Agenda Item 4
BOROUGH OF POOLE
SERVICE PROVISION SCRUTINY AND AUDIT COMMITTEE
4 JANUARY 2007
OPERATION OF THE HOUSEHOLD WASTE RECYCLING CENTRE, NUFFIELD ROAD,
POOLE
1.
1.1
PURPOSE OF THE REPORT
To inform members of the Health and Safety arrangements at the Household
Waste Recycling Centre (HWRC). To provide information in relation to two
accidents involving members of the public in 2006. To furthermore provide an
explanation for the current site design.
2.
2.1
INTRODUCTION
The HWRC is open to members of the public 7 days a week 08:30 – 16:30 for the
free disposal of household waste.
2.2
The site maintains an excellent safety record, receiving on average 4000 visitors
each week (208,000 per annum). In total only two accidents involving members of
the public have been reported during 2006.
3.
3.1
DESIGN OF THE SITE
The site has developed in recent years to incorporate a Waste Transfer Station as
part of the Borough’s waste disposal contact. The distinction of the two sites has
reduced the risks associated with the manoeuvring of heavy plant within the
HWRC to which the public have access.
3.2
The HWRC has benefited from capital investment to establish additional waste
disposal bays for:- Wood, Garden waste, Metals, White goods, Bric a brac, Textiles
and Soil & rubble
3.3
The bays have been introduced in response to changes in Government legislation.
New targets on increasing the Council’s statutory recycling performance and the
introduction of restrictions on the amount of waste sent to landfill (LATS). The
changes require maximum waste separation to ensure the Borough avoids heavy
financial penalties.
3.4
The bays afford other benefits to the Council including:


4.
4.1
Greater opportunities to the Authority during contract negotiations and
generation of revenues by effectively separating waste types
Underpinning the blue bin recycling scheme by educating residents to
separate their waste prior to disposal promoting the recycling message
SITE HEALTH & SAFETY
Environmental & Consumer Protection Services (E&CPS) are proactive in the sites
approach to health and safety which can be illustrated through:- The HWRC operations have formulated risk assessments and safe working
practices, which are reviewed accordingly.
- The site benefits from a registered First Aider with further training planned
for additional staff
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-
Regular health and safety audits of the site are undertaken
Any accidents are recorded and investigated fully
Gate staff control the number of vehicles on site at any one time
Large trailers and large vans have been banned from entering the site to
reduce the risk of accidents associated with manoeuvring on site
4.2
E&CPS is committed to the proactive training and development of its staff
particularly those involved in front line service delivery where health and safety is
key. Training is programmed for staff as follows:- All staff complete the Corporate and Unit Inductions including focus on site
safety
- Essential health and safety internal course for managers
- 4 day Institute of Occupational Safety and Health managing safely – site
supervisors and management
- 1 day Institute of Occupational Safety and Health working safely – site
operatives
4.3
E&CPS has also taken advantage of an independent safety inspection from an Ex
Health & Safety Executive Officer to confirm the sites compliance. The findings of
which are summarised:Competence and attitude of management – Management know relevant health
and safety with evidence of effective self regulation
Welfare – Good clean provision
Risk control indicators (Falls from height/workplace transport/slips & trips/Noise)
– Full/Broad compliance at all levels
5.
5.1
SITE ACCIDENTS
To date throughout 2006 there have been two reported accidents at the site
involving members of the public. Summarised as follows:
5.2
a)
11th September 2006
A report was received through Customer Services of an accident which had taken
place at the weekend. The accident involved a member of the public being
accidentally injured by another member of the public whilst disposing of wood in
the wood bay. The resident required six stitches to his arm.
The resident did not report the accident to site staff at the time to complete an
accident report form. First aid was not administered by any Council employee.
5.3
b)
18th September 2006
An elderly resident disposed of some garden waste using the Green waste bay
without incident. Upon returning to her vehicle the resident thought that they had
thrown her keys in the bay itself and returned to look for them as they approached
they lost their footing and slipped, grazing their face and legs.
Site staff came to the residents assistance and gave first aid on site, an accident
report from was completed. The resident was later driven home by Council
operatives.
6.
6.1
FOLLOW UP ACTION
Both incidents were investigated at the earliest opportunity by Council Officers and
contact made with those concerned.
6.2
It is extremely difficult to control all actions made by members of the public whilst
on site. Signage could be increased however its effectiveness may be minimal due
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to the amount of signage already present on site and it’s reliance on a residents
inclination to read and adhere to the requirements.
6.3
A review of the area surrounding the green waste bay found the surface in places
to be uneven with small changes in level. There are no significant potholes. A
recommendation for remedial work to repair the uneven surface areas was made
and this work is to be programmed.
6.4
Health and safety remains a high priority within Environmental & Consumer
Protection Services. The unit management team receive a quarterly health and
safety report and agree actions. The unit has recently appointed site
representatives at each site to ensure that health and safety remains a priority
utilising the current system of proactive risk assessment, auditing and training, as
well as reactive accident investigation with appropriate action taken.
SHAUN ROBSON
Head of Environmental and Consumer Protection Services
Contact:
Steve Chapple
Waste Services Manager
Telephone 01202 261760
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