4 Major Risks Associated With Operating Refuse Collection Vehicles

Domestic and trade refuse collection is a vital public service. But waste collection procedures involve risk. Operators have a responsibility to protect the safety not only of the waste operators but the public. Managing hazards in waste collection is essential, and the first step to minimising risk is identifying it.

Here are some examples of risks associated with waste management, including the risk of injury to the public and to waste collection operators.

Safe Use of Refuse Collection Vehicles and Bins

Wheeled waste collection bins, or wheelie bins, and their larger trade-sized counterparts, have been successfully used in the UK since the 1980s onwards. Despite considerable technological improvements to the design and functionality of these bins and the lorries that handle them, accidents still happen. Some of these are serious, and deaths have occurred. Understanding the common causes of injury helps to minimise the threat to workers and the public.

1. Worker Struck By Empty Bin

Many of these injuries, where a worker or a member of the public is struck by a falling bin, are caused when the operator walks under a lifted bin. Cases are recorded where the lid of a wheelie bin falls off and gets stuck, resulting in an automatic emergency stop. An operator walks beneath the bin to fix the issue but in the meantime, a colleague has started the mechanism without checking to see if anyone is in the way. He lowers the bin and inadvertently injures his colleague. In other cases, the lift mechanism has failed and the bin has fallen onto a worker.

2. Bin Exceeds Weight and Falls

Sometimes bins exceed the weight that the hoist can safely handle. When a heavy bin is lifted, the hoist mechanism may fail, resulting in its release part of the way through its lift. This is a serious issue since a heavy bin falling from height causes grave injury and potentially death. Workers should be made aware of the risks involved in exceeding safe bin weights. Refuse collection lorries have limits as to what they can lift before problems may occur.

3. Hoist Traps or Strikes a Worker

Workers need to take care when dealing with or moving around the vehicle’s hoist. Injuries may occur when a worker traps a limb inside the hoist mechanism. These injuries are normally caused by a worker not following the correct operating procedures, or when trying to prevent waste from falling out of the truck or becoming lodged in the compartment opening.

4. Worker Falls from Vehicle

There are documented cases where a worker has fallen from the vehicle after climbing to rescue a trapped bin. It is important to put systems in place whereby trapped bins can be safely removed without workers climbing on equipment where there are no safe holds.

In order to maintain a safe working environment around waste collection vehicles, operators should be fully aware of all risks and maintain a safe use policy. Operators should provide full training for all workers, including temporary and agency workers. Equipment should be sourced from reputable RCV sales companies and maintained on a regular basis.

Having enriching experience in the world of digital marketing, I have created a niche for myself in the industry. The primary focus lies in writing, blogs, articles and different stuff that help businesses to fetch higher rankings on SERPs. Most of t