GJF Addresses The Issue Of People Sleeping In Bins
At the National Civic Amenity Site Conference in Coventry on 14 June, GJF Fabrications addressed the issue of people sleeping in bins, with the launch of the Front End Loader (FEL) version of its Qualitainer product range.
People sleeping in bins creates the risk of fatalities where bins are tipped into the refuse collection vehicle.
The Qualitainer FEL has wide aperture mesh windows on its front and rear faces, allowing persons sleeping inside easily to be spotted by the collection crew before emptying. The mesh windows are fully sealed by protected, transparent, highly scratch resistant Makrolon panels that prevent rain water from spoiling the contents of the FEL, and prevent the risk of arson when the contents are dry combustible recyclate.
The mesh panels of the Qualitainer FEL also allow contamination of the contents of the FEL container to be identified, allowing removal of the contaminants to avoid spoiling a load of recyclate in the refuse collection vehicle.
Commenting on the launch of the Qualitainer FEL, GJF’s chief executive, Dr David Gillett, said: “The Qualitainer FEL is the little brother of our Qualitainer Hooklift launched in 2016. Both containers are designed to allow the easy identification and removal of contamination in the contents, supporting the waste strategies of Scotland, Wales, England & Northern Ireland which all state the objective of improving recyclate quality.
“The Qualitainer FEL’s transparent panels have the added benefit of enabling collection crews to spot anyone sleeping inside the bin, avoiding a potentially fatal incident.”
JCB Loadall Telescopic Handlers Set Off For Grand Prix
Fourteen JCB Loadall telescopic handlers are bound for Silverstone in Northampton ahead of the Formula 1 Grand Prix next weekend.
The 531-70 models – which can lift weights of three tonnes – will provide four days of support at the race circuit.
They were sent from JCB HQ in colourful racing style with the convoy of trucks led by a JCB 3CX Compact backhoe loader wrapped in the colours of Williams Martini Racing to mark JCB’s partnership with the British-based F1 team.
Loadall Development Engineer George Cooper has been instrumental in helping develop a special jib attachment for the Loadalls, which will make it easy to quickly recover crashed cars during the various race events, including F2 and GP3 classification races and F1 practice, qualifying and the main F1 race event on Sunday, July 16.
George said: “The main benefit of the new jib attachment is it moves the lifting point of the car away from the actual machine, so it makes it easier and safer to recover a vehicle from the track. The 14 machines will be strategically located around the circuit on bends and at points where the likelihood of a car spinning off is higher.
In addition to the Loadalls, JCB has supplied a further six machines to Silverstone including a 8026 mini excavator, VMT260-120 roller, site dumper and a backhoe loader to meet the needs of the circuit on and off the track.
WasteRecruit Supports Offender Employment Scheme
WasteRecruit are working in partnership with SkillCert and WAMITAB supporting offenders into meaningful, mentored and sustainable employment.
The programme screens and identifies motivated individuals and ensures those who want to and can work are supported through the academy model. The academy model involves collaboration with the sector to ensure the courses provide relevant, industry standard qualifications which fill the skills gap.
The course delivers work ready candidates with effective communication and teamwork skills coupled with a good grounding in employment practices.
“This a new way for the sector to support not only CSR but to make a real difference in the skills level of employees,” commented Mark Hyde, commercial director, WAMITAB.
Candidates will be qualified to the WAMITAB Level 2 Diploma in Sustainable Recycling Activities and will have skills in:
- Health and safety, risk assessment and manual handling;
- Promoting sustainability;
- Developing personal performance and relationships.
Additionally, there are candidates who hold Integrated Driver CPC with Class 1 or class 2 HGV Licences.
A number of national companies are already taking on qualified post release candidates and we are looking to expand this network and would like to speak to interested employers.
Mick George Pushes To Make Asbestos Surveys Compulsory
George Ltd is pushing for regulators to make Asbestos surveys compulsory when purchasing a property, by engaging a number of experts in the field.
An estimated 14 million homes in the UK were built when Asbestos was most commonly being used as a building material, with experts suggesting those built before the year 2000 will have an 80% chance of featuring the contaminated material in question.
Mick George says while most forms of Asbestos, if undisturbed, won’t pose any health threat, evidence has linked Airborne Asbestos fibres with ‘Mesothelioma’ disease. The company says something needs to change quickly.
The move coincides with the launch of an online residential survey service for Estate Agents, Conveyancers and members of the public who may be looking to buy, or are living in, homes built before the Year 2000.
Liz Darlison, director of services and consultant nurse at Mesothelioma UK said: “The primary concern of Mesothelioma UK is to improve access to treatment and care for those affected by Asbestos related Cancer, but also to invest in initiatives that will aid prevention. One of the reasons we are delighted to be working in partnership with Mick George Ltd is due to their proactive approach, and dedication to achieving an end-goal similar to ourselves.
“This initiative is a great example of that. Sadly very low levels of exposure to asbestos can be fatal; the home is one of the more prevalent areas that large numbers of people could be exposed to contaminated materials, so pin-pointing the threat at the earliest opportunity could drastically help with prevention.
“There are a number of reports on houses that are mandatory and given the devastating effect asbestos can have it would make sense for Asbestos surveys to follow suit.”
Hadfield Wood Recyclers Takes On New SHEQ Manager
Matt Hilton has joined Hadfield Wood Recyclers as the company’s new Group Safety, Health, Environment and Quality (SHEQ) Manager.
Matt, from Bury in Manchester has more than 20 years experience in health, safety and quality roles in both the chemicals and manufacturing industries. He joins Hadfield Wood Recyclers from his former role at Polyflor and will be primarily based at the company’s Manchester head office, but will also be responsible for its sites in Middlesbrough and Essex.
Vicki Hughes, group business development director for Hadfield Wood Recyclers, said: “We are delighted to welcome Matt to our team. He has a wealth of experience working closely with site managers, directors and enforcement agencies ensuring legal compliance across all levels of business. In particular his experience from the paints and flooring manufacturing industry, has given him an invaluable knowledge of engineering and technical issues.”
Matt added: “I am really pleased to be working at Hadfield Wood Recyclers. They are a company which clearly takes health and safety very seriously so it’s nice to come into an environment where it is already top of everyone’s agenda.”
Hadfield was awarded the RoSPA Gold Award for health and safety in 2016 and 2017.
Self-Driving Waste Truck Uses AMCS
In the latest research and development in self-driving vehicles, Volvo Group, together with Swedish waste and recycling specialists Renova, is testing a pioneering autonomous refuse truck that has the potential to be used across the urban environment.
The project explores how automation can contribute to enhanced traffic safety, improved working conditions and lower environmental impact.
The VOLVO truck, that is currently being piloted in Sweden, is loaded with the latest technologies and innovations. It houses the AMCS certified on the 2 compartment vehicle with the in-cab . Using this AMCS technology, the vehicle records relevant data for its pay-by-weight operation.
“The digitalisation of the Waste & Recycling industry is unstoppable. We see more and more technological innovations finding their way into the industry.”, says Mark Abbas, chief marketing officer, AMCS Group. “Technologies like autonomous driving, , digital engagement & e-commerce are driving operational efficiency, improve safety and increase customer satisfaction.”
LSS Waste Management Upgrades To ISYSWeighsoft 5
LSS Waste Management Limited has upgraded its ISYS Gatehouse Skipman software package to the ISYSWeighsoft 5 Browser based software.
LSS predominately operates skip trucks, together with RORO vehicles, and also runs a handful of trade vehicles.
It has used the ISYS Gatehouse Skipman software package for some 10 years but switched to the ISYSWeighsoft 5 Browser based software because of the host of advantages over the old product – the main being access to cost effective Android mobile tablets for all vehicles, ISYS says.
This has allowed full vehicle checks to be completed together with mileage and fuel added.
Ian Grimes, general manager for LSS Waste Management Limited, said: “The implementation and training on Weighsoft 5 is comprehensive, easy to use, and from a customer’s standpoint very intuitive. The main benefits come from the way the system gives live information, providing greater transparency and control at all levels.
“It has definitely improved efficiency saving both time and money in all aspects of the business. The system is totally paperless end to end, from our Customer Service taking a booking right through to electronic invoicing.”
Pay By Weight A Success For Norse Waste Solutions
Since installing bin-weighing equipment to its fleet of trade waste refuse vehicles operating across Norfolk, Norse Waste Solutions has streamlined its operations and saved money by identifying “heavy throw” customers.
Shaun Ferris, general manager, Norse Waste Solutions said: “Having accurate weight information has enabled us to identify customers that were regularly presenting overweight containers and approach them to review what they throw and help them recycle more. We are now equipped with the information to charge a tonnage rate for what we pick up.”
The bin weighing equipment has been supplied by Vehicle Weighing Solutions Ltd (VWS). The ENVIROWEIGH is weights & measures approved so can be used for Pay By Weight services, VWS says.
Continued Shaun: “Offering a pay by weight service has allowed us to build a unique selling point for our services. We present regular statistics to our customers so they can monitor their waste management and change behaviour where required. Previously we were subsidising customers who were paying for an average weight of 70kg per container but actually disposing of 400 kgs of waste!”
New DAF CF and XF Tractors To Hit UK Roads
DAF Trucks has delivered a fleet of New CF and XF demonstration tractor units to the DAF UK Dealer network. Following the global launch of the new trucks at the CV Show earlier this year, the new, upgraded models are about to hit UK roads.
35 UK tractor units are part of a much larger European fleet of over 200 new CF and XF demonstrators, painted in metallic Jamaica Blue and sporting their distinctive demonstrator livery, manufactured at DAF’s two European production plants in Eindhoven and Leyland.
Since the CV Show in April, DAF Trucks has received over 600 UK orders for its new CF and XF models. The first customer vehicles will also start to appear on the roads over the next few weeks.
The demonstrators include a variety of New CF and XF models including FTG 6×2 twin-steer and FTP pusher-axle tractor configurations, in both Space and Super Space cab variants. DAF Dealers are reporting significant interest from operators keen to evaluate the New CF and XF models, with many planning local events where customers can appraise vehicles first-hand.
