted on the wall. Its cantilever arm makes it easy to position in the desired position. Thanks to LEDs, power consumption is kept to a minimum. This means that particularly complex or expensive solutions are not always necessary to achieve a noticeable increase in comfort and therefore performance in the "cargo space" workplace.

This article appeared in issue 3/2022.