We welcome the recent announcement from The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to launch a targeted inspection programme across the waste and recycling sector.
The HSE announced plans earlier this month to carry out inspections across businesses within the sector, which includes the handling of end-of-life (ELV) vehicles, with a specific focus on reducing risks and injuries related to moving vehicles and machinery.
At Copart, we process and dispose of vehicles deemed as a total loss across our 15 UK-wide Operation Centres and through our recycling business U-Pull-It.co.uk (UPI).
As part of the inspection programme, the HSE recently visited our Operation Centre in Sandwich to review the safety processes, procedures and control measures we have in place to adequately manage these risks.
The team was delighted to demonstrate their robust health and safety system, which includes risk assessments, safe working procedures, ongoing training for employees and strict compliance to our ISO 45001 Occupational Health & Safety Management certification.
We also hold the ISO 31000 Risk Management and ISO 14001 Environmental Management certifications. This further demonstrates our ability to proactively, and consistently, identify and control the management of health, safety, and environmental risks.
“The waste and recycling sector has one of the highest rates of workplace injury across all industries, so we welcome the HSE’s inspection programme. It’s vital that companies operating within this high-risk sector have suitable control measures in place to prevent the safety risks associated with transport and machinery.
At Copart, we are fully committed to complying with our legal obligations, codes of practice and all relevant requirements applicable to the safe handling of ELVs. Protecting our company reputation, employees, and anybody else that may be affected by our activities are of paramount importance, and we are pleased to be seen an example of best practise within our industry,”
Jane Pocock, Managing Director of Copart UK & Ireland
Find out more about Copart’s ISO accreditations and Environmental Policy