The fatal injury rate in the waste industry is 3.65 per 100,000 workers, which is 9.1 times the all industry rate, according to the latest Health & Safety Executive statistics for 2023/24.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) statistics show there were four fatal injuries to workers in the waste industry in 2023/24, and one fatal injury to a member of the public.
This is the same number as the annual average over the five year period between 2019/20 and 2023/24.
Over the same five year period, 52% of deaths were classified as struck by moving vehicle and 24% were classified as struck by a moving, including flying or falling, object.
According to the Annual Population Survey in 2023, the waste sector accounts for around 0.3% of the workforce in Great Britain.
Commenting on the statistics, HSE’s chief executive Sarah Albon said: “This year marks 50 years since the legislation which established HSE was passed.
“Much has been achieved in that time, including a dramatic reduction of around 85 per cent in the numbers of employee fatal injuries in the workplace.
“Today, Great Britain is one of the safest places in the world to work but these statistics serve as a reminder that there is still room for further improvement, and we remain committed to ensuring people remain safe and healthy wherever work is taking place.”
Non-fatal injuries in the waste industry
On average, 4,000 workers sustained non-fatal injuries at work in the waste industry over the seven-year period 2017/18-2023/24.
32% of non-fatal injuries were classified as sustained from a slip, trip, fall on the same level.
While 25% were injured while handling lifting or carrying at work and 12% were struck by a moving, including flying or falling, object.
