The waste management and recycling industry is one of the most hazardous sectors in the UK and Scotland. According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), the sector experiences approximately 4,000 non-fatal injuries annually, and while fatalities have decreased in recent years, the industry still faces a high rate of serious accidents. In 2019/20, five fatal injuries were reported, down from an average of nine in previous years. By 2020/21, this number further decreased to three, but this may have been influenced by pandemic-related changes in work practices.
The waste and recycling industry has a fatal injury rate of 2.71 per 100,000 workers, second only to agriculture, which stands at 11.37. This figure starkly contrasts the average fatal injury rate for all industries, which is 0.42 per 100,000 workers, emphasising the risks faced by those in waste management.
Working in Waste Management: The Dangers
Waste management and recycling encompass a range of activities, including waste collection, sorting, and disposal. Each phase carries unique hazards, but many of the dangers overlap. Workers regularly face the risk of illness or injury when sorting waste and are also exposed to hazards in waste disposal sites, such as landfill and incineration facilities.
Common Types of Accidents in Waste Management and Recycling
- Contact with moving machinery
- Struck by moving vehicles
- Slips and trips
- Falling objects
- Injuries from manual handling
- Repetitive strain injuries
- Skin diseases due to exposure to hazardous materials
Waste Collection: A High-Risk Activity
Waste collection is one of the most dangerous jobs within the industry. Whether collecting household refuse, operating a skip service, or managing hazardous waste, workers face significant risks daily.
Waste collection compensation claims often arise from injuries caused by:
- Being struck by moving vehicles or machinery
- Lifting operations (e.g., a skip falling due to an insecurely attached hook)
- Manual handling, leading to musculoskeletal injuries
- Sharps injuries (e.g., needlestick injuries from hazardous waste)
- Industrial deafness, especially when collecting glass
- Slips, trips, and falls
Being struck by a moving vehicle accounted for 30% of the industry’s fatal accidents from 2015/16 to 2019/20, underscoring the dangers of working around heavy refuse trucks and mobile machinery.
Risk of Illness or Injury When Sorting Waste
Waste sorting, whether through mechanical processing or manual picking, is another hazardous aspect of the industry. Over the five-year period from 2015/16 to 2019/20, 30% of fatalities occurred from contact with moving machinery, while another 30% were due to being struck by a moving vehicle.
In addition to the risk of injury, there are significant types of illnesses contracted in waste and recycling. These illnesses can arise from contact with hazardous materials during sorting:
- Musculoskeletal disorders from manual handling and repetitive strain
- Skin diseases such as dermatitis caused by irritants like leaking battery acid
- Lung diseases from inhaling dust and other airborne materials
- Infections from exposure to rotting food, animal waste, needles, and clinical waste
According to the Health and Safety Executive, occupational skin diseases are a concern in the waste sorting sector. The most common cases include contact dermatitis, neoplasia, and other skin conditions caused by exposure to rubber materials, non-ionizing radiation, and friction.
Hazards in the Waste Disposal Sector: Landfill and Incineration
Hazards in the waste disposal sector are prominent at landfill and incineration sites. Despite concerns about sustainability, landfill sites continue to dominate waste disposal in the UK. Workers at these sites face numerous hazards, such as:
- Decomposing waste, which can generate toxic and flammable gases that may ignite and explode
- Moving vehicles, where accidents can occur between pedestrians and machinery due to poor route planning and lack of edge protection
Incineration, often used to dispose of hazardous materials like clinical waste, presents additional risks. Regulations are in place to protect workers and the environment from harmful substances released during the incineration process.
The major hazards associated with the waste disposal sector include:
- Inhalation of dangerous substances such as asbestos and toxic fumes
- Ingestion of hazardous materials
- Skin contact with caustic or hazardous substances, particularly through cuts and grazes
- Sharps injuries, where workers are punctured by needles or other sharp objects carrying harmful pathogens
Types of Illnesses Contracted in Waste and Recycling
Workers in the waste and recycling industry are exposed to harmful substances daily, which puts them at risk of developing work-related illnesses. Among the most common types of illnesses contracted in waste and recycling are:
- Musculoskeletal disorders (e.g., back pain) caused by incorrect manual handling
- Contact dermatitis from exposure to irritants or excessive hand washing
- Occupational lung diseases (e.g., asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) from inhaling airborne materials and dust
- Noise-induced hearing loss, especially from glass collection operations
- Skin cancer due to prolonged sun exposure while working outdoors
Between 2010 and 2019/20, around 5,000 waste workers annually suffered an illness they believed was caused or made worse by their job, with musculoskeletal disorders and respiratory diseases topping the list.
Your Right to Compensation
If you or a loved one has been injured or contracted an illness due to unsafe working conditions in the waste and recycling industry, you may be entitled to compensation. Waste collection compensation claims and claims for injuries or illnesses contracted during waste sorting, disposal, or handling hazardous materials can help secure financial support for your recovery.
At Thompsons Solicitors, we specialise in workplace accident claims, helping workers get the compensation they deserve. We operate on a No Win No Fee basis, which means there is no financial risk in pursuing a claim.
If you have been affected, contact our expert lawyers today to discuss your case and take the first step towards receiving the compensation you are entitled to.
