Resource management company, Veolia, has launched a range of initiatives with the aim of boosting the company’s health and safety record.
Currently operating the second biggest self-managed fleet in the UK, the Veolia manages many contracts that involve vehicle collections in busy urban areas.
To address the challenge of vehicle blind spots, areas that cannot be directly seen by the driver while at the controls, Veolia has integrated working and reversing cameras on its refuse collection vehicles (RCV).
This high-definition camera meets the work area zones for EN1501 at the same time as offering a wider field of view for the driver to use for reversing the vehicle.
By providing both a reversing and working view at the back of the vehicle it will enable vehicle drivers to avoid incidents involving large vehicles or mobile plant, and the potential injuries or damage to buildings, Veolia says.
These vehicle upgrades are being backed by advanced training, and are part of a campaign to improve the awareness of the dangers associated with blind spots for those working with or around large vehicles and mobile plant.
Veolia is demonstrating real leadership by putting people at the heart of what they do.
To make this training more realistic, the supporting videos were shot using cameras and aerial drone footage for a RCV, a hooklift (roll-on-off) vehicle, and a loading shovel.
To help vehicle crews to avoid any problems caused by activities which involve getting in and out of vehicles and slips or trips on steps, Veolia has worked with Back in Action (BiA) UK to identify new footwear. The new safety shoe is lighter and more comfortable to wear and allows good movement in the ankle and foot which reduces stress on the joints when stepping forwards out of a cab.
Commenting on the research Richard Hulland, Chief Risk & Assurance Officer at Veolia said: “The wellbeing of our teams is at the heart of everything we do, and these new advances will further boost safety for our teams and our wider operations.
“By using a combination of technology, backed by the latest training methods, we have given drivers enhanced visibility and raised awareness about the dangers of blind spots, and have seen a reduction in incidents.
“This has also enabled non drivers to gain a completely different perspective and understand how their interactions with these vehicles can remain safe at all times.”
CEO of the Chartered Institution of Wastes Management (CIWM), Sarah Poulter, said: “This is a great initiative in combining innovative technology and best practice for how to keep both workers and the public safe when refuse collectors are out doing this vital job.
“We all know health and safety in the waste sector needs to improve at all levels and the more we can all do to highlight and replicate best practice the better. Veolia is demonstrating real leadership by putting people at the heart of what they do.”
