HSE report casts doubt on use of kerbside box
posted in News |Industry and the GMB union have backed an HSE report that recommends the use of wheelie bins for collecting recyclables instead of non-wheeled containers such as kerbside boxes.
According to the HSE’s report, ‘Manual handling in kerbside collection and sorting of recyclables’ (HSL/2006/25) published at the end of last month, the use of containers employed for box collection schemes should be monitored to ensure they do not exceed a practicable limit and put operatives at risk of suffering from musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs).
MSDs affect muscles, joints, tendons and other parts of the musculoskeletal system. They have been identified as the UK’s most common cause of occupational ill health, affecting 1.1 million people annually at a cost of £5.7 billion. An estimated 12.3 million working days are lost due to work-related MSDs.
The HSE report states that: “Where boxes are used [it is recommended that there should be a reduction in] the capacity of boxes to at most 40 litres to provide a method of weight control. The maximum weight observed for a 40 litre box containing mixed glass and newspaper, including a lid, was 12.8kg. This weight is acceptable to at least 90% of the British male adult population.”
The issue has raised concerns at the GMB union.
“I understand the pressure local authorities are under to recycle their waste which has made them rush into kerbside boxes,” said John McClean, GMB’s health and safety officer. “The GMB believes this is a backward step because it means they’re moving away from mechanisation back towards manual handling.”
The report’s project leader, Dr Andrew Pinder, recommended that: “Plastic wheeled bins are preferable to metal as their lightness makes them easier to manoeuvre.” He added that: “Plastic bins offer clear health and safety benefits over metal ones.”
This view is echoed by Simon Dutta, marketing director at Plastic Omnium, waste containment specialist.
“Kerbside boxes are great in theory, but not so great in practice,” states Mr Dutta.
“I’ve no doubt they encourage people to consider recycling, but the problem arises when you have to move the box from the home to the kerbside.”
He pointed out that a standard 55 litre box when full with heavier waste streams like newspapers or glass is not suitable for the elderly, disabled, or very young.
“The local authority then has a responsibility to lift and empty that box. Both the GMB and the HSE have stated that they believe there are significant risks involved in the manual handling of heavy boxes. It’s a retrograde step,” concluded Plastic Omnium’s marketing director.
Published on the front page of Recycling & Waste World, 11th May 2006