Scottish Occupational Road Safety Alliance (ScORSA)

Why do ScORSA Exist

Operating a vehicle ranks among the riskiest work tasks. Annual data indicates that approximately 20% of accidents involve individuals driving as part of their job duties.

In Scotland, 67% of workers use cars for their daily commute, while professions such as delivery drivers involve driving as a core aspect of their employment. Legally, employers must regard commuting as they would any other workplace hazard, conducting thorough risk assessments and implementing feasible measures to mitigate these dangers.

Who they are

ScORSA has been created to assist and support small and medium sized businesses in handling occupational road risks created through normal business activity.

This is free of charge with an array of information, advice, guidance and resources to help employers understand and manage occupational road risks, and create a safe environment for their staff.

Sign up for FREE today

/by
,

Updates to RIDDOR Guidance

While there are no alterations to legal obligations, the revised guidance aims to enhance your comprehension of when and how to submit reports under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases, and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR).

Key revisions to the guidance include:

  • Direct links to specific types of reportable incidents, facilitating quicker determination of whether reporting is necessary.
  • Enhanced clarity regarding who should and shouldn’t report incidents under RIDDOR.
  • Improved explanation of what constitutes a ‘work-related’ accident.
  • Clarification on instances when an occupational disease is not deemed reportable.
  • Increased transparency regarding the reporting requirements for absences exceeding 7-days

Significant updates to the reporting forms comprise:

  • Prioritisation of questions concerning the severity of injuries, expediting the determination of reportability.
  • Integration of pop-up messages to guide users if an incident does not warrant reporting.
  • Enhanced usability of the forms through improved guidance.
  • Expanded options for individuals to specify gender when completing the relevant fields.

Find the updated guidance on RIDDOR

/by
,

WISH Info 26 – Managing Health & Safety at Household Waste Recycling Centre (HWRC) Civic Amenity (CA) Sites

The Waste Industry Health and Safety (WISH) Forum has crafted this guidance to mitigate safety and health risks inherent in the waste and recycling sector, specifically focusing on the operation of household waste recycling centres (HWRCs). This updated version now includes managing Health and Safety at Household Waste Recycling Centre (HWRC) Civic Amenity (CA) Sites

HWRC/CA sites have long been integral to waste and recycling management in GB. Originally conceived as facilities for the public, and sometimes trade clients, to dispose of materials not typically collected at kerbsides or excess household waste, their scope has evolved. Initially accommodating bulky items, garden waste, rubble, and domestic appliances, these centres now handle a broader array of materials, including certain hazardous wastes like waste oil, automotive batteries, and gas cylinders. Moreover, HWRCs stand out as they are accessible to the general public, a characteristic uncommon in most waste management facilities.

More information on this guidance can be found here

/by

WISH Safety Alert – Hydraulic Rear Doors or Similar

This safety alert is directed towards organisations in the waste and recycling sector that operate vehicles equipped with hydraulically operated rear doors, hatches, or body sections. It comes in response to a tragic incident involving a fatal accident where an individual was working beneath the top-hinged hydraulically powered rear door of a road sweeper. The failure of the door mechanism resulted in it abruptly closing, leading to fatal crush injuries. The content of this alert is also relevant to other waste vehicles featuring hydraulically operated components that pose a similar risk. Examples include the top-hinged rear door of a walking-floor bulk waste trailer and the raising rear body section found on most refuse collection vehicles (RCVs) and similar vehicles.

WISH Safety Alert – Hydraulic rear doors and similar

/by
,

Violence & Aggression in the Workplace

Violence and aggression in the workplace can significantly affect the physical and mental well-being of your employees. HSE’s guidance on violence at work is designed to assist you in safeguarding your workers.

This guidance will aid you in:

  • Assessing the risks
  • Implementing appropriate controls to protect workers
  • Reporting and learning from incidents

Additionally, I encourage you to explore the SWITCH Forum Bin Hero film & Videos, developed as part of an awareness campaign, shedding light on the violence and aggression encountered by staff working in waste management roles on a daily basis. These videos feature interviews with staff members from various roles in the recycling industry, offering firsthand insights into real-life events and demonstrating the lasting impact of such behaviour.

It’s crucial to acknowledge the invaluable contributions of our resource and waste sector workers and to stand together against unacceptable behaviour. Let’s work collaboratively to eradicate this behaviour and create a safer work environment for everyone.

These videos are freely available for use by local authorities and private companies within the sector to raise awareness and support our campaign against workplace violence and aggression.

Additionally, you can explore other resources on our website, such as the H&S Situational Awareness campaign. This programme, part of the ESA member-led Health and Safety initiative, aims to enhance awareness of common risks in the sector, including workplace violence and aggression, reckless driving, and other safety concerns.

/by

April Marks Stress Awareness Month

April marks Stress Awareness Month, a crucial opportunity to integrate stress prevention and mental health support into our daily routines, particularly in the workplace. Join HSE’s Working Minds campaign in prioritising mental well-being by focusing on one of the campaign’s five steps each week for five weeks:

  • Reach out and have conversations
  • Recognise the signs and causes of stress 
  • Respond to any risks you’ve identified
  • Reflect on actions you’ve agreed and taken
  • Make it Routine

To delve deeper into these steps, watch the informative video provided by HSE. Additionally, HSE offers various resources to assist you further.

Let’s make Stress Awareness Month a catalyst for positive change in how we approach stress and mental health in the workplace.

/by