HSE set to target local authority RCV usage

The work by the HSE comes as it reports a small percentage fall in the accident rate for 2006 compared to 2004 – full figures are to be released later this year.

Paul Harvey, principal inspector, told letsrecycle.com that the HSE is planning a number of initiatives in the coming months to keep up the pressure on health and safety performance in the recycling and waste sector.

He said: “There have been a lot of positives and especially in the private sector there is some good news. A lot of the private sector are showing good improvements.”

Mr Harvey noted that the HSE still had concerns about the health and safety performance in the private sector, especially among smaller businesses.

Attention

But, local authorities are to be given extra attention in the coming months, especially in terms of vehicle usage and in writing health and safety into contracts.

“We are putting together a strategy on procurement of contracts, and the management of these contracts with special regard to health and safety. We would like to see councils going out and choosing the most appropriate system for their circucmsances although we are not specifying the type of system.”

The work will also include advice on selecting the right contractor and also how to manage contractors when they are in place.

And, Mr Harvey emphasised that the HSE is willing “to give local authorities advice and point to what is most appropriate for their own circumstances.”

Coming soon from the HSE will be work on 'route risk assessment'. This will aim to improve safety on collection rounds and one aspect will be the importance of making sure that control measures are communicated to the driver and to relief drivers. “It is vital to get health and safety information into the cab,” said Mr Harvey. The approach could see health and safety control measures written out for each road that the vehicle passes down – publication is expected soon.

• The procurement links to health and safety will be discussed at a seminar in London “Designing Health and Safety into Procurement” on June 26, cost £80, at Glaziers Hall SE1, organised by the Environmental Services Association, tel: 020 7591 3205.