7517 Principles of Sustainable Resource ManagementUnit 203 How to work safely in the waste and recycling industry

Outcomes for the unit 5 outcomes

Know how to identify and deal with work related hazards and risks

Know how to work with risk assessments Know how to respond to emergencies Know how and why to select and use the correct PPE Know how to manage the work given to you

The UK is committed to increasing the amount of materials recycled and reducing the amount of waste sent to landfill.

Consequently, the numbers employed in these industries, with the quantity and range of materials handled and recycled has risen quite substantially over the last 10 years

Commitment to Recycling

Municipal household and commercial collections activities cover the collection of residual waste, green waste and recyclables. Around 70% of all workers are in this industry sector, and they account for about 80% of all the reported injuries.

Commitment to Recycling

The overall industry performance is poor and with RIDDOR reportable injuries in the waste and recycling sector over 4 times greater than most other industry sectors.The main causes of accidents include:

•Manual Handling (Muscular skeletal disorders (MSDs))•Slips and trips•Hit by moving, flying or falling object•Falls •Hit by something (object)•Hit by moving vehicle* •Contact with moving machinery•Needlestick/sharps

Most serious accidents in terms of severity relate to being struck by a moving vehicle.

In the 6 years 2004/05 to 2009/10 there were around 31 RIDDOR-reportable fatalities (including 9 members of the public) relating to municipal and domestic collections.

17 fatalities of which were attributable to household waste collections.

1. Identifying and dealing with work related hazards and risks

What is meant by the term hazard? Something that has the potential to cause harm

What is meant by risk? The likelihood that an accident will happen

because the hazard exists

Identifying risks - exercise Provide an example for each of the following risks:

Waste and material handled Machinery and equipment used Vehicles and plant Site conditions Unsafe behaviour

Describe the effect these could have on: Self Others

Responsibilities Who is responsible for health and safety in the

workplace? All staff Management – hierarchy of responsibilities What are reporting procedures in place for hazards

you've identified? What are your legal requirements? Organisational requirements?

Working with risk assessments

Formal risk assessment Documented, recorded and revisited regularly or

when a procedure changes/following an incident Where can these be found? Are you aware of the content?

Informal risk assessment Specific to the situation, identification of hazards,

carried out on the job

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5 Steps to risk assessment

Identify HazardDecide who might

be harmed and how….

Evaluate the risks and decide on precautions…..

Record your findings and implement

them…..

Review your assessment and

update as necessary.

What are the hazards?

Who might be harmed and how?

What are you already doing? Do you need to do anything else to manage this risk?

Action by whom?

Action by when?

Done

Slips and trips

Staff and visitors may be injured if they trip over objects or slip on spillages

We carry out general good housekeeping. All areas are well lit including stairs. There are no trailing leads or cables. Staff keep work areas clear, eg no boxes left in walkways, deliveries stored immediately, offices cleaned each evening

Better housekeeping is needed in staff kitchen, eg on spills

All staff, supervisor to monitor

date date

                                         

                                         

                                         

                                         

                                         

                                         

                                         

Informal risk assessment In what situations would you

carry out an informal risk assessment?

Punch & Judy need a risk assessment

False!

You don't need to secure your load if you're just driving down the road

False!

Health and safety banned sweets from being thrown into the crowd

False!

Health and safety ban traditional ties for clip-on ones to avoid choking

False!

Documentation Risk register Health & Safety handbook Organisation handbook Annual review Quality policy Health & Safety policy Meeting minutes H&S committee information

Health & Safety Regulations relevant in the Waste/Recycling Industry

The management of health and safety at work regulations 1999

Personal Protective Equipment Regulations 1992

The health & safety (information for employees) regulations 1989

The reporting of injuries, diseases and dangerous occurrences

regulations 1995 (RIDDOR)

The control of substances hazardous to health regulations 2002 (COSHH)

WISH Waste Industry Safety Forum WISH is a multi-party forum made up of organisations

representing the waste and recycling industry. Its purpose is to provide information, identify solutions and stimulate action across the industry to ensure the health, safety and well-being of those working in the industry and those affected by its activities.

WISH Objectives 2009-2013 Objective 1: Accident performance

Reduce RIDDOR reported cases by 10% year on year Objective 2: Number of working days lost

Reduce number of days lost Objective 3: Management of health and safety

Consistent safety management systems throughout Objective 4: Health and safety climate and attitudes

Improve attitude of workforce towards H & S Objective 5: Competence

Increase the levels of competence throughout

Responding to Emergencies in the Workplace

Responding to: Fire Explosion Collision Spillages Injury

Organisational Procedures Procedure in place in the event of an emergency

Preparedness and response Fire drill Evacuation Raising the alarm Reporting the incident

Who co-ordinates the emergency response? Accidents to people Accidents on the work site Information to communicate

Organisational Procedures Minimising effect of an emergency

Know the emergency plan, what to do, how to react

What problems could arise in reporting? Appropriateness of how to report Availability of staff Communication difficulties Conflict of interest

Know how and why to select and use the correct PPE

Selection of Personal Protective Equipment

Nature and type of work Assessment of the workplace Assess what is needed Equipment and materials location

Wearing the correct PPE...

Uniform Gloves Protective footwear Head protection Hi-visibility clothing Waterproofs Protection from sun

Own safety and protection Legal requirement

Managing the work you are given to do Why might you not be able to do the work

given to you? Lack of training Hazards in the workplace Faulty equipment Medication Physical or mental capacity Pregnancy Age limited work Qualified

What action would you take? What are your options?

Multiple choice test

45 minutes

28 questions

Pass mark 16 out of 28