The aim of this Tool Box Talk is to provide information to the Drivers’ and Operators’ carrying out compactor exchange jobs about how we expect you to carry out your daily duties and what precautions you should take to minimise any risks to your Health and Safety.  Failure to comply with these safe working practices or any activity carried out which is deemed unsafe will result in appropriate disciplinary action being taken.  If you have any questions or concerns, contact the Traffic Manager immediately.

JWS service a large number of Static Compactors on various customer sites and although compactors vary at different sites the process of pinning off should be similar on most of them.  Compactors compress materials or waste into a container for eventual recycling or disposal.  Machines typically include a feed inlet, compaction chamber and outlet to the skip/container.  The hopper can be loaded by hand, fork lift truck, an attached bin lift mechanism capable of lifting or a conveyor system.  A ram then pushes the material or waste under manual or automatic control into the skip/container which is then removed for emptying.  In some machines the compaction system is integral with the container (Porta-pack) and once disconnected from the power supply the complete unit can be removed from site when full.

 HAZARDS AND RISKS 

 

• Slips, trips and falls as a result of waste material and liquids on the floor. 
• Working with machinery resulting in entrapment of limbs.
• A reversing vehicle could lead to serious injury or damage to property if not conducted in a safe manner.
• Contact with waste, operators should ensure a high standard of personal hygiene when working with waste. 
• Climbing in and out of the vehicle cab or on or off the vehicle unit presents a risk of injury from a slip, trip or fall - refer to TBT 10 (Climbing In and Out or On and Off Your Vehicle).
• Additional hazards may be present when operating on someone else’s site, ensure, for the safety of yourself and those working around you that you have read a copy of the site rules before attending site.
• Contact with moving parts and machinery
• Build-up of pressure causing material to eject out and pressure inside the container or the compactor unit causing impacts with moving parts, doors, mechanisms and waste.
• Manual Handling Injuries.
• Entrapment or crushing between the container and a fixed object when undertaking am exchange e.g. a wall, particularly if the container is in a restricted area.

Other risks to consider are:

• Noise
• Electrocution from poorly maintained sockets and cables
• Environmental factors such as lighting and weather conditions.
• Overheard cables and ceilings

PERSONNEL

Any Operator/Driver of the roll on vehicle must hold a valid Class 2 licence, must have been fully trained in the operation of the vehicle and must have received authorisation from the Traffic Manager and Compliance Department prior to use.  Do not allow anyone who is not employed by JWS and therefore is not trained in the operation of the vehicle to assist you in any working process, without receiving permission from a JWS Manager first. 

RESPONSIBILITIES

The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 states that it is the duty of every employer to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety, and welfare at work of all his employees.  This includes

• The provision and maintenance of plant and systems of work that are, so far as is reasonably practicable, safe and without risks to health
• The provision of information, instruction, training, and supervision as is necessary to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health and safety at work of his employees.

 It Act also states that it is the duty of every employee while at work to:

Take reasonable care for the health and safety of himself and of other persons who may be affected by his acts or omissions at work.

As regards any duty or requirement imposed on his employer or any other person by or under any of the relevant statutory provisions, to co-operate with him so far as is necessary to enable that duty or requirement to be performed or complied with.

In summary the above means that whilst the JWS Management Team have a responsibility to provide you with the necessary training and information for you to complete role safely, as an employee you must ensure you observe all operating instructions and follow the training you received at all time.  If you do not understand the training you have received, feel you need additional training or have any questions or concerns you must speak to the Site Manager before proceeding.  You also have a responsibility to report any issues to the Management Team immediately, including but is not limited to defect or faulty equipment, unsafe working conditions, failure of others to follow safe working procedures etc.

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE)

JWS will provide you with PPE to help minimise the risk of injury or illness whilst carrying out your job, it is therefore essential that you ensure you wear the correct PPE at the required times.  To ensure your PPE is as effective as possible ensure you keep it clean, store it in a safe place so that it does not become damaged and do not deface it.  If you have any missing or defect PPE report it to your manager immediately for replacement - refer to TBT 7 (PPE).  Full PPE must be worn on customers sites at all times.

SPECIFIC SAFETY REQUIREMENTS
 

• Under no circumstances should you attempt to enter the compactor or insert any limb in to the machine.  If the compactor becomes blocked or breaks down you must contact a member of the site staff for assistance, or the JWS Traffic Office. You should not attempt to unblock of fix any compactor machine. 
• Ensure when on any site that you adhere to all road rules including speed limits and one way systems, ensure you are aware of pedestrian movement on site, use a Banksman if available when reversing and wear the required PPE when outside of your vehicle.
• Try to eliminate reversing where possible, where it is necessary to reverse use a Banksman if possible and manoeuvre at low speeds, ensuring you are always aware of pedestrian and vehicle movement around you at all times.
• Ensure you wear your PPE at all times. 
• Undertake a visual Hazard Assessment of the site checking for overhead cables, roof heights, and objects.  Do not undertake any operation whilst there are pedestrians in the vicinity unless it’s an authorised Banksman assisting at a safe distance and the area has been safely cleared. Where hazards are identified complete a Hazard Assessment on your tablet.
• Always ensure that the nappy of the vehicle is applied at ground level only to avoid being struck by waste.
• Where required use film to secure the back of the load to avoid waste escape in transit.  Always pin the load and secure the load with a nappy and bungee.
• If you believe the container is overweight or over compacted in arrival to site contact the Traffic Office and await further instruction.
• The Compactor must be locked out and isolated before collection and all connections removed.
• Do not touch exposed wires or non-guarded equipment and do not temper with guards.
•  If you identify any of the equipment or the container to be defective do not service.  Instead contact the Traffic Office immediately and await instruction.
• Always ensure that the handbrake of the vehicle is applied, and the keys removed from the ignition when you exit the roll-on off vehicle.
• Never use defected or ripped bungees or nappies.  Always check the integrity of your equipment.

EMERGENCY PROCEDURES

In the event of an emergency firstly contact the emergency services (if required) and then contact a member of the JWS Management Team.  All accident, incidents, near misses and non-conformances must be reported to the office as soon as is practicably possible - refer to TBT 18 (Reporting Near Misses) and TBT 2 (Non-conformance Reporting). 

SAFE SYSTEM OF WORK (SSW)

Undertake a visual Hazard Assessment of the site on arrival.  Where a significant hazard is identified please contact the Traffic Office before servicing the compactor.  Where other hazards are identified complete the Hazard Assessment form on your handheld device.

1. Name three components of a Static compactor: