• Business
  • Business News
  • Video
  • Contact
Aycliffe Today
Aycliffe Today
  • Business
  • Business News
  • Video
  • Contact
  • Follow
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Youtube
Home
Business

New safety campaign shines light on keyworkers tackling food waste

May 26th, 2020 Martin Walker Business 0 comments 0

Warrens Emerald Biogas has launched a new food waste safety campaign to shine a light on its keyworkers and the hazardous jobs they do in tackling food waste.

The campaign features online safety tips and resources to help keep people and the environments in which they work, safe and healthy.

In recent weeks, food waste has become public enemy number one and an unintended consequence of stockpiling it during the coronavirus crisis has led to an increase in avoidable waste.

As a result, keyworkers at Warrens Emerald Biogas have been tackling a mountain of food waste every day.

Jamie Burns, HSEQ Manager at the Newton Aycliffe plant in County Durham, said: “At Warrens’ anaerobic digestion plant, we have already recycled more than 22,000 tonnes of food waste in the first quarter of this year. On a daily basis, this includes recycling food waste from local authorities, schools and businesses and converting it into green energy.

“The coronavirus outbreak has highlighted the importance of keeping everyone safe and our keyworkers have shown an incredible response during the Covid-19 pandemic. Their outstanding effort to keep our essential services running deserves to be celebrated.

“Our new campaign shines a light on the jobs our key workers do for everyone’s safety and highlights their dedication and commitment during this difficult time.

“The workers are not only under pressure to tackle the growing food waste mountain, but also deal with the health and safety hazards that come with it.

“Like many other sites the number one hazard on our site is workplace transport, especially with the large waste vehicles we receive, but there are many other unseen dangers for our key workers too.”

Jamie explained that when food waste is anaerobically digested, the biogas produced is primarily composed of methane and carbon dioxide, with lesser amounts of hydrogen sulphide, ammonia, and other gases. Each of these gases has safety issues.

He added: “Biogas risks include explosion, asphyxiation, and hydrogen sulphide poisoning. Due to these safety risks on site, we have a dedicated team of engineers and technical monitoring equipment which keep the site running safely, and all our operational workers and contractors are trained and issued with gas monitors.

“The food waste that is delivered can contain all sorts of horrible pathogens such as e. Coli and Salmonella which is controlled though pasteurisation. This is the process of heating up the food wastes to 72 Celsius killing off these diseases.

“Where there is a plentiful food source, there is also a risk of leptospirosis which may be found in the urine of rats.

“Good hygiene has always been paramount on the site and in the food waste industry in general, but the spread of coronavirus has now given the team something else to keep in mind.”

The team recently ran a campaign as part of its continual awareness training programme to ensure site workers remained vigilant to all the risks and continue to adopt good hygiene measures at work and at home.

Jamie said: “The culture at Warrens Emerald Biogas is on learning and engagement. Everyone no matter who they are on site is given the opportunity and is encouraged by management to voice any concerns or ideas they have to make improvements to the site’s processes.

“This is promoted in many ways, including a weekly safety engagement meeting and the use of our own internal reporting systems where an Ace playing card is used to flag any dangers we spot.”

Even with the coronavirus and social distancing measures, the team continues to ensure the continual professional development of all of its workforce. This has been completed using online health and safety training.

Jamie said: “Our managers have reduced the number of people training to shifts rather than the full team. While this does take slightly longer to capture everyone on site, it ensures social distancing can be maintained.

“Training has also been completed which includes ensuring workers are aware of the site’s waste management and waste streams.”

 

Share it!

Facebook Twitter Google+ LinkedIn Pinterest
Next article Soccer star Sydney set for States adventure
Previous article Consultation to start on County Durham Plan changes

Related News

Business

NC Group: Building the future workforce of Aycliffe’s engineering sector

Aycliffe Business Park is home to hundreds of thriving manufacturing and engineering businesses – but with...
Business

How Senstronics culture has nurtured life-changing career for Jack

From delivering pizzas in Stockton to managing a high-tech maintenance team, Jack Rickaby’s journey is...
Business

Strategic expansion for family firm as industrial suppliers set up shop in Aycliffe

A fasteners and industrial supplies business with a proud family history is investing in the future by...

LATEST VIDEO

This week on A.T

Sep 23rd 1:40 PM
Community

Fun and Food scheme benefits thousands of children in County Durham

Sep 22nd 4:18 PM
Business

NC Group: Building the future workforce of Aycliffe’s engineering sector

Sep 18th 4:49 PM
Sport

Newton Aycliffe Juniors round-up

Sep 18th 9:44 AM
Business

How Senstronics culture has nurtured life-changing career for Jack

Sep 17th 12:47 PM
Community

Helping to create thriving communities across County Durham

Sep 17th 10:30 AM
Business

Strategic expansion for family firm as industrial suppliers set up shop in Aycliffe

Sep 16th 9:01 PM
Sport

Aycliffe prepare for FA Trophy trip

Sep 16th 3:09 PM
News

Chaos reigns as Durham County Council announces new cabinet after just 100 days

Sep 16th 10:47 AM
Sport

Aycliffe Cricket round-up

Sep 15th 4:27 PM
Community

Newton Aycliffe school children celebrating new facilities

Recommend
Follow @AycliffeToday
  • Business
  • Business News
  • Video
  • Contact
  • Back to top
© Aycliffe Today 2019. All rights reserved.
Developed by Thrive

Get our latest news direct to your inbox every Friday - subscribe to our free e-newsletter today.

Subscribe Now