In its safety bulletin, the HSE referenced two incidents under the heading “Guidance to prevent waste and recycling workplace accidents”. It said: “The start of 2023 has seen a series of accidents in various parts of the waste and recycling sector, all are currently under investigation.
“Two of these accidents highlight what safety measures should be implemented if these activities are carried out.”
The HSE gives the type of accidents as involving people and vehicles; and a worker being caught in a refuse collection vehicle lift.
Vehicles
On the people and vehicles incident, the HSE said a worker at a waste transfer station was struck and killed by a 360 degree excavator and that: “Workplace transport is one of the leading causes of fatal and serious injuries in the waste and recycling sector.”
The sector is reminded by the HSE that: “If you operate vehicles on your site, you must ensure that you keep traffic routes safe and separate people from vehicles in the workplace.”
Further information is available in various HSE documents including:
- Safe Transport at Waste and Recycling Sites (.PDF)
- Hand Sorting of Recyclables With Vehicle Assistance (.PDF)
Bin lifts
On the incident with the refuse collection vehicle lifting equipment, the HSE explains that: “A worker was killed when he was caught and lifted into the hopper of a Refuse Collection Vehicle (RCV).”
Advice given is that: “If you operate RCVs you should review your systems of work, in particular when it is appropriate to use bin lift mechanisms in automatic mode.”
Further information is available, says the HSE, on automatic bin lifting equipment in the automatic bin lifting equipment on RCV’s guidance (.PDF)
Incidents
Fatal incidents reported on by letsrecycle.com this year include: Fatality at Manchester skip firm after vehicle collision and WISH urges operators with RCV bin lifting kit to review safety.
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