AMCS group, market leader in performance sustainability, is paving the way in digitalising health and safety management within the waste and recycling industry.
The waste and recycling industry plays a pivotal role in the UK. Due to the nature of the work; the physical labor, transport vehicles and heavy machinery involved, it is an industry that presents significant risks to the workers involved.
While it only employs around 0.4% of Britain’s workforce, the waste and recycling sector is among the top high-risk industries concerning work-related health issues and injuries, right behind agriculture, forestry, and fishing.
The full and compelling statistics have been recently published in the HSE Annual report Waste statistics in Great Britain, 2023, we’ve distilled the key points below for easy reference:
- Work-related illness affects 5,000 workers
An estimated 5,000 workers in the waste sector experienced work-related ill health (either new or long-standing) over the nine-year period from 2015/16 to 2023/24. This statistic reflects the substantial health risks industry workers face.
- 4,000 workers sustained non-fatal injuries at work
From 2017/18 to 2023/24, approximately 4,000 waste sector workers sustained non-fatal injuries on the job, according to data from the Labour Force Survey (LFS). This figure underscores the inherent occupational hazards in the industry.
- Waste industry’s fatal injury rate is 10 times higher than average
With a fatal injury rate of 4.08 per 100,000 workers, the waste sector’s rate is about ten times higher than the all industry rate, according to the RIDDOR data. This stark contrast underscores the high-risk nature of the waste sector.
The high price of non-compliance with HSE regulations
A recent press release shed light on a company penalised with a hefty fine of £150,000 for its failure to adhere to the HSE improvement notice.
This incident serves as a stark warning of the severe consequences that stem from not fulfilling HSE regulatory obligations.
The immediate financial setback is only one part of the issue. Non-compliance can have far-reaching effects on a company’s reputation and employee morale.
A tarnished reputation can lead to dwindling customer trust, negatively affecting sales and market position.
The fallout from non-compliance can intensify, leading to possible jail terms for those involved, as demonstrated in another HSE case where a recycling company based in Birmingham was penalised over £1.6 million, leading to nine-month prison sentences for both its directors.
It’s clear that the repercussions of HSE non-compliance stretch much further than mere financial penalties, driving home the crucial necessity for organisations to prioritise safety protocols and regulatory compliance.
By proactively tending to HSE demands, businesses can foster their reputation, safeguard employee welfare, and deflect the threat of legal repercussions.
Establishing a strong safety culture: A business imperative
Employee welfare is directly linked to the operational efficiency of any business. A healthy workforce leads to streamlined operations and increases the odds of achieving business objectives.
On the other hand, workplace injuries do more than just harm the individuals affected; they negatively affect the company’s reputation as well.
In extreme instances, operations might need to be temporarily halted, which could interrupt productivity and profitability.
As we dig deeper into these matters, it becomes clear that the implications extend beyond being levied fines and possible jail terms.
Higher insurance premiums can increase the financial burden. But, merely acknowledging these issues isn’t sufficient. The key lies in implementing strategies that prioritise employee safety.
Creating a robust safety culture is crucial and necessitates the collective involvement of all staff members, including subcontractors.
Overcoming roadblocks to establishing a solid safety culture
In the health and recycling industry, the execution of Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) protocols often hits significant roadblocks due to the dependence on paper-oriented methods.
The scattered nature of information, from Excel spreadsheets to post-it notes, due to the absence of a unified, standardised, easily retrievable system, makes efficient management difficult.
Furthermore, the inefficacy of outdated or insufficient EHS software in meeting basic necessities compounds these troubles.
Ask yourself: Are you managing compliance requirements effectively? Is training being implemented consistently across all facilities? How are risk evaluations conducted and recorded? Are all incidents duly captured and reported?
Do you have a complete understanding of the certifications your employees hold and their expiration dates? More importantly, are you meeting your safety Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)?
What’s the solution?
Address the issue at its root. By revamping and modernising your systems, such as adopting integrated software solutions or introduction of standardised procedures, you lay the groundwork for a more integrated and proactive approach to safety management.
With these fundamental changes in place, you can efficiently foster and maintain a safety culture that not only complies with regulatory standards but also encourages a work atmosphere wherein health and welfare prosper.
Adopting a digital approach in health and safety management
Navigating through the challenging terrain of waste and recycling industries, the task of overseeing health and safety measures can often overwhelm limited manpower.
This situation emphasises the necessity to shift your workload to a digital solution designed specifically for this field.
An all-encompassing EHS software solution ought to facilitate smooth integration with your current software lineup while priortising Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) vital for your industry.
The solution should act as a central hub, offering necessary tools within an easy-to-use interface, enabling the creation of a solid safety culture.
By welcoming digitalisation, you erase the obstacles of isolated data, assuring unified information availability and generating a unified factual source for your operations.
Your preferred EHS software should cover all aspects of Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) management, from regulatory compliance, permits, risk assessments, to monitoring reports, and tracking hazardous materials.
It is crucial for the software solution to offer real-time reporting, catering not just to internal stakeholders, but also to significant regulatory organisations, ensuring openness and accountability at all levels.
What does a digital solution mean for you?
Think about the transformative effect of a digital resolution designed to meet your demands. Visualise accessing a dashboard specific to your role that delivers a holistic view of pending responsibilities, incident findings, and essential documents, complimented by visual KPIs, easily available at your disposal.
With the appropriate EHS software, maintaining legal adherence across various regions becomes a breeze.
It consolidates training guidelines, ensuring uniformity across all sites, made available to employees in their chosen languages, irrespective of their location.
Additionally, picture the mobility of carrying out configurable risk evaluations tailored to particular job roles and activities, flawlessly linking risks to equipment.
With reusable templates and risk directories at their disposal, your team can execute tasks more resourcefully and uniformly, even without internet access.
Having streamlined incident reporting is crucial, enabling swift reporting and observations from any gadget, thereby ensuring standardised data for every stakeholder.
Consolidating this wealth of information into a single platform goes beyond convenience – it provides invaluable insights into health and safety protocols.
Spotting trends and fine-tuning policies becomes effortless, ultimately reducing incidents and fortifying a culture of safety.
Digitalisation is not hard, but it is necessary
In conclusion, while the process of digitalisation may seem daunting, its necessity cannot be overstated.
By embracing digital solutions like AMCS EHS Management, you not only streamline operations and cut costs but also lay the foundation for a robust health and safety culture within your organisation.
When combined with AMCS’ 20-year history of supporting Waste and Recycling businesses in the UK and globally, this means AMCS understands your business!
AMCS EHS Management Software, a best-in-class cloud-based solution, seamlessly integrates various organisational data to provide a comprehensive overview of your operations. Its scalability and GDPR compliance make it a reliable choice for businesses worldwide.
Through digitalisation, you can proactively shape and reinforce a safety culture crucial for the well-being of your employees, the success of your company, and alignment with regulatory standards.
Gain the confidence of compliance and unlock operational efficiencies by exploring the possibilities with AMCS EHS Management.
Talk to the team at AMCS today about reinforcing your safety culture.
