A new health and safety framework for the waste management industry has been launched in Scotland.

It is the first of its kind in the UK, according to Zero Waste Scotland.

The framework focuses on a number of disciplines which will provide competencies for all frontline roles in household, commercial and industrial waste management.

It has been developed by the Scottish Waste Industry Training, Competency, Health & Safety (SWITCH) group which consists of more than 30 organisations from the sector.

It stated the total number of fatal injuries in the water and waste industry in the last five years was 37 out of which 33 were in the waste sector.

Charlie Devine, Head of Resource Management at Zero Waste Scotland and Chair of the SWITCH group said: “There are still many hazards and risks associated with the resource management and recycling industry and health and safety must remain the utmost priority.

“With the introduction of the new framework we hope that we can raise health and safety standards and start to enhance knowledge, skills and behaviours and improve the industry’s health and safety record.”