What often appears not to follow is swift advice or action which might help prevent or reduce the likelihood of future incidents.
Over the past few months there have been a number of incidents involving waste vehicles, primarily refuse collection vehicles. The sheer number of these ought to prompt industry, councils, the Health and Safety Executive and other relevant authorities to at least sit round the table and see if there is any interim advice which can be offered in the wake of these incidents.
Many businesses in the waste sector, including local authorities, have made great strides in trying to make their vehicles safer with training, staff monitoring and the use of all sorts of safety equipment and warning measures. All feel the sense of regret at losses of life and injuries, whether or not their own organisation is involved.
Yet, accidents and incidents appear to be on the rise again. It is always difficult to ascertain exactly whether the incidents should count as fatalities or injuries linked to the waste sector, this remains a grey area and is one which the HSE have not managed to clarify. This may also be hindering the issuing of any relevant advice.
So, of course, safety regarding vehicles has to be paramount going forward and some input in case something is being missed would be welcome from the health and safety experts.
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