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Workplace Transport and Pedestrian Safety
in Waste & Recycling
Proximity warning technology for waste management health and safety.
Waste Management Health and Safety – The Dangers
Under health and safety law, employers have a legal duty to ensure, as far as reasonably practicable, their employees’ health, safety, and welfare.
Waste and recycling sites are no exception, especially where on-site transport-related hazards exist around the pedestrian-vehicle interface. When a pedestrian comes into contact with vehicles or mobile plant in the waste and recycling environment, the likelihood of any resulting incident being of a serious or fatal nature is very high.
According to RIDDOR data:
- Within the Waste and Recycling sector, being struck by a moving vehicle is responsible for a 52% of deaths in this industry.
We want to change that. ZoneSafe’s pedestrian detection systems significantly reduce the risk of collisions on worksites between pedestrian workers and moving vehicles such as shovel loaders, forklifts and excavators.
We’re proud to protect workers and waste management health and safety, delivering a tried-and-tested proximity warning system that promotes a ‘Zero-harm’ culture. Find out exactly what our customers say about ZoneSafe in our case study videos.
*These provisional figures will be finalised in July 2025. This allows HSE to account for any necessary adjustments or late reports that may come in.
Sector Statistics up to 2023/2024*
%
Workers Who Incurred Non Fatal Injuries
x
Higher Fatality Rate Than Average Across Industries
%
Deaths Caused by Collision With Moving Vehicle
Help your employees
to feel safe at work
Protect your
employer reputation
Improve your
safety culture
Manoeuvring Blind Spots Safely With 360° Detection
Keeping your workforce safe on busy worksites operating heavy plant machinery is no easy task. Vehicle blind spots, concealed entrances, blind corners, obstructions and unexpected behaviours all increase the risk of a pedestrian being hit by a moving vehicle.
ZoneSafe proximity warning technology excels in waste management health and safety. Unlike other solutions available on the market, such as an AI camera system, Zonesafe’s pedestrian detection system does not rely on line of sight, and it will detect pedestrian workers (even when they can’t be seen!) from behind walls, racking and even piles of waste and recycling, thanks to its clever use of RFID technology.
ZoneSafe Vehicle-to-Person Alert works by fitting an antenna to the vehicle. This creates a 360-degree detection zone around the vehicle, helping to eliminate vehicle blind spots. Pedestrian workers wear a ZoneSafe tag, which the antenna detects every time the pedestrian (and tag) enters the detection zone. Once detected, the in-cab control unit warns the driver via an audible and visual alarm, and the tag worn by the pedestrian vibrates, alerting the pedestrian to the danger of the approaching vehicle.
Multi-Fleet
Vehicle Applications for
Waste Management Health and Safety
Shovel Loaders
Shovel loaders are a significant hazard to pedestrians. Large buckets, attachments, even the shape of the vehicle creates blindspots for the driver and increases the risk of collisions.
Excavators
Excavators feature a boom arm and grab attachment at the front of the vehicle creating driver blindspots. They also rotate 360 degrees. Both increase the risk of collisions.
Forklifts
Forklifts have many different blind spots thanks to the loads they carry, distorted view from the cab and shape of the vehicle. These significantly increase the risk of collisions.
Waste Management Health and Safety Risks from Workplace Transport
It’s essential to segregate moving vehicles and pedestrian workers on your worksite. There are many different areas and situations on a waste and recycling site where this isn’t always possible, such as hand-sorting waste (also known as ‘totting’), composting, or any area where a vehicle reverses. Vehicle blind spots and site layout all increase the risk of accidents.
ZoneSafe works in any waste and recycling plant and environment, including:
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Glass Recycling
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Wood Recycling
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Mixed Recycling
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Paper Recycling
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Composting
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Scrap and Metal
Activated Signage
Implementing ZoneSafe's vehicle-activated signage provides a practical solution to enhance onsite safety. Signs only flash when the vehicle is present, warning both site users and visitors located in the area to any approaching vehicles.
Pedestrian Access Control
Restricting site access to only your employees or anyone given a ZoneSafe tag reduces the risk of accidents. Only ZoneSafe tags open gates or barriers to a restricted area meaning they'll be detected and warned should they get too close to a moving vehicle.
Safe Zone Masking Areas
In hand-sorting waste areas or where vehicles work side by side with pedestrian workers, over alarming can prove frustrating. Using a ZoneSafe Q-box will mask the system enabling vehicles to operate without triggering an alarm.
Data Management
My.ZoneSafe, is our cloud-based insight and data management platform, which records and displays event data (such as near miss occurrences) to inform Health and Safety managers of potential hazards and collision hotspots.
“The guys on the floor feel a lot safer with having ZoneSafe on their arm and knowing that the guys on the shovel are in that area.”
Improve Your Waste Management Health and Safety.
Find out what other waste and recycling sites say about ZoneSafe
ZoneSafe helped Recresco improve recycling safety on site by protecting pedestrians working around shovel loaders.
Mondi is a leading manufacturer in packaging and paper, employing around 26,000 people across more than 30 countries.
Other Projects We’ve Delivered
Virginia Hayward,
Warehousing & Logistics
Warehousing & Logistics
Virginia Hayward has reported a dramatic reduction in the number of near misses and accidents since the implementation of ZoneSafe.
Keyo,
Agricultural Services
Agricultural Services
ZoneSafe enhanced situational awareness and decreased the chances of vehicle/pedestrian incidents while preserving the welfare of the animals.
SAAM Ports,
Cargo Support Services
Cargo Support Services
SAAM carried out an evaluation project to find a solution to protect personnel and assets from vehicle collisions within their ports.
See how ZoneSafe can provide a solution for you Get in touch