Waste industry alert after nine deaths in eight weeks

Many of the deaths involved members of the public and seven of the incidents involved people being struck by vehicles. The nine deaths were all recorded between December 21 2005 and February 21 2006, and are all now subject to HSE investigations.

” The tragedy of these incidents must act as a stimulus for the industry to review its procedures “
– Paul Harvey, HSE
The Health and Safety Executive has now issued guidance on safety in waste and has called for the industry to “review its procedures”.

Commenting on the incidents, Paul Harvey, principle inspector of HSE's waste and recycling section, said: “The tragedy of these incidents must act as a stimulus for the industry to review its procedures, making sure that vehicle risks are properly controlled.

“Wherever possible pedestrians and vehicles should be segregated, paying special attention to transfer stations and sorting areas. Street collection activities need to address the risks to collection staff and other road and pavement users,” he said.

Mr Harvey also suggested that reversing aids such as mirrors, CCTV, detectors and beacons should be used to reduce risks, as well as reversing assistants to direct the vehicle and warn off the public.

The deaths being investigated are:

• February 21 2006 a fork lift truck operator crushed when the vehicle overturned at a scrap yard in Lowestoft, Suffolk
• February 16 2006, member of the public struck by refuse collection vehicle in Weybridge, Surrey
• February 2 2006 a member of the public was found dead inside a waste paper compacting machine in Birmingham
• February 2 2006 a waste picker was run over by a mechanical shovel at a recycling centre near Hartley-Witney, Hampshire
• January 30 2006 a member of the public was run over by a reversing bin lorry in Wigton, Cumbria
• January 30 2006 a refuse collector run over by his own vehicle whilst collecting household waste in Morpeth, Northumberland
• January 27 2006 a bulldozer driver died on a landfill site in Brogborough, Bedfordshire after becoming caught on his vehicle
• January 25 2006 a crane collapsed on a customer at a scrap yard in High Ongar, Essex
• December 21 2005 a refuse collector was hit by a car when collecting wheelie bins in Bournemouth.

The HSE has developed safety guidance for the waste industry alongside the Waste Industry Safety and Health Forum. The guidance can be viewed by clicking here .