Injuries in waste sector falling

The number of people injured whilst working in the waste sector has fallen by 23 per cent, new Health and Safety Executive (HSE) figures have shown.

The provisional ‘Health and Safety statistics 2012/13’ found that there were a total of 2864 injuries in the waste and recycling sector; 2141 in the ‘waste collection, treatment and disposal activities; materials recovery’ sector (of which 500 were ‘non-fatal major injuries’ and 1,632 were ‘over-7 day injuries’), and 51 in the ‘remediation activities and other waste management services’ sector (of which, 17 were deemed ‘non-fatal major injuries’).

HSE also found that there were 65 injuries to people working in the ‘repair of computers and personal household goods’.

Despite the fall in injuries however, figures released earlier this year (and confirmed in the 2012/13 annual statistics) found that there were almost double the number of fatalities between April 2012 and March 2013 than there were the year before.

WISH blueprint

According to the figures, the waste and recycling sector is still deemed the third most dangerous sector to work in (in regards to likelihood of injury), with there being 369.8 major injuries per 100,000 employees. Construction and agriculture are the only two sectors where workers had a higher likelihood of injury, with rates of 156 and 239.4, respectively.

Graeme Walker, Head of HSE’s Waste and Recycling sector, said: "This is a diverse and multi-faceted industry with many different issues and challenges.  

"The increase in workers killed is both disappointing and worrying. Although the number of deaths has fluctuated greatly year on year over the last five years, the industry needs to make a concerted effort to end that cycle of yearly variation and bring about sustained improved performance year on year."

Walker pointed to the Executive's 'five prong-plan’, which is aimed at driving down the number of people killed and seriously injured in the waste and recycling industry.

The ‘Waste Industry Safety and Health (WISH) blueprint 2013-15’, published on 7 June, outlines 24 ‘immediate action points’ that need to be taken to provide clearer training and safer workplaces.

Key initiatives listed in the blueprint include: 

• producing agreed safety leadership standards for the waste management  industry and guidance on ‘what safety leadership looks like and how it is demonstrated’;
• developing sharable training materials for promoting and enhancing worker engagement
• publishing case studies and real life examples of ‘the positive impact of improved workforce competence, including examples of industry best practice and the potential business benefits’; and
• developing guidance and support on Health surveillance (monitoring/screening).

Walker said: "HSE is committed to continuing to work with all parts of the industry to drive down the number of lives lost, notably supporting the Waste Industry Health and Safety (WISH) Forum in delivering its WISH Blueprint of actions launched earlier this year. Long-term sustainable improvements rely on strong industry leadership and that is what is needed."

Overall picture of workplace fatalities

Despite the increase in waste sector deaths, overall, the HSE figures for 2012/13 show an overall fall in workplace fatalities, with 141 people reported as fatally injured in the financial year, down from 171 in 2011/12.

Further, there was an 11 per cent drop in ‘major’ injuries (such as amputations, fractures and burns) across all sectors, compared to 2011/12 (from 22,000 to 19,700) .

Workplace injuries and ill-health (excluding work-related cancer) cost society an estimated £13.8 billion in 2010/11 compared with £16.3 billion in 2006/07, the HSE concluded.

Speaking of the figures, Chair of HSE, Judith Hackitt said: “This year’s figures demonstrate that Britain continues to be improve its health and safety performance, with important falls in the number of workers fatally injured and the number of employees suffering major injuries. 

“But we still see too many deaths and injuries occur in the work place many of which could have been prevented through simple safety measures. Getting this right is the key to ensuring that everyone can make it home safely at the end of their working day. 

“As the economy grows, new and inexperienced additions to the workforce can increase in the risk of injuries to workers. We’re committed to helping employers understand that health and safety is about sensibly and proportionately managing risks and ensuring people understand the risks involved not creating unnecessary paperwork.”

Read the full ‘Health and Safety statistics 2012/13’.