WISH Charter and strategic objectives

The aim of this document is to set out a range of Strategic Objectives for the Waste Industry Safety and Health Forum (January 2009 – December 2013).

What is WISH?

WISH is a multi-party forum made up of organisations representing the waste and recycling industry.  Its purpose is to provide information, identify solutions and stimulate action across the industry to ensure the health, safety and well-being of those working in the industry and those affected by its activities.

Who are WISH members?

Currently, WISH enables representation from the following:

• Association for Organics Recycling
• British Metals Recycling Association
• Chartered Institution of Wastes Management
• Community Recycling Network
• Container Handling Equipment Manufacturers
• Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs*
• Energy and Utility Skills
• Environment Agency*
• Environmental Services Association
• Health and Safety Executive
• Local Authority Recycling Advisory Committee
• Local Government Employers Organisations
• Trade Union Congress
• Waste and Resources Action Programme
• Waste Management Industry Training and Advisory Board

* and equivalent bodies in Scotland and Wales

How does WISH deliver?

WISH is a multi-party forum that works by consensus and partnership, promoting good practice, sharing ideas and solutions with the aim of ensuring the health, safety and well-being of those working in the industry.

What will WISH do?

Traditionally WISH has worked to identify and drawn up solutions and guidance to health and safety issues within the industry.  This has subsequently been published as WISH endorsed good practice guidance on the HSE website.

WISH will continue to promote, publicise, facilitate and bring about implementation of the actions that can reduce workplace accident and occupational ill health incidence rates. 

WISH members have agreed and set targets for the industry to improve health and safety performance, the strategic agenda for which is set out below.  Key steps towards implementation include:

• WISH members agreeing strategic targets for the industry.  These will be supported where possible with materials and publicity to help the industry meet those targets.
• Harnessing the collective knowledge of the WISH membership to help individuals; representative bodies; employers and other organisations secure a safe and healthy workplace.  
• The representative bodies on WISH will identify areas in which they can help their members, constituents and others contribute to those targets. 
• Individual companies and organisations can contribute to the WISH strategic targets by taking part in the initiatives of their representative bodies or undertaking other such actions that help meet the targets.

Specifically, the members of WISH have pledged their support to the following objectives.  To help achieve the objectives the members of WISH will work with their members, constituents and those they have influence over to bring about those objectives.

It is recognised that these targets are high level and that each organisation represented on WISH will have to work with its members and others to bring about the necessary changes.  No single scheme or programme is likely to be suitable for all; it is expected that the range of activities practiced by individuals; representative organisations and individual employers will vary greatly. 

Measuring and reviewing

WISH will use a range of agreed metrics for measuring progress against the targets.  Hard data such as accident numbers will be measured using the same methodology as in BOMEL 1 & 2 or other suitable data source.   WISH will devise protocols to measure progress against other targets; this may include sampling and/or survey.

Strategic objectives

Objective 1: Accident performance

Reduce the overall RIDDOR reported accident rate by 10% year on year (2005/6 baseline) by December 2013. 

Objective 2: Number of working days lost

WISH will produce a standard format for measuring the number of working days lost due to occupational health and safety incidents.  This will be used to analyse/ sample performance to promote engagement at company/ organisation level.
WISH will establish and task a working group to identify metrics and agree a strategy to reduce the number of working days lost within 24 months.

Objective 3: Management of health and safety

Gain widespread adoption of safety management systems such as those consistent with HSG 65 principles or compliant with OHSAS 18001.   Publication of a simple online self assessment checklist could be used to help organisations identify whether they are meet these standards and provide information to help monitor progress with this objective.  Large organisations may choose to benchmark themselves on the CHASPI index (www.chaspi.info-exchange.com).

Objective 4: Health and safety climate and attitudes

Improve attitudes within the workforce to health and safety.  Develop and promote a climate survey tool that enables small and medium size organisations to measure the attitudes to health and safety within their workforce and identify areas where improvements can be made.

Objective 5: Competence

Increase the level of competence within the industry, in line with the WISH "Commitment to competence" statement. 
WISH will establish and task a working group to identify metrics for measuring progress with the Commitment to competence and agree a competence strategy within 24 months.