Slips and trips a problem in waste management

Well over a third of major injuries in the waste management and recycling industries resulted from a slip or a trip, according to the HSE.

In 2012-13, these two high risk industries accounted for 0.6 % of employees in Britain, but 2.8% of reported injuries.

Over the last five years, slips and trips accounted for the highest percentage of major injuries (37%) in waste and recycling, a long way of ahead of the next three causes which were: being hit by a moving, falling object (14%), “other accidents” (13%) and falls from height (12%).

Looking at the 10-year period 2001-2011, a quarter of reported injuries caused by slips and trips, occurred in either December or January, suggesting that bad weather such as snow and ice was responsible.

Subsequently, the HSE has issued new guidance on slips and trips in these industries. The guidance contains practical information on the major causes of slips and trips both indoor and outdoors. There is also a brief checklist on the main reasons for slips and trips at waste management sites and possible solutions to industry-specific problems.

www.hse.gov.uk/statistics/industry/waste-recycling/waste-recycling.pdf?ebul=gd-Waste+cr=1/Jan14

www.hse.gov.uk/waste/slipsandtrips.htm?ebul=gd-Waste+cr=2/Jan14