Dear all

taking into account suitable and sufficient and significant hazards we have recently had x3 injuries to fingers/hands relating to our refuse collectors transporting wheelie bins via doors of domestic premises, care homes, flats etc

a risk assessment is in place and has been reviewed by supervisors mangers etc but to what extent do we need to go to in order to satisfy the requirements of the risk assessment process? Although a incident has occurred just how much is enough?

without becoming risk averse would you actually go to the extent of writing a specific assessment on the dangers of a trained operative trapping their hand in a door?

or as a follow up to the above incidents would you prepare a tool box talk? Memo briefing?

thanks

Zanshin

Not 100% sure where these people are trapping their fingers/hands. It sounds like you are saying its on domestic doorways (entrances to flats?). If that is correct are you seriously considering a risk assessment and safe system of work for opening a door? How do these people get out of their home in a morning? I would be investigating why they are trapping their fingers/hands. Is it something to do with manoeuvring the bins rather than the door? I think more information is needed before sensible advice can be given. Sorry.

Agree. Defo sounds like a Manual Handling related issue not a door issue, if that makes sense.

Is there any way of watching/observing them? What they tell you happened may not be quite what/how it happened, you might see a habit emerging like the others have previously mentioned that has developed into a manual handling issue, and you want to nip it in the bud. Understandably it will happen now and again but 3 occurrences in a short space of time is either a real coincidence, an actual problem (perhaps taking place at the same place) or a human factor and you need to know which one youre tackling.

Thanks all

Brian spot on, my thoughts exactly should I ask the manger to provide a safe system of work just to get out there door.

Bob, yes job and knock has been a problem and often an underlying factor for years, due to operatives Ts and Cs, oh and those who have a second job to go to.........taxi

Jodie, we have a manual handling RA in place that I will review

Ashley all operatives on are currently in the mix for manual handling training

and the other aspect is the claims culture that we all suffer, incidentally 2 of the above were RIDDOR reportable over 7 day injuries.

thanks

Does your risk assessment include looking at the bins? Are they too large for the doorways? Are the wheels in good condition and well greased? Are they being pulled up/down steps both wheels together? Is there a ramp that can be utilised? Do the doors stay open for the time the bins are being pulled through or self closing on the operator/bins? etc. etc. etc.

Do you communicate with the responsible persons of these premises?

I may not be thanked for this but, if this issue was becoming enough of a problem, then yes I may look at having something in a risk assessment. workers with broken fingers may not be riddor, but also may not be able to do their job effectively. As you say, two over 7 day reportable.

However, before I did anything (including putting pen to paper on a RA) I would want to know exactly why these incidents happened, what were all the issues. Is it an issue with the bins provided, an issue with overly strong self closers on the doors or indeed the technique used.

I personally have a picture in my mind where a worker is leaning over a bin trying to hold open a door with self closer. Because the bin is between him and the door he is only ably to reach just past the hinge point to hold the door / push the door. So is a handling issue which needs addressing whether in a RA or training or whatever does the trick. It should be common sense to pull the bin thus allowing you to open the door more easily, but we all know common sense isn't common.

This is just one of many possible reason how this could occur.

If a single line added to a risk assessment which prompts / ensures training, then so be it. I'm sure others will disagree, but I bet you can't afford to have workers off work, can you.

Chris