Kerbside workers 'need health and safety training'
April 17, 2009
The need for health and safety training among kerbside workers of waste collection firms has been highlighted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
Workers should be trained to make sure drivers of refuse wagons reverse in a safe manner and avoid colliding with pedestrians.
The warning comes after 35-year-old Stephen Welsh, an East Dunbartonshire Council employee, was killed by a reversing waste recycling lorry in January 2007.
Jean Edgar, HSE inspector, commented: "Employers of waste collectors should ensure that their kerbside workers are fully trained to safely assist their drivers to reverse and avoid collision with pedestrians."
In addition, the representative said that safe systems of work should be established to allow the driver and kerbside collectors to easily communicate with each other.
East Dunbartonshire Council pleaded guilty to a charge under the Health and Safety at Work Act and was fined £13,500 by Glasgow Sheriff Court.
Last month, the HSE stressed the importance of risk assessments when companies are carrying out loading operations.
Find out more about conducting a Risk Assessment
Workers should be trained to make sure drivers of refuse wagons reverse in a safe manner and avoid colliding with pedestrians.
The warning comes after 35-year-old Stephen Welsh, an East Dunbartonshire Council employee, was killed by a reversing waste recycling lorry in January 2007.
Jean Edgar, HSE inspector, commented: "Employers of waste collectors should ensure that their kerbside workers are fully trained to safely assist their drivers to reverse and avoid collision with pedestrians."
In addition, the representative said that safe systems of work should be established to allow the driver and kerbside collectors to easily communicate with each other.
East Dunbartonshire Council pleaded guilty to a charge under the Health and Safety at Work Act and was fined £13,500 by Glasgow Sheriff Court.
Last month, the HSE stressed the importance of risk assessments when companies are carrying out loading operations.
Find out more about conducting a Risk Assessment
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