JCB puts safety firmly in focus with new films.

JCB is heading an industry-wide initiative aimed at improving health and safety within the waste and recycling sectors.

In partnership with the Chartered Institute of Waste Management, Biffa, HW Martin Group, EU Skills, Mentor Training and Waste Masters Hire, JCB has produced a series of five ‘WasteWise’ films that promote the safe and efficient operation of handling machinery at waste sites.

The films are available to watch, free of charge, via YouTube and other social media platforms from mid-February 2019.

Each video runs for approximately 10 minutes and focuses on the simple steps that machine operators should take to optimise on-site safety and productivity every day. 

The films are dedicated to specific machines in the JCB WasteMaster range and cover essential pre-shift checks, basic maintenance routines and guidance on visibility and ongoing machine management.

David Banks, JCB’s Sales Manager – Waste and Recycling Sector, said: “JCB is the single biggest provider of handling equipment to the UK waste and recycling market and the new ‘WasteWise’ videos are part of JCB’s commitment to improving health and safety across the nation’s waste and recycling plants 

“A steering group was formed with a diverse range of partner companies and organisations representing the sector to help highlight the key issues and some of the challenges facing the industry are addressed in the films.”

He added: “The videos are designed to help develop a heightened sense of responsibility among machinery operators working in the waste and recycling sectors. We hope to create an understanding of the fact that, by taking a few simple steps, operators can greatly reduce the likelihood of being involved in an accident.

“The films also show how basic routine vehicle maintenance checks not only improve on-site safety but also contribute to significant reductions in machinery operating costs and, over the lifetime of a machine, will help to sustain residual values and, therefore, minimise total cost of ownership.”

The JCB machines featured in the 5 ‘WasteWise’ films are: the 550-80 telescopic handler; the Teletruk 35D; the JS20MH material handler; the 437 wheeled loader; and the 5CX back hoe loader.

David Banks added: “The ‘WasteWise’ films are designed to be complementary to existing training programmes. The content encourages operators to take responsibility for the machines they work with. By doing so, they will make life safer for themselves and their colleagues.”