With HSE data reporting the waste and recycling workplace as high-risk when compared to other industries, it is crucial that businesses within the sector prioritise worker safety at all times.
The nature of the operational environment combined with the use of industrial equipment lends the sector to a wide range of risks that can and unfortunately do result in serious injury and even fatal accidents every year. It is essential that employers conduct thorough risk assessments and implement a robust safety culture alongside state of the art equipment and technology to ensure the working environment is as safe as possible.
Workplace injuries
Employers have both a legal and moral duty to ensure the health and safety of their employees and visitors. Serious injuries including fractures, dislocations and amputations are reported across a range of businesses every day in the UK so it is imperative employers take sufficient measures to mitigate dangers particularly in high risk industries such as waste and recycling.
According to HSE statistics (based on Labour Force Survey data), an estimated 4000 workers per year sustained an injury at work in the waste sector during the period 2013-2020. The research found that the risk of workplace injury within the sector was significantly higher than other industries at around 3.6%. While fatalities at work fell to five in 2019/20 compared to an average of nine per year in the previous five years, there is clearly much to be done to improve worker safety1. Falls from height, vehicle collisions, crushing incidents and fatal injuries are all too common so businesses must employ procedures and equipment to mitigate these risks at all times.
Movement of vehicles
Heavy machinery and vehicles form an essential part of any industrial operation but also pose a significant risk to workers. Every year, there are over 5,000 accidents reported in the UK across various sectors involving transport in the workplace, with around 50 of these resulting in death2. The risk of collision between pedestrians and vehicles provides one of the greatest threats to worker safety. Vehicles including shovel loaders, HGVs, excavators, forklift trucks and telescopic handlers are commonly used in the waste management sector and hold the potential for a diverse range of injuries if used incorrectly or when robust safety systems are not in place. Forklift trucks in particular represent a disproportionate number of such incidents. Forklifts are crucial to operational requirements but pose a real threat to workplace safety, with Britsafe reporting forklifts as the most dangerous form of workplace transport, accounting for 25% of workplace transport injuries in the UK3.
“Manufacturers of safety equipment should treat each company as individual”
In a busy work environment where staff and machinery operate in close proximity, maintaining situational awareness is crucial. Businesses must ensure both vehicle operators and pedestrians are protected through a combination of procedures, training and safety equipment. Innovative technologies that minimise the risk of collision including clearly marked danger zones, proximity warning and alert systems, 360° cameras, active RFID tags, and other interactive equipment provides an enhanced level of awareness to those working in close proximity to vehicles and plant machinery. Crossings and walkways can be made safer with highly visible signage, lighting and audible alarm systems and by employing automatic locking mechanisms, a smooth and safe continuation of operation is possible without the risk of collision.
One size doesn’t fit all
The approach to any investment in safety solution should be consultative with equipment designed and adapted where necessary to fully align with the needs of a business and its workforce. Rather than simply accepting a one size fits all approach, employers should engage with manufacturers and work collaboratively to find the most effective and safe solution for their business. Manufacturers of safety equipment should treat each company as individual, tailoring products where necessary to deliver optimum safety standards that can be maintained to provide long term protection for the business and its people.
Employers are obligated to meet general safety standards but how these are achieved is open to interpretation. The wide range of products and services available from suppliers to help deliver safe working practice can be overwhelming so it is important businesses identify what is best for their operation and specific circumstances. When it comes to safety, businesses shouldn’t be afraid to challenge manufacturers to adapt or develop safety solutions that fully meet the exacting requirements of the organisation and its staff. By working with suppliers collaboratively, the highest standard of safety can be achieved.
Related links
1HSE waste statistics in Great Britain 2020
2HSE health and safety statistics for Great Britain (2019/20)
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