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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

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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

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New WISH Guidance on “Safety in the Operation of RCVs”

In March 2023, WISH released a position statement addressing the safe utilisation of RCV (refuse collection vehicle – bin lorry) bin-lift equipment in automatic mode. This fact sheet, issued in January 2024 by WISH, builds upon the aforementioned statement, incorporating advancements since its issuance. It is expected that this sheet will undergo revisions and updates as additional developments arise. Primarily directed at users of RCV bin-lifting equipment with automatic functionality, designers, manufacturers, and suppliers may also find the information valuable.

The Guidance can be found here.

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WISH – Information Note 23 – Bioaerosols in Waste and Recycling

WISH has issued “Information Note 23”, providing guidance on the control of bioaerosols which are a complex mixture of bacteria, fungal spores, and other fragments of biological origin that are suspended in the air. When organic waste, such as domestic, garden and food waste is stored for any period, the naturally occurring microorganisms can multiply rapidly, especially in warm and moist environments. There is risk of bioaerosol generation during the handling and processing of organic waste, particularly during energetic activities. For further details, please refer to the Information Note 23 here.

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WISH Position Statement on Cleansing Operations & The Collection of Bird carcasses During Avian Influensa outbreak

Following a number of queries concerning the appropriate PPE and precautions to be observed whilst collecting bird carcasses as part of cleansing in streets, parks and public areas, WISH together with the HSE and others have published the attached position statement on this issue.

This statement will be kept under review during the current Avian Flu outbreak and will be changed should the circumstance so require.

Any questions or queries can be directed to info@wishforum.org.uk.

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Waste 30 Health Surveillance for the Waste and Recycling Industry 2021

This guidance has been developed by the Waste Industry Health and Safety (WISH) Forum to help control safety and health risks in the waste management industry associated with occupational health issues. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) were consulted in the production of this publication. It endorses the sensible, proportionate, reasonable, and balanced advice on managing risk during waste-related activities as set out in the guidance.

This guidance is aimed as an introduction to health surveillance and as such has been written for operators, site managers, supervisors, and anyone else who wishes to improve their knowledge of the issue. The guidance is relevant to all sectors and sub-sectors of the waste and recycling industry

WASTE 30 Health surveillance for the waste and recycling industry Feb 2021

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WISH Guidance Documents

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WISH REF 10 ARCHIVE INFO 13 V11 COVID-19 & Waste Management Activities – Issue 1 March 2022

STATUS OF THIS REFERENCE DOCUMENT

In March 2020 during the initial lock-down prompted by the COVID 19 pandemic WISH was approached to produce advice for the waste and recycling industry to help ensure that essential waste collection and management services continued. Version 1 of INFO 13 ‘COVID 19 and waste management activities’ was published on 2 April 2020. INFO 13 was regularly updated and added to throughout 2020 and into 2021 as knowledge and experience of the virus and the control measures to reduce its spread developed. The final version of INFO 13 (version 11) was published in August 2021.

Today we are in a vastly different position. Virtually all mandatory requirements aimed at COVID 19 have been removed. As a result, many of the controls included in INFO 13 ‘COVID 19 and waste management activities’ are no longer valid. In such circumstances WISH would normally withdraw a document. However, in this case there is a value in keeping a record of INFO 13 in the public domain to allow, if required, a more rapid response should there be a resurgence of COVID 19 or against potential future similar pandemics.

This reference document contains the text of the final version of INFO 13. WISH reference documents do not provide formal guidance or advice. This document is simply a record:

  • This reference document provides a snapshot in time of the waste and recycling industry’s response to COVID 19. It does not represent any formal, legal, or similar set of requirements for waste management operators
  • Various links are included below. Over time these will undoubtedly become out of date
  • However, the hygiene controls included are as valid today as they were in April 2020: wastes by their nature are often contaminated and good hygiene is a critical control

WISH REF 10 ARCHIVE INFO 13 V11 COVID-19 and waste management activities issue 1 March 2022

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Waste Industry Safety and Health (WISH) guidance during the COVID- 19 pandemic – A Partnership Approach

During COVID-19 WISH has continually updated guidance relevant to the industry and its interface with the public. The consultative and inclusive approach has allowed guidance to develop as the pandemic evolved. This webinar will provide insights into lessons learned to date and emerging issues as of June 2020, supported by a BINN Group case study. The webinar also explores driving for work, driver health and the importance of creating the right environment for a conversation with staff.

Panellists:

  • Dr Karen McDonnell, RoSPA OSH Policy Adviser and Head of RoSPA Scotland
  • Chris Jones, WISH Forum
  • Audrey Duckworth, SHEQ Manager, BINN Group
  • Jim Brown, Group Commercial Director, BINN Group and Chair of SWITCH

To hear the webinar click here

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