A perfect partner for a positive H&S culture

Landfill facilities across the globe are notorious for their high risk levels, but the right partner can make all the difference.

Common risks at landfill facilities worldwide include fires and interaction between people and machinery, and these risks need to be carefully managed. “Since EnviroServ was acquired by new stakeholders last year, we have been aligning with best practice global standards to ensure that our facilities in Southern Africa are up to scratch in terms of achieving our objectives of zero harm to people, equipment, and the environment,” says Greg Alborough, group risk manager at EnviroServ – one of South Africa’s largest waste management companies for hazardous and non-hazardous waste.

“EnviroServ has adopted increased personal protective equipment (PPE) standards, resulting in a better level of high visibility clothing on sites, as well as mandatory hard hats and protective glasses at all of our facilities. These increased specs on protective clothing conform with global standards,” he continues.

The company has also increased its focus on helping managers to become involved with behavioural aspects of safety. To this end, all managers receive training in health and safety management and are responsible for disseminating these messages to the group through engagement with teams.

EnviroServ’s management is obliged to ensure that contractors and sub-contractors comply with rules while on site, and Alborough reports that increased managerial involvement in health and safety has broadened their scope and seen better adherence to rules.

“We have set targets for accident severity and frequency rates which require much health and safety awareness to reduce accidents, and require every member of the team to cooperate to achieve these goals,”  he elaborates.

EnviroServ’s target rates for 2023 are based on the last three years of accident rates achieved – a severity rate of 0.07/1,000 hours and a frequency rate of 3.85/million man-hours. Alborough adds that EnviroServ’s low accident severity and frequency rates are attributable to its sound health and safety management system. 

The company isn’t only stepping up its safety game at sites, as it is a proud signatory of the Chemical and Allied Industries Association’s (CAIA’s) Responsible Care programme, the industry’s voluntary programme that helps raise standards and grow public trust in the chemicals handling sector. “We are the final part of the chemical industry chain but we are an important cog in the process,” Alborough notes.

An external audit takes place every three years to verify compliance to Responsible Care. “We submit key performance indicators annually relating to our performance over the previous calendar year – health, safety, environment, quality – pertinent to the chemical industry, in which we are a key role player. CAIA develops an annual report and gives a narrative on trends,” says Alborough. 

He goes on to highlight EnviroServ’s excellent safety record and zero fatality rate, adding that the company’s lost time injury-free rate is trending downwards, showing it adheres closely to management systems, policies, and procedures, while exhibiting a good work ethic and safety behaviour. “Our incidence severity rate is low and our road transportation accident statistics in relation to the number of kilometres travelled is also trending downward, showing excellent driver behaviour,” Alborough points out.

“Our CAIA membership offers our clients peace of mind knowing we are part of an industry organisation that has high compliance standards that are monitored both internally and externally,” Alborough emphasises. “Belonging to the industry body gives us the ability to network and share knowledge with other creative minds around challenges facing us in the chemical industry. It also gives guidance in terms of what the compliance requirements industry is looking for.”