The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) have issued a safety alert to the waste and recycling industry following nine reported fatalities in eight weeks between December 2005 and February 2006. In seven cases, people were killed by a moving vehicle, often involving refuse vehicles. Commenting on this worrying trend, Paul Harvey who is the Principal Inspector of the HSE Waste and Recycling Section said these incidents "must act as a stimulus for the industry to review their procedures and make sure that risks are properly controlled."
The HSE have recognised this poor safety record in the past and are currently working towards delivering a three year programme to improve the performance of the waste and recycling industry, which they started to implement last year. They have already developed specific guidance through the Waste Industry Safety and Health (WISH) Forum, details of which are available on their website.
