Biffa has introduced a new enhanced tier of fire safety training to help frontline staff safely respond to the growing number of waste fires caused by batteries and small electricals.
The Tier 3 ‘fire team’ course is being rolled out across its major waste processing sites, including its material recycling facilities and large transfer stations, following successful pilot sessions at its Edmonton and Teesside MRFs in December.
Delivered by UK Fire Training, the programme combines classroom learning with practical, hands-on sessions using the fire-fighting equipment available at each site. Participants must already be qualified fire marshals, having completed Tier 1 and Tier 2 training.
Fire teams comprise a minimum of three people who would provide an initial response to an incident while waiting for professional fire crews to arrive. The course focuses on decision-making - when and how to fight a fire, when not to, and how to prevent it from spreading.
The training complements Biffa’s continued investment in automatic fire detection and suppression technology, such as Helios cannons.
While all fire types are covered, there is a strong emphasis on identifying and managing battery-related fires, which have become an increasing hazard in the waste sector.
If put in general waste or recycling bins, batteries can ignite or explode when crushed inside trucks or damaged by machinery at waste sites, posing serious risks to waste workers and facilities. In 2024 there were more than 1,200 battery fires in the UK waste sector - up 71% year-on-year.
Fay Lacy, Biffa Group Learning & Development Manager, said: “In response to the ever-increasing risk posed by vapes and batteries, we recognised the need to enhance our training, so staff are fully equipped to deal with the challenges they face.
“We are not teaching them to become professional firefighters, as we do not provide additional PPE such as breathing apparatus. Instead, we are teaching them how to respond safely to a fire, including how to use the equipment on site to contain and mitigate a fire until the fire service arrives or, ideally, extinguish smaller fires before they escalate.”
Tier 1 is RoSPA accredited, Tier 2 is CIWM accredited, while Tier 3 is being submitted for accreditation. Refresher courses are also planned as part of Biffa’s ongoing commitment to fire safety.
