Simpler Recycling: What are the implications for health and safety?

One reason some councils haven’t been able to launch their food waste collections is simply the shortage of specialist vehicles. With everyone trying to buy the same kit at the same time, choices have been limited and many teams have had to make quick procurement decisions, sometimes with compromises. That’s exactly why it’s so important to take a step back and make sure every safety feature has been properly assessed, so that the frontline crews have the protection they need throughout the day.

All vehicles and their lifting equipment must meet the requirements of EN 1501‑1/5, which provides a robust baseline for safety. However, compliance alone to this standard doesn’t address every operational risk. As more councils adopt top‑loader food waste vehicles (essentially a large skip that material is tipped into), new questions naturally arise. For example, has the hopper been designed to prevent leaks, and how easy is it to clean out safely at the end of a round? These are the kinds of details that make a real difference once the vehicle is in daily use.

We’re also seeing more vehicles fitted with wander leads, remote or tethered controls that let operators manage the lift from outside the cab. They can be great for visibility and ergonomics, but they also introduce new risks if the engineering isn’t spot‑on. Operators need a clearly marked safety zone, full visibility of the working area, and systems that only allow one control to operate at a time. A dead‑man’s switch is essential to prevent unintended movement.

Route Planning and Risk Assessment Requirements

Route planning is another area that needs fresh attention. Food waste rounds aren’t just a variation of general or recycling routes, they come with their own set of risks. WISH’s Safe Waste and Recycling Collection Services guidance (WASTE 23) sets out what needs to be considered, but in practice it means taking a fresh look at every street, every stop, and every interaction.

Implications for Crews

Food waste collections also change the way crews work. Instead of emptying bins directly, food waste is usually transferred from household caddies into a larger transfer bin, which is then pushed from property to property. This brings new challenges: workers spend more time on foot, increasing their exposure to traffic, and manual handling demands rise sharply as crews lift caddies, empty them, manoeuvre the transfer bin and repeat that cycle hundreds of times a day. These are entirely new pressures created by the collection model required under Simpler Recycling.

Managing Health and Hygiene

Health risks also need to be front of mind. Food waste isn’t always fresh, and in warmer months it can break down quickly, increasing the chance of exposure to biological hazards. Crews need proper hygiene training and easy access to hand‑cleaning facilities before eating or taking breaks. Householders can help by bagging or wrapping their food waste, which reduces direct contact. WISH’s Health and Hazardous Substances guidance (WASTE 27) provides further information and sets out controls that should be in place.

These additional hazards must also be reflected in occupational health surveillance. Potential exposure to biological hazards, including bioaerosols, means respiratory health testing will be required. Crews should have a baseline assessment when they start, followed by regular monitoring to ensure no adverse impact over time.

As WISH, our role is to develop, promote and maintain guidance to help you navigate the challenges highlighted above. Our website hosts a wide range of guidance and practical advice. While it wasn’t written specifically for Simpler Recycling, it gives clear direction on how to build safe systems of work and put the right controls in place. As the regulatory landscape continues to evolve and more waste streams are collected separately, new risks will keep emerging. The key message is simple: every new activity needs a proper risk assessment, supported by robust method statements and safe working procedures before the first collection even begins and these need to be regularly reviewed to ensure they continue to remain fit for purpose.