Health and safety adjustments needed

A new study, concerning health and safety in the waste and resource management industry, has been published by the Chartered Institution of Wastes Management (CIWM). The industry is statistically one of the most dangerous, with a fatal injury rate more than 10 times the national average. The report highlights a disparity between the way that this sector perceives its health and safety management and the reality of the situation.

The study was carried out by Entec UK Ltd and funded through Defra's Waste and Resources Evidence Programme. They distributed questionnaires and followed up with telephone interviews and site visits. Entec found that the key area that needs improvement is 'behavioural safety'. Employees and their supervisors need a stronger involvement in health and safety and a keener understanding of it. Senior management should demonstrate a more visible commitment to the issue and the resistance to using personal protective equipment must be lowered.

Chris Murphy, Deputy Chief Executive of the CIWM, commented that although high levels of health and safety awareness existed among those surveyed, more needs to be done: "This needs to be reinforced with more and better guidance, good practice sharing, and a focus on embedding health and safety in individual and team behavioural patterns and across the wider organisational culture."