Welcome to the area dedicated to issues that apply to the Wast 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'.
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 managment.
You will also find useful documentation in our 'Download' area, for:
- risk assessment,
- policy,
- guidance and
- checklists
All content can be downloaded completed and then uploaded into our 'Document Manager' area creating a Health and Safety Portfolio for safe keeping.
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, are 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:
By frequency of accident
- Manual handling injuries (including cuts from sharps)
- Slips and trips
- Struck by objects (e.g. refuse during collection)
By severity of accident
- Slips and trips
- Struck by objects
- Transport related accidents
Definition of Waste
Waste can be anything you own or your business produces and which you want to dispose of.
Types of Waste
Waste is divided into three categories:
- Special Waste
These are the most dangerous wastes. They include hazardous wastes such as solvents, batteries, oily sludges, waste oils, pesticides or wood preservatives.
If you are disposing of a special waste, a consignment note must be completed. These are available from the Environment Agency for a fee. Records must be kept for a minimum period of three years.
The Environment Agency must be contacted prior to any arrangements for disposal or transport being carried out.
- Controlled Waste
This may include some household, commercial or industrial waste. It can be from a house, school, shop, office, factory or any other trade or business.
This is all subject to the duty of care, which says that you must take all reasonable steps to keep waste safe, e.g. not accessible to members of the public, especially children. If you give waste to someone else, you must be sure they are authorised to take it and will transport, recycle or dispose of it safely.
Records and copies of transfer notes must be kept for a minimum of two years.
- Household Waste
This is uncontrolled waste generated from your own home. The duty of care mentioned above does not apply to this type of waste.
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'.
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