Safety in Waste Collection

1
Safety in Waste Collection
Noise in Curb Side Glass Collection William
Furniss Dip.2 OSH CMIOSH MRIPH

2
Traditional Approach Stillage Vehicle.


3
Emerging Technology- Curbsider Vehicle
4
What is the Problem ?
Noise assessments indicate that noise exposure
for those persons handling glass during the
collection activity exceed the upper action value
of 85 dB(A). The average exposure value was 87
dB(A) Lepd. Peak sound levels were recorded at
134.7 dB(A) Continued exposure is likely to lead
to noise induced hearing loss in operatives.
Noise exposure for those persons non handling
glass i.e. paper/cans/plastics are not likely to
exceed the lower action value of 80 dB(A)


5
Noise Management Controls
Primary Objectives. The Control of Noise at Work
Regulations 2005. Reduce noise exposure by
Engineering Solutions Redesign Hoppers/Acoustic
Material/Enclosure. Reduce noise by management
controls limit exposure times/job
rotation. Reduce employee exposure to noise by
personal protective equipment. Carry out
Audiometric testing at first employment and at
two year intervals thereafter.


6
Hierarchy of Controls

Design solution where reasonably
practicable. Hearing protection as last resort.
Difficult to enforce Loss of hazard awareness
i.e. moving traffic. Ear plugs not favoured,
unlikely to be worn at all relevant times,
hygiene/glass shard negative factors. Ear Muffs
preferred. Easy to fit/remove. Bilson C1 Clarity
may allow enough background noise in relation to
work instructions/moving traffic hazards.

7
Practical Solutions SITA UK Limited
Acoustic lagging trials undertaken September
December 06. Some sound attenuation but not
significant due to glass on glass noise
. Redesign of hopper, enclosure using brush
strips planned July 07 including sprayed sound
absorbing material. Trial of Bilson electronic
hearing protection February 2007. (Initial feed
back not favoured by operatives.) Trail of Bilson
C1 Clarity hearing protection currently being
undertaken.


8
Duties of vehicle/container manufacturers.

Usage of the vehicle/hoppers determines
responsibility. Manufacturers are not under a
strict liability in respect of noise reduction
design unless it is explicit that the
vehicle/hopper will be used in a way that would
give rise to high levels of noise exposure i.e
glass collection as opposed to paper, cans,
plastics. However where vehicles/hoppers are
going to be used for glass collection a
partnership arrangement needs to be formed to see
if the problem can be engineered out at the
design stage.