Welcome to the area dedicated to issues that apply to the Waste Industry.  You will also find general health and safety guidance in the 'A-Z'.  This information is relevant to all industry groups regardless of activity.  From here you can also access our 'Ask the Expert Facility'.

It is reported by HSE that the overall waste 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

Not only will you have employees to take care of but members of the public who frequent your premises making use of your services as well as contractors and visitors.

As well as the basic key regulations and Statutory requirements, we aim to provide content that is specific to your activities. All areas however should first be identified and risk assessed and hazards identified.  Risk assessment is the first point of call for all good health and safety management.

You will also find useful documentation in our 'Download' area, for:

• risk assessment,
•  policy,
•  guidance and 
•  checklists

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 being likely to rise.

Waste Management Activities include a multitude of activities, including:

• Collection
•  Reception (e.g. Civic Amenity Sites)
•  Sorting
• Recovery of materials
• Biological treatment of organic materials (e.g. composting)
• Thermal treatment (including incineration with energy recovery
•  Landfill

The number of fatal incidents is over ten times the national average and accident rates are four times the national average.

The incidents predominantly occur to refuse/recycling collection workers who manually handle and sort waste.

The main causes of injury are:

•  Manual handling injuries (including cuts from sharps)
•  Slips and trips
• Struck by objects (e.g. refuse during collection)
• Transport related accidents

Definition of Waste

Waste can be anything you own or your business produces and which you want to dispose of.

If you break the legislation associated with waste, you can be fined an unlimited amount.

Should you have any specific queries you can always 'Ask the Expert'.