HSE issues warning to councils over waste and recycling responsibilities
The Health & Safety Executive has warned local authorities to ensure they are clear about their health and safety responsibilities when it comes to procuring and managing waste and recycling services.
The move comes ahead of a programme of inspections that will begin in October. Over a three-year period HSE inspectors will look at the procurement and management of municipal waste and recycling services.
The programme follows guidance issued in January 2010 that clarified local authorities’ legal duties, whether they deliver the services in-house or contract them out.
“Some [councils] mistakenly believe that contracting out these services relieves them of health and safety responsibilities,” the HSE claimed.
The guidance, which gives practical information on how to make health and safety an integral part of the procurement and contract management process, can be downloaded here.
Speaking at a conference in Birmingham this week, HSE Inspector Wayne Williams said that despite recent improvements, the performance of the waste and recycling sector in relation to health and safety was poor compared with others, with nine times as many fatal accidents as the national average and four times as many workers suffering injuries.
He called on local authorities, as clients, to use their influence to make sure services are delivered safely.
Williams added: “As well as dealing with those authorities that have systems and processes that need improvement, we want to use our inspections to identify areas of good practice which can be shared with others. We've worked with local authorities and members of the Waste Industry Health and Safety (WISH) forum, amongst others, to develop the guidance.”
Williams suggested that “nothing should come as a surprise”, particularly since the HSE has run a series of regional events, giving local authorities the opportunity to ask questions, share their experiences with others and seek advice on potential management solutions.
