The Use of Reversing Assistants in Waste and Recycling Street Collection

"Since December 2005 there have been six fatalities reported involving reversing waste/recycling collection vehicles."
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Recently the HSE has worked with local authorities and other concerned parties to identify ways in which the number of fatalities could be reduced.

"This partnership between local authorities, the waste and recycling industry and the Health and Safety Executive has produced a set of clear standards that will control those risks. We want to encourage these partnerships, using the skills and experience of key workers at grass roots level to develop solutions that will work for them. The challenge now is for the industry to implement the controls and ensure that tragic incidents are prevented in the future"
Bill Callaghan, Chair of the Health and Safety Commission

One of the major recommendations in the guidelines is the use of a "Reversing Assistant", this is a new role which it is suggested compliments or replaces the role of Banksman. This guidance is intended to recommend good practice, how to identify the risks associated with collection activities, and the methods of reducing those risks.

WAMAS offers a range of sessions to help employers manage the risks associated with reversing vehicles. These can include:

An introduction to the new guidelines for Managers, Supervisors and Employee’s Representatives

It is suggested that the process should start with a meeting to explain the new guidelines to key staff. This could include Directors, Managers, Training Coordinators, HR Managers, Supervisors, Union representatives etc. Here we would give a short presentation of the new guidelines and discuss the risk assessments that may need to be carried out and the training required by the drivers and Reversing Assistants to manage those risks.

An introduction to the new guidelines for Drivers and Loaders

Drivers and Loaders who work on the collection vehicle are the most important people in this process and they should be made aware of the new guidelines. It is our experience that, rather than introduce this as they work, it is carried out most effectively in a short training session with DVD to demonstrate the recommended procedures for the Driver and Reversing Assistant.

Identifying risks on collection rounds.

WAMAS staff will look at the collection rounds, identify the instances in which reversing manoeuvres usually take place and, if they cannot be avoided, produce suggestions for the positioning of the Reversing Assistants in each case. Alternatively we can work with Managers and Supervisors to help them identify these positions.

Working with crews to practice reversing manoeuvres

Wamas staff will travel with the crews and help them to identify the most appropriate positions for the Reversing Assistants for a range of different reversing situations.

Arranging a visit

We would be happy to discuss the new guidelines with you and produce a training package tailored to the needs of your workforce. Please do not hesitate to contact us.

We are also able to offer a full range of training for collection staff, this includes:

(These topics are taken from the units of the NVQ level 2 in Waste Management Operations, once employees have been through this training they will have demonstrated most of the underpinning knowledge required by the NVQ)More...

We have helped over 1500 Refuse/Recycling Collectors and Street Cleaning employees to gain NVQS, most of these were carried out FREE to the employer using Government funding. We still have access to this funding and we may be able to access this in your area. See Funding Section for more details.