My colleague is a Council Health and Safety Adviser with a remit for advising Waste Management. She has a situation developing that Senior Management have advised Waste Collection Crews that with a “dynamic risk assessment” the crews can handle two wheelie bins at once dragging them from where the householder has deposited them for emptying and then dragging two bins back after emptying. From a manual handling perspective she believes that this is an unsafe practice for the reasons cited below, handling two bins at a time: ● Increases the distance away from the trunk as two bins cannot occupy the same space i.e. near the trunk. ● Increases the effort required to do the task. ● Increases the unpredictability of the load to be transported particularly over uneven surfaces. ● Increases the weight of the load being transported. ● Two bins are bulkier and more unwieldy than one bin to handle. ● More difficult to grasp, as both hands cannot be employed to maintain control. ● Imposes constraints on posture as the bins can only be pulled rather than pushed. (pulling exerting more force on the back muscles than pushing) ● Moving two simultaneously puts extra mechanical tension on the whole of the spine of the operator and increases the risk of injury and strain, especially if the bin tips over. ● Increases the hazard to those with pre existing back problems ● Applies psychological pressure on those crew members who are less physically able to keep up with colleagues. ● The bins are ergonomically designed to be handled using both hands. She is keen to hear opinions on the above and also whether this practice is already in place within other Local Authorities (and whether any issues have been presented as a result). Thanks in anticipation

First of all why is the lady not posting her own questions is she not a member of IOSH? To answer the question (making reference to my own council) there risk assessment clearly states that operatives shall always work within their physical capabilities (i.e. dynamic risk assessment). Therefore all the reasons sited are valid hazards which should be informing the control measures - but of course it is down to the individual/crew to make the "Dynamic Risk Assessment". If this is done "What is the Problem"? - those who can will and those who can't won't. The only problem I foresee is "Bullying" by those who can against those who can't - because the crews presumably would knock off work earlier if the round was finished quicker.

It depends on a lot of factors. I prefer to pull my wheelie bins, and I usually do it one-handed. just because it has two handles does not necessarily mean that it was designed ergonomically to be done with two hands. It is equally useful for a left and a right handed person. How much of a load do they exert on the operative? Even when very full mine are not a problem. They are not all one size. Further consideration is probably needed.

I totally agree. DRAs are surely a 'last resort' safety management method for where the circumstances of a required action cannot be reasonably predicted, such as Police and Fire service activities. To RA moving wheelie bins (or two together) will have a number of factors to consider, such as weight of the bin, the condition of the road/path surface and the weather - but surely its not such a huge task as to suggest a DRA? If this sort of attitude persists, it will allow employers to issue guidance and leave all there staff to DRA everything!!!! Having been someone who has been employed emptying wheelie bins, I would argue that moving two simultaneously does create a further risk, particularly it requires the operative to walk backwards every time - with the obvious trip hazard risk being compounded by having 2 bins landing on your lap. With the vast majority of public waste being moved by PFI type profit making companies, I see this move as greed as well as an attempt to shift H&S responsibilities to staff.

Mssy Sorry but you are following a very widespread misapprehension concerning DRA. It is NOT a standalone assessment ever! It has to be worked in conjunction with a properly constructed Task Risk Assessment where all of the issues above should have been addressed. Even for the fire and police TRAs lay behind the use of any DRA. Consider the fact that you may have two wheelie bins that are virtually empty - could these in some circumstances be taken together? Only the operative at that day and time and place can say. Having said that it is much used by lazy management to avoid the proper assessment of risk.

This may be of interest to some reading this thread. http://www.cravenherald...._as__ridiculous_/?ref=mr A few years ago during a prolonged period of snow and ice, the local authority I live in suggested we take our bins to the end of the street to the main road as they would not drive down to collect them. There are over 100 houses on my street so imagine 50 weelie bins at the end of the road! Don't know I have any answers to these problems and good look to anyone trying to equate staff safety with public service!