Gavin Williamson, MP for South Staffordshire, visited the drivers of Refuse Collection vehicles at South Staffordshire Council this week to discuss their campaign to highlight serious risks posed to waste collection operatives in South Staffordshire.
The campaign, which is being led by Biffa Senior Business Manager Matt Bailey, wants to encourage motorists to take extra care when driving near waste collection operatives in South Staffordshire. Biffa has invested in live camera recording equipment that is fitted to the refuse collection vehicles in South Staffordshire, as well as printing speed awareness logos onto the uniforms of those that work around the vehicles in the hope it was reduce risks to their staff members, especially with drivers mounting the pavements at speed to pass refuse collection vehicles.
Gavin has called on the Divisional Commander for South Staffordshire to urge local police to support the drivers of refuse collection vehicles. If incidents such as dangerous driving occur, they would be supported by camera footage from the devices fitted to the vehicle and a registration number of the offending vehicle would be noted. The company has been working with South Staffordshire Council who have supported their efforts thus far.
Gavin said: “I found my visit to the refuse collection centre extremely interesting and I am very happy to support their campaign to improve safety for the waste collection operatives in South Staffordshire. It is disturbing to hear them say that it is only a matter of time before one of their employees is seriously injured and I believe that by working closely with local police, we can keep them safe as they work.
“The waste collection operatives do an incredibly important job, mostly on or at the side of busy roads, with the actions of reckless driving putting them at risk. I would very much appreciate it if the local police would work with Biffa and find a solution to what they are trying to do in terms of reducing harm to its workforce.”