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).
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.
Currently, WISH enables representation from the following:
* and equivalent bodies in Scotland and Wales
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.
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:
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.
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.
Reduce the overall RIDDOR reported accident rate by 10% year on year (2005/6 baseline) by December 2013.
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.
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).
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.
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.
Update to Mapping Health and Safety Standards in the UK Waste Industry (BOMEL2) found the accident incidence rate in 2005/6 to be 2525 RIDDORS per 100,000 workers/ year. Applying the 2005/6 accident rate to the base year of 2008 and reducing the rate by 10% year on year to the end of 2013 will produce an accident rate of 1493 RIDDORS per 100,000 workers/year.
HSE and ESA are working to produce a standard format to enable employers to measure and analyse the number of days lost due to occupational health and safety issues. It is proposed that sampling will take place to measure performance of the industry and enable individual organisations to benchmark their performance and identify areas for further action.
HSG65 "Successful health and safety management" ISBN 07176-1276-7
