Protecting pedestrian workers in a waste and recycling environment

Pedestrian workers in waste and recycling environments face significant dangers from moving vehicles. These facilities will typically have large trucks, forklifts, and other heavy machinery moving around constantly, making it challenging for workers to navigate on foot, especially in confined spaces.  

The statistics from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and the Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA) illustrate the severity of the problem. From 2011 to 2015, 75% of fatalities in the waste and recycling industry involved a transportation-related incident, with the majority of those incidents involving a worker being struck by a vehicle. In 2018, 59 fatal incidents involving solid waste collection workers occurred in the United States, with 46 of those incidents involving a worker being struck by a vehicle.

To mitigate the risk of accidents involving moving vehicles, waste and recycling facilities can use proximity warning systems. These systems use sensors and alarms to detect when a worker is in the danger zone of a moving vehicle and can alert the operator to slow down or stop the vehicle. They can also include visual warnings, such as flashing lights or LED displays, to alert workers to the presence of a moving vehicle.  

Proximity warning systems have been shown to be effective in reducing accidents in waste and recycling facilities. According to a study by the National Safety Council, the use of proximity warning systems can reduce accidents by up to 90%. In addition, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recommends the use of proximity warning systems as a best practice for reducing accidents in the waste and recycling industry.

Implementing safety measures and training programs for workers is crucial, but the use of proximity warning systems is an important tool for reducing accidents in waste and recycling environments. By prioritising worker safety, waste and recycling facilities can create a safer and healthier environment for everyone involved in waste and recycling operations.

SensorZone is the leading proximity warning system used in the waste and recycling sector primarily due to its effectiveness in driving positive behavioural change combined with the real time data insights delivered through the SensorZone Insights Platform, which allows for ongoing improvements to site design and safety measures.