The visits are part of a two-and-a-half year programme that officials hope will lead to councils taking more account of health and safety when deciding on new kerbside recycling systems.
” The purpose of this is to stimulate councils into being more aware of the risks in carrying out risk assessments as they put in kerbside collection systems. “
– HSE
HSE officers have a target to visit 50% of local authorities under the programme, looking into possible hazards to recycling staff in systems using various containers including wheeled bins, recycling boxes and bags.
Some of the aspects officers will be looking at could include potential strains related to lifting as well as noise generated on emptying containers.
Guidance
Speaking to letsrecycle.com, a spokesman for the HSE stressed that it would not be for the Executive to tell councils which kind of kerbside container to use. Instead, the work will provide guidance for authorities to take account of risks involved in different systems.
The HSE spokesman said: “The purpose of this is to stimulate councils into being more aware of the risks in carrying out risk assessments as they put in kerbside collection systems. Each system has its own hazards and risk profile, but it is not for us to tell them what is the best method – it depends on their own individual circumstances.”
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The spokesman explained that, for example, wheeled bins might have different safety concerns to kerbside boxes, but would never be appropriate for high rise flats.
Additionally, the HSE said it had commissioned a study “that will look into the risks of each form” of container used in kerbside recycling services.
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