Safety Matters

Refuse and Recyclable Materials Collection Now 7th Deadliest Job in the United States

The US Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) released its 2021 National Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries showing refuse and recyclable materials collection was the seventh-deadliest job that year, down from sixth in 2020. The workplace fatality rate for this group was 27.9 fatal work injuries per 100,000 full-time equivalent (FTE) workers in 2021 compared to 33.1 in 2020.

This reduction in worker fatalities corresponds with SWANA’s 2021 report that showed a nearly 50 percent drop from 2020. The BLS 2021 Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses (SOII) released in November also showed historically low injury and illness rates for collection, landfill, and MRF workers. SWANA’s data for 2022 is unfortunately showing a return to higher levels of worker fatalities, suggesting that the drop in 2021 might be an aberration due to the pandemic. SWANA will issue a report on 2022 industry fatalities in early 2023, which will look at both worker and third-party deaths involving solid waste.

Goal 1 of SWANA’s five-year Forward Together Strategic Plan is to “Get off the Top 10 list of most dangerous jobs,” making the annual BLS ranking of even greater importance for the organization.

Solid waste collection (NAICS 562111) saw further reductions in workplace fatalities falling to 34 reported in 2021 compared to 38 in 2020. This continues a downward trend from a high of 57 in 2018. Of those collection fatalities in 2021, 28 occurred within private industry and 6 were local governments.

Fatalities among workers at material recovery facilities (NAICS 562920) remained steady at four reported in 2021. No solid waste landfill worker (NAICS 562212) fatalities were reported in 2021, but SWANA is aware of at least five collection and other types of workers who died at landfills last year.

State data presenting the number and frequency of work-related injuries, illnesses, and fatal injuries can be accessed here.

Across all workplaces, there were 5,190 fatal work injuries recorded in the United States in 2021, an 8.9-percent increase from 4,764 in 2020. The fatal work injury rate was 3.6 fatalities per 100,000 FTE, the highest annual rate since 2016. Transportation incidents remained the most frequent type of fatal event in 2021 with 1,982 fatal injuries, an increase of 11.5 percent from 2020.

Accidents in the News

Through 12/31/22

Grosse Pointe Park, MI – A 68-year-old was struck and killed when she walked in front of a recycling collection truck as it began moving from a stop. MORE

San Pedro, CA – At around 5 am, a 72-year-old pedestrian was crossing the street near an intersection when he was struck and killed by a collection vehicle. MORE

Live Oak, FL – A pick-up truck crossed the centerline and crashed head-on with a garbage truck, killing the 43-year-old driver of the pick-up. MORE

Elkton, MD – A 37-year-old contract worker was repairing a tarping unit at a landfill when the equipment fatally fell on him. MORE

Anderson County, SC – A garbage truck towing a backhoe went off the road and hit a tree, overturning and killing a 60-year-old worker in the vehicle who was partially ejected. MORE

2022 Injury and Illness Data Due to OSHA by March 2nd

The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration is reminding certain employers that the agency is collecting calendar year 2022 Form 300A data. Employers must submit the form electronically by March 2, 2023.

Establishments under Federal OSHA jurisdiction can use the ITA Coverage Application to determine if they are required to electronically report their injury and illness information to OSHA. Establishments under State Plan jurisdiction should contact their State Plan .

New Translations of OSHA Heat Illness Prevention Brochure

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) brochure, Prevent Heat Illness at Work, is now available in seven additional languages:

• Chinese Simplified
• Chinese Traditional
• Korean
• Polish
• Romanian
• Tagalog
• Vietnamese

As a reminder, the previously-released English and Spanish versions of this publication are also available.

2023 Safety Events

National Stand-Down to Prevent Struck-By Incidents
April 17 – 21, 2023
National
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Workers Memorial Day & National Day of Mourning
April 28, 2023
U.S. & Canada
U.S. – Click here to learn more>>
Canada – Click here to learn more>>

National Stand-Down to Prevent Falls
May 1 – 5, 2023
National
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National Forklift Safety Day
June 13, 2023
National
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Trench Safety Stand-Down
June 14 – 18, 2023
National
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