Earlier this month we attended the RWM Resource & Waste Management Expo. A key date in the year where people working in the waste and recycling sector come together to share best practice. It was another packed event and we were honoured to have the opportunity to speak alongside IOSH and our partner FCC Environment on the municipal stage about High-risk hazards in the waste and resources industry - back to basics.
Taking the two themes - ‘high risk hazards’ and ‘back to basics’ - we shared the work we’ve been doing to provide an extra level of security on the Refuse Collection Vehicles (RCV) bin lifts to protect loaders out in the field from this high-risk hazard.
Speaking to some of the audience after the talk, and in particular a SHE consultant to the sector, I was saddened to hear that so many companies and councils are still not aware of the issue.
It seems that the message isn’t always filtering down to the operators of these vehicles.
Despite concerns highlighted by WISH (Waste Industry Safety and Health Forum) and HSE (Health and Safety Executive) and even the recent verdict in the inquest into the tragic fatality of David Carpenter who was crushed to death in the back of a refuse collection vehicle (RCV) while working a residential round in Coventry in January 2023, the issue of bin lift loading safety is still not at the forefront for many.
The inquest jury described it as a "foreseeable" accident and in delivering their narrative verdict, jurors said evidence showed the vehicle could have been safer.
There is a critical safety gap. If this was in a factory it would not be able to be used without guards and interlocks around it. Users must rely entirely on training & safe systems of work which is known to be the least effective control measure under thew hierarchy of control.
We’re hoping to use our first ever attendance at LARAC Conference to share the behavioural change work we’ve been doing with FCC Environment to reduce the risk for their loaders using RCV Smart Loader.
If you’re there next month pop by the stand and see if you load the bin safely without staying in the danger zone. We look forward to meeting with lots of you.
Find out about RCV Smart Loader here.
Check out the LARAC conference speaker line-up here.