Vitalij Maceljuch, 36, was subsequently found dead at a recycling depot in Flintshire, with a coroner concluding “he died from severe head and neck injuries, likely caused by being crushed.”
The HSE continued to say, “despite the driver following proper checking procedures (looking into the bin, calling out, and shaking it on the lorry’s forks), Mr Maceljuch was not discovered until his body was found.” This got me thinking, particularly at this time of year and in urban areas, how often are commercial bins used for such purposes and more widely how we should be managing our bins?
Issues reported with larger bins and their use include:
- Manual Handling
- Heavy weight: Large bins/damaged bins can be difficult to manoeuvre and could increase the risk of musculoskeletal injuries
- Crush Injuries
- Pinch/crush points: Hands or feet can get trapped under wheels or lids when moving or closing bins.
- Compactor systems: If bins are used with compactors, there’s a risk of entrapment or crushing injuries
- Fire risk
- Flammable waste and arson risk
- Slips, trips and falls
- Spills and debris from large bins creating slip and trip hazards
- Access egress and location
- Bins blocking access routes
- Vehicle interactions especially during collections
- Stability and tipping
- The risk of bins tipping, falling or rolling, if overloaded or on damaged or uneven surface
- Hygiene and biological hazards
- The composition of the waste, including harmful or offensive waste and sharps or other objects and the likelihood it will cause injury, harm and/or attract pests and vermin
Understanding that it is not always possible to put your bins where you really want them, ‘anywhere’ is not always a good option and of course today’s realities, may be different to yesterday’s requirements. Some thoughts on checking your bins and bin usage should include:
- Consider the location – make sure it is suitable, level, an ideally a designated surface, away from traffic routes and exits;
- Keep your bins locked - this reduces the potential for, arson, waste escape and someone unauthorised getting into it, for whatever reason;
- Train your teams - on safe handling and use appropriate PPE (gloves, boots, hi-vis jackets/overalls, etc.) and consider the need for mechanical aids, as needed to support their work;
- Train staff - in the process and procedures and use of additional aids;
- Check waste streams and levels of segregation - of particularly hazardous waste; and
- Regularly inspect your bins - for damage and structural integrity (they are prone to take a bashing), as well as contents and safety/security.