New safety at work blueprint issued

A new five-point blueprint aims to increase safety among workers in the waste and recycling industry.

The strategy, intended to drive down the number of people killed and seriously injured in the waste and recycling industry, was published by the Waste Industry Safety and Health (Wish) Forum and developed in the wake of a landmark summit in February.

The plan for better risk management outlines 24 immediate action points under five strategic themes: Providing strong leadership; Involving the workforce; Building competence: Creating healthier and safer workplaces; Providing support for small and medium-sized employers.

Key initiatives include the industry developing its own leadership standards, publishing new training materials on successful worker involvement, and work with customers to use their leverage to promote improved competence.

Wish chairman Chris Jones, director of risk management and compliance at Cory Environmental, said industry leaders agreed that attention should be concentrated on these areas and there was “no shortage of desire” to address these issues.

Copyright Press Association 2013