In just under a year from conception to compliant product, the RCV Smart Loader is gaining recognition for its innovation.
Announced this month, the product has been shortlisted in the BSIF Safety Awards - Product Innovation – Safety Product Category (Non PPE).
Run by the British Safety Industry Federation (BSIF), this award is for products that are new, innovative & contribute to improvements in occupational safety & health.
Gary Escott, Managing Director of SiteZone Safety comments,
“As part of the judging criteria we had to prove the product has assisted in a reduction of occupational accidents or injuries. With the data we’ve gained from the FCC Wychavon trial and subsequent 5-vehicle pilot we’ve seen improvements in loading behaviours up to 90%.”
The project started in February 2023 with FCC Environment coming to SiteZone to see what they could do to help with the risks associated with using bin lifts in automatic mode. Moving swiftly to a trial in March, the data proved the system work and makes rapid changes in behaviour. In a single 4-hour collection round the data showed the number of incursions into the danger zone reduced by 75%.
Paul Stoke, Head of SHEQ at FCC Environment, commented,
“There has been no loss in time on collection rounds, and we now have a safer operation that reduces the risk to our employees. By increasing our control levels in the hierarchy of control we have reduced the risk level. Plus, the proven change in behaviours is fantastic. We know that training can only go so far, but by having a way to enforce correct behaviours throughout the round we can ensure that correct loading methods are used consistently.”
The product officially launched in September 2023 at RWM/Let's recycle event and has recently completed approvals and received its declaration of conformity.
Gary added,
“It’s been a fast-paced project to help the waste and recycling sector address a critical safety gap. And with behavioural change at the heart of the project, the innovation exists in the product but also beyond the product itself to enforce long-term behavioural change of collection crews whilst working in an area that can be hazardous, especially where complacency can creep in.”
FCC Environment and SiteZone presented to the esteemed panel of judges last week [21 March 2024] and the finals will be announced as part of the Safety & Health Excellence Awards on 1 May 2024.