A health expert has warned that some refuse workers may be at risk of too much exposure to bioaerosols when collecting organic waste from households.
Speaking at the Organic Recycling Groups health and safety conference at JCB in Rocester yesterday (July 17), Dr Peter Sykes associate dean at Cardiff Metropolitan University, explained that initial work to date had indicated the potential for risk and that research was ongoing. And, he added thatmore research was needed to determine the big hits in terms of exposure in the waste sector.
A range speakers and delegates saw an exhibition of JCB and other equipment at the ORG event – the ORG is part of the Renewable Energy Association.
Bioaerosols
Bioaerosols, a collection of biological particles including, fungi and bacteria, are made airborne by the shredding and screening of organic waste and were also a prominent talking point at last years conference in Stockport (see letsrecycle.com story).
However, Dr Sykes hinted that the risk may extend beyond the treatment process when asked by an Essex county council officer, Nicole Walton, if collection crews could be susceptible to bioaerosol exposure.
Ms Walton – who deals with 12 local authorities that collect food waste – explained that concerns had been raised that collection crews were vulnerable to spores growing on food waste such as bread. The authority offers separate kitchen caddy collections of food waste.
Dr Sykes said: While we havent published anything yet, we have been undertaking a study of waste collections. This work is very much in its infancy and further work is needed to accurately determine whether waste collectors are subject to too much exposure.
‘This work is very much in its infancy and further work is needed to accurately determine whether waste collectors are subject to too much exposure.’
Dr Peter Sykes, Cardiff Metropolitan University
The concerns follow a report published by Zero Waste Scotland earlier this month that suggested health risks to crews could be reduced by bagging residual waste and collecting biodegradable waste separately (see letsrecycle.com story).
Machinery
Meanwhile, Viridor regional compliance manager Alan Cook also took to the podium to offer advice on suitable practice when handling dangerous machinery on waste sites.
Mr Cook delivered a frank speech on the dangers inherent in operating machinery with a collection of videos and stills that reinforced what can happen if operators do not invest in fixed, interlocking and adjustable, and two-hand control protective guarding.
He said: Machines are indiscriminate whether its you or your target material. You will end up in bits. Unfortunately with outside contractors, they dont always check all the control mechanisms because they feel they are familiar with the work.
‘Commercial clash’
In his closing remarks at the event, Agrivert chief executive Alexander Maddan who chaired the conference praised the speakers for their transparency but feared health and safety issues were sometimes distorted by commercial interests.
He added: This is a very public and open subject and there should be no commercial secrets. The Renewable Energy Association is in the process of putting together a biogas alert to help operators understand the risks such as explosions and leaks.
However, there is a commercial clash with firms thinking they are giving too much information away. Thats a culture we need to defeat.
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