According to an article this week on LETS RECYCLE, The waste and recycling industry needs to “step up to the plate” if it is to see an improvement in health and safety, according to Wayne Williams, inspector for the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
The call for action comes after a ‘bad year’ so far for the industry after it was revealed that 14 people were killed in waste and recycling related incidents between April 2012 and January 2013. Ten of the deceased worked for the industry while four of the fatalities were members of the public.
The waste sector is being urged to take action to reduce the number of incidents
The number of people working for the waste industry who have died so far in 2012/13 is double that of 2011/12 when five workers died.
The call for action comes after a ‘bad year’ so far for the industry after it was revealed that 14 people were killed in waste and recycling related incidents between April 2012 and January 2013. Ten of the deceased worked for the industry while four of the fatalities were members of the public.
The waste sector is being urged to take action to reduce the number of incidents
The number of people working for the waste industry who have died so far in 2012/13 is double that of 2011/12 when five workers died.
Gauntlet
Speaking to letsrecycle.com on January 16th Mr Williams said 2012/13 has been a bad year for health and safety in the waste industry, which is still lagging behind other industries in terms of performance. In a bid to reduce the number of incidents.
Mr Williams added: “At the end of the day it is with the industry to pick up the gauntlet and demonstrate that they are taking it seriously and moving forwards.”
Speaking to letsrecycle.com on January 16th Mr Williams said 2012/13 has been a bad year for health and safety in the waste industry, which is still lagging behind other industries in terms of performance. In a bid to reduce the number of incidents.
Mr Williams added: “At the end of the day it is with the industry to pick up the gauntlet and demonstrate that they are taking it seriously and moving forwards.”
Trends
Looking forward, Mr Williams said he wanted to see the number of injuries – including fatal, major and reportable – drop. He said that comparing figures on a year to year basis is difficult, particularly for fatalities, which can be sporadic, but that trends over a number of years give a better indication of the performance of the industry.
Generally, Mr Williams said, the number of incidents in the waste industry was falling but not quick enough.
Looking forward, Mr Williams said he wanted to see the number of injuries – including fatal, major and reportable – drop. He said that comparing figures on a year to year basis is difficult, particularly for fatalities, which can be sporadic, but that trends over a number of years give a better indication of the performance of the industry.
Generally, Mr Williams said, the number of incidents in the waste industry was falling but not quick enough.
WISH
Because of the nature of the industry, Mr Williams said that waste will remain a ‘high priority’ inspection area for the HSE. In a bid to engage members of the industry the HSE and the Waste Industry Safety and Health (WISH) form – a body of industry experts who advise on health and safety – is set to hold an invitation only summit on February 7 in Solihull which will gather key players from the waste industry.
Because of the nature of the industry, Mr Williams said that waste will remain a ‘high priority’ inspection area for the HSE. In a bid to engage members of the industry the HSE and the Waste Industry Safety and Health (WISH) form – a body of industry experts who advise on health and safety – is set to hold an invitation only summit on February 7 in Solihull which will gather key players from the waste industry.
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