Protecting more than just bins: Fleetclear saves lives

In the Waste and Recycling sector, six fatalities were recorded during the 2022/23 period, a jump from just one death the previous year (Materials Recycling World, 2023). Crew members are constantly faced with risk when working close to moving machinery - and without the necessary safety technology in place, this danger is even greater.

To protect these key workers, refuse vehicles need to be equipped with tools to do more than just speed up the collection of bins. Better detection and safety systems are not just an upgrade - they’re an urgent necessity for protecting lives. Despite advancements, many refuse collection lorries still rely on outdated detection technology. These systems may fail to identify hazards near the bin lift or around/in the rear compactor, leaving both refuse collectors and bystanders vulnerable to serious accidents or fatalities.

The challenge of protecting refuse workers and collection vehicles

Refuse fleet managers face significant challenges when protecting their staff. The rear of a waste vehicle in the middle of a collection round is a scene of frantic activity, and despite established safety protocols, accidents can and do occur, especially if detection systems fail to identify hazards in real-time.Operatives work at speed, dangerously close to moving parts on the vehicle such as the lift and rear compactor, as well as crossing lanes traffic to retrieve bins.

One of the most critical issues is the inability of standard sensors to distinguish objects other than bins caught on the hoist or tipped into the body of the vehicle. This can lead to fatal incidents or injuries to refuse collectors or the general public if the mechanism activates while someone is in harm's way. Tragically, incidents like this are a very real risk for operatives on a daily basis (BBC, 2024).

Once operatives have successfully emptied the bins into the vehicles they still need to navigate the lanes of traffic around the vehicles as they return receptacles. If lorries are equipped with technical solutions to monitor their surroundings the likelihood of accidents involving traffic will be reduced.

Fleetclear’s AI technology: A game-changer for refuse safety

Fleetclear’s AI-powered solutions have the capabilities to identify and remove risks in real-time where traditional detection systems can be lacking.

Fleetclear has recently launched its Vehicle Lift Information System (VLIS), which actively monitors key danger zones via cameras, like the lift and rear compactor. It identifies objects or people  in designated zones and automatically stops operations if any are detected. This prevents harm and protects the lives of the operators should they get lifted into the vehicle.

Fleetclear is continuously evolving to address the real challenges faced by fleet operators. Our latest working innovation, the Live Lane Information System (LLIS), is designed to protect drivers and the public in live lane environments. By delivering real-time hazard detection and actionable alerts, it prevents incidents before they happen.

Fleetclear’s  AI-detection systems provide customers with the tools they need to protect their teams on the road and on collection rounds. Contact us or call our team on 01386 630 155 today.