Scrapyard Fires are a regular occurrence putting lives and businesses at risk
Vehicle Depollution and dismantling has always been an industry that presents many hazards to those who work in it. Fatal injuries in the waste and recycling sector alone stand at 5.02 per 100,000 workers, far ahead of the 0.41 rate across other industries.
The aftermath of another ATF Fire
With the weekly announcements of accidental fires breaking out in scrapyards, regular injuries and environmental pollution sustained due to poor depollution practices, it is critically important that we move forward, confident that we are doing all we can to mitigate risk, protect our people and our businesses. Especially when you consider this already hazardous occupation, continues to present an increasing number of risks as the car industry seeks to incorporate newer technologies as it strives to find cleaner viable alternatives to the internal combustion engine.
Currently there are 32.1 million internal combustion engined cars and vans, and 1.1 million EVs and hybrids on UK roads. With over 17 million of these vehicles already 10 years or older, we can expect these to make their way to an ATF within the next five years. Consequently, ATFs will need to more than double their current output to keep pace - that's a tsunami of 3,500,000 cars and vans annually requiring depollution and dismantling in years to come. All this additional processing capability will likely come at a price; more people having to work faster, under more pressure, possibly taking more shortcuts and likely exposing themselves, and others, to increased levels of risk. So we need to move forward carefully and ensure that we are confident in the training strategies we implement for this hazardous occupation.
Environmental Agency enforcement officer inspecting a vehicle stockpile
So how do we protect and ready our employees for the future of vehicle recycling? By recognising the benefits of workplace training over mandatory training. Those organisations that value the difference and ensure their future training strategy puts greater emphasis behind workplace training, will be the businesses who successfully navigate the sector's changing landscape and benefit the most.
Workplace training has always be far more effective at keeping employees safe and aware. It considers workplace hazards in relation to specific activities that are likely to be carried out alongside or nearby. Training is not just about learning the "do's" and "do nots", it's drawing attention to industry best practice, highlighting how to increase productivity, fostering team work and driving efficiency in process. Well designed workplace training following industry-defined occupational standards, fulfils not only your mandatory requirements, but provides everything your employees require to keep them safe whilst being the very best versions of themselves. Employees who represent the best of the best are motivated, safe, efficient and productive, ensuring your business can operate at its optimum, all positively influencing the bottom line.
Workplace depollution training
If your business would like to benefit, why not take the opportunity to speak to elvtraining today and find out what our award winning training can do for your employees. We are proud that industry-leading businesses have chosen to use our training to support their existing staff, new recruits and apprentices. We have already supported over 160 technicians in achieving their elvTech qualification and we are proud that many have continued their development with us, choosing to stay with our academy to become elvTech Pro-certified. Get in touch today and see how we can make a difference for your organisation...
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