‘Difficult and dangerous’

Refuse worker deaths increased by 50 per cent in 2017 new figures show, with staff facing 1,000 incidents of dangerous driving by members of the public everyday.

Figures from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), which do not include deaths from causes such as asbestos related diseases, show that 12 refuse workers died during accidents in 2017, up from 8 in 2016.

The data also shows that workers in the waste and recycling sector are 16 times more likely to be injured than the average across all industries – meaning jobs in the sector are some of the most dangerous in the country.

Making an already hazardous job even more risky is the 360,000 dangerous driving incidents reported by refuse workers each year – that’s 1,000 incidents everyday.

CCTV footage from dustcarts released by the Biffa waste management firm reveals the hazards refuse workers face on the job, including having to dive out of the way of vehicles mounting pavements, verges and curbs while overtaking bin lorries.

Despite the risk to life and limb, the average salary of a refuse worker – £19,482 – has dropped by 7.4 per cent in real terms since 2011 because of freezes to public sector pay.

Unite national officer for local authorities Jim Kennedy said, “The country would grind to a halt without refuse workers making sure our communities are clean and free from hazards.

“Refuse workers’ jobs are difficult and dangerous enough without reckless drivers putting their lives at risk.

“A single death is far too many, but 12 in a year – a 50 percent increase on the year before – is completely unacceptable and with 1,000 incidents of dangerous driving everyday clearly there is a correlation.

“Along with a pay rise that reflects the hard work and dedication refuse workers show, motorists need be made aware that they must consider the safety of staff when they pass bin lorries.

“Additionally, careless or reckless drivers who endanger the lives of refuse workers must be held accountable in court.”