ESA wants to hear the sector’s views on health and safety

ESA Policy Advisor Stephen Freeland said: “Ours is a very diverse industry, with different activities carried out by many players and with different risk profiles. We cannot be complacent and must strive for continuous improvement to ensure that everyone returns home safe at the end of the day.

“Raising standards, especially in an area as important as health and safety, is a strategic priority for ESA and its members.”

The survey was completely anonymous and only took a few minutes to complete, and asked questions such as: “Would you be willing to report health and safety concerns if you had any?” and “Do you feel these issues are monitored and investigated?”‘.

The survey can be downloaded here. All employees in the sector can complete the survey until September 27.

The previous survey, conducted in 2022, involved more than 1,600 respondents. The survey results showed that attitudes towards safety had improved, despite the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) ranking it as the second most dangerous industry sector after agriculture.

Of those surveyed at the time, 95% felt they could raise health and safety issues and 86% felt safe working in the industry. Just 72% felt mental health was adequately addressed and 74% felt welfare facilities were adequate.

Health & Safety Executive data from November last year showed the number of non-fatal injuries to waste management workers rose by 2% in 2022-23, to 1,616 compared with 1,580 in 2021-22. Overall, around 3.3% of workers suffered a non-fatal injury at work.

HSE annual data for 2022-23 showed waste and recycling remains the second most dangerous industry in the UK, with six deaths recorded.

The HSE reported that in 43% of landfill inspections carried out, operators were told to take action due to serious safety issues.