Waste and Recycling Industry Fatalities Down Slightly in 2017
Despite this slight decrease in fatalities, the occupation of refuse and recyclable material collector remains the fifth most dangerous private sector job in the U.S.
SEATTLE (Waste 360): The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) has published its annual review of fatal occupational injuries, which reveals that fatalities of all U.S. workers remained flat in 2017. In the public and private waste and recycling industry, fatalities declined slightly from 31 in 2016 to 30 in 2017. However, the fatal work injury rate increased in 2017 from 34.1 to 35.0 per 100,000 full-time equivalent workers.
“This should encourage our industry to continue its commitment to the organizational programs implemented over the past year to strengthen the culture of safety,” said Darrell Smith, president and CEO of the National Waste & Recycling Association (NWRA), in a statement. “The National Waste & Recycling Association and our members won’t stop looking for opportunities to improve, and we will never accept any loss. Zero is possible.”
Despite this slight decrease in fatalities, the occupation of refuse and recyclable material collector remains the fifth most dangerous private sector job in the U.S. This is not where the industry wants to be, and industry leaders are continuing their efforts to make the waste and recycling industry safer.
“We are not surprised by the disappointing 2017 results, as SWANA tracks all worker and third-party fatal incidents in the United States and Canada involving the solid waste industry,” said David Biderman, executive director and CEO of the Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA), in a statement. “Solid waste collection continues to be the fifth most dangerous job in America, with a higher workplace fatality rate than police officers or firefighters.”
“SWANA’s preliminary data also indicates an increase in the number of worker fatalities in 2018, with nearly 50 solid waste employee fatalities recorded through December 15, 2018,” added Biderman.
Deaths among landfill employees (NAICS 562212), which are part of the reported industry total, have decreased in recent years, from nine deaths in 2015 to six deaths in 2017. There were also four fatalities among materials recovery facility (MRF) workers (NAICS 562920) in 2017. In 2016, MRF data didn’t meet BLS publication criteria.
To improve safety within the industry and reduce the number of incidents and injuries that occur, leaders are enhancing and expanding programs; hosting seminars, webinars and education sessions; providing more training and developing safety manuals; utilizing more technology; hosting commercial vehicle safety inspection briefings and demonstrations; and helping to propose and pass new regulation and legislation like the Slow Down to Get Around legislation, which is now the law in 22 states. The law, which requires motorists to slow down and safely move over when approaching certain vehicles on the roadway, is supported by NWRA, SWANA and others.
Industry leaders are also focusing on ramping up the conversation around distracted driving, which is a danger to workers and civilians alike.
Courtesy: https://waste360.com