Waste and recycling

Fatalities in the waste and recycling sector are still too high, according to the Health and Safety Executive.

HSE statistics show that nine people working in waste and recycling lost their lives between April 2010 and March 2011. This equates to a fatality rate of 8.7 deaths per 100,000 workers — almost 15 times greater than the cross-industry average (0.6 deaths per 100,000).

Peter Woolgar, the HSE’s head of waste and recycling said: “The increase in number of workers killed last year in the waste and recycling industry is disappointing and remains a serious cause for concern. The fact that nine people failed to come home safe and well from their jobs last year is a stark reminder to the industry that it still has a long way to go.”

Woolgar added: “The rate of injuries in the sector has consistently fallen in recent years but we need to see this improvement transferred to fatal injuries and sustained. Waste and recycling must learn from other higher-risk industries and not fall behind in managing workplace risks.”