Waste sector well-placed to respond to new HSE strategy

Speaking after the launch of the 18-page document earlier this month (June 3), Chantal Nicholls told letsrecycle.com that, despite the strategy being without any specific industry focus, the sector was prominent in the HSE's priorities.

The HSE publication, entitled ‘Be part of the solution', calls on all industries to continue to improve health and safety performance, be aware of a wide range of risks from new sectors and new technologies, engage with workforces to improve competence and challenge the notion that health and safety means “unnecessary bureaucracy and excuse for not doing things”.

Ms Nicholls said: “If you look at what the strategy is calling for the industry is well placed to respond in number of aspects. Most notably the Waste Industry Safety and Health forum, which provides clear leadership and direction, is generating guidance to help create healthier, safer workplaces; and recognises the need for a competent workforce and the importance of involving them.”

“And, taking a wider perspective, WISH recognises that improved health and safety cannot be delivered in isolation from other pressures, for example, environmental and recycling targets, and therefore there is a clear need to work together to find integrated solutions and to strike the balance in terms of sensible risk management,” she added.

Goals 

Ms Nicholls, who took over the post of Principal Inspector from Paul Harvey in April, claimed that waste and recycling was capable of achieving the goals of the strategy despite its history of high incidents.

At present, the number of fatal accidents in the waste and recycling industry is more than 10 times the national average and reportable accidents in these workplaces are more than four times the national average – statistics which make working in the industry one of the most dangerous jobs in the UK.

Ms Nicholls added: “Another important work stream is work to influence the performance of local authorities, in particular looking at their management of waste collection services, whether delivered in-house or contracted out, right through from the start of the procurement process through to monitoring of the delivery of the service”.

The HSE intends to launch guidance on the collections at a number of events around the country directed specifically at local authorities towards the end of this work year, with a proposed date of January to March 2010 being touted.

Plans to publish guidance aimed at local authorities comes one month after the HSE urged councils to take into account health and safety concerns through the whole process of tendering waste and recycling collection contracts and to not comprise in favour of best value (see letsrecycle.com story).