New preliminary figures released by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) have revealed a drop in the number of fatalities in the waste and recycling sector for the year 2020/21.
Three fatal injuries to waste and recycling workers were recorded for the year 2020/21. This is two below 2019/20 (5) and below the annual average over the last five years – the average being eight.
Looking at fatality numbers in terms of the fatal injury rate, in terms of the number of fatalities per 100,000 workers employed, agriculture, forestry and fishing and waste and recycling come out worst of recorded industries, the HSE says.
Whilst the working world in which we now live has created new health challenges for workers and for those who have a duty towards them, safety must also remain a priority.
Based on the annual average rates for 2016/17-2020/21, the rate of fatal injury to workers in both agriculture, forestry and fishing and waste and recycling remains markedly higher than the average across all industries: around 20 times and 17 times as high respectively.
The figures released by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) relate to workplace incidents. They do not include deaths arising from occupational exposure to disease, including Covid-19.
HSE’s Chief Executive, Sarah Albon, said: “Whilst the working world in which we now live has created new health challenges for workers and for those who have a duty towards them, safety must also remain a priority.
“Whilst the picture has improved considerably over the longer term and Great Britain is one of the safest places to work in the world, every loss of life is a tragedy, we are committed to ensuring that workplaces are as safe as they can be and that employers are held to account and take their obligations seriously.”
