One of the fastest growing sectors in the UK, the industry also has one of the worst health and safety records. Between 2001 and 2004 the rate of fatal injuries in recycling and waste was almost 28 for every 100,000 employees. The number of fatal incidents is over ten times the national average in the waste sector, and almost six times worse than the construction industry.
 The HSE's new recycling and waste site seeks to reduce injury levels in the sector |
The HSE has now launched a website at www.hse.gov.uk/waste to raise awareness of prevention measures for some of the major causes of accidents and injuries.
Trevor Hay, who chairs the Waste Industry Safety and Health forum (WISH), said: “Sadly, the waste and recycling industry compares unfavourably with most other industries in its health and safety performance. This new site is designed to help the industry improve its performance and because it is so easy to get to and to use, effort will not be wasted.”
Most incidents that occur in the sector involve either manual handling injuries, slips and trips or being struck by objects. Accidents involving transport and exposure to bioaerosols are also a significant problem in the sector.
Unacceptable
James Barrett, head of the HSE's manufacturing sector, said: “Of all the industries HSE monitors, the waste management and recycling industry has the highest fatal accident rate, figures that are well above both the construction industry and agriculture. This is simply unacceptable.
“The industry itself must take steps to instil effective health and safety management and develop a sensible health and safety culture.”
On the information page of the site, the HSE has provided links to guidance for a range of issues relevant to the waste sector, including how to reduce the risks, using skip loaders and sheeting tipper lorries, manual handling and avoiding falls from vehicles. There is also a section of information specifically for the metal recycling sector and for those dismantling vehicles.
For more information on improving health and safety in the recycling and waste sector, see the HSE waste website.
Register for free to comment