Article Published on the British Plastics Federation website
Wells Performance Materials produce specialist additive masterbatches and compounds based on a wide range of polymer bases, including polyolefins, biopolymers, biobased and compostable polymers, EVAs, EMAs, nylons and many more. Well PM’s ability to handle materials with complex requirements such as powders, liquids waxes and high viscosity fluids, compounding into easy-to-handle pellets means that customers can benefit from enhanced functionality without difficult handling challenges presented by the individual raw materials. Offering a wide range of formats from traditional strand pellet, die face cut, through to micro pellet geometries.
With such a wide variety of materials on site Wells PM takes their commitment to the environment seriously and was an early adopter of Operation Clean Sweep, having been signatories through the BPF since 2014, this was then expanded on in 2021 by working to the standardised PAS510 guidelines. This was achieved by implementing formalised policies, risk assessments and a programme of regular site audits. Through this process key problem areas for pellet loss potential were identified and efforts focused on removing risks. A process which has been recently reinforced through Regulatory and Supply Chain Managers at Wells PM completing the OCS training course offered through the BPF.
Some of the initiatives introduced to the 4 sites operated by Wells PM include:
- Installing mesh drain covers to prevent any pellets escaping into waterways.
- Concreating under areas were waste is handled to ensure easier clean up.
- Separate dedicated pellet loss portable wheelie bins with OCS branding with long handled dustpans stationed at multiple locations.
- Investment in industrial sweepers for bigger surface areas and portable hoovers for harder to reach areas such as under pallets.
- Posters installed across site communicating the importance of Operation Clean Sweep.
Wells PM have also communicated the importance of Operation Clean Sweep to all suppliers, encouraging all to sign up themselves, and have implemented a strict offloading inspection process to help prevent any loose pellets or powders coming onto site in the first place.
This process has enabled Wells PM to develop an in-house training programme bespoke to the issues facing our environment, industry and specific site operations which is now communicated through to all staff and included as part of the induction programme. Operation Clean Sweep objectives have been included into staff performance objectives as well as standardised daily task lists and health and safety inspection schedules. Implementation of this is carried out across all staff levels to normalise preventing pellet loss as part of the company culture, with the process made easier to carry out and monitor through the use of online operation platforms.
As well as achieving the main objective of preventing pellet loss to the open environment, this of course has the added benefits of a reduction in waste costs and slip hazards as well as improved efficiencies. Through this combination of minimising the initial risks of loose materials entering the site, implementing practical measures to quickly contain and clean up spills, and communicating and normalising the behaviours to prevent pellet loss throughout the company Wells PM have seen a marked reduction in pellets seen across site and in turn the time taken to clean up spills.