Safety
Safety Update 11/21
Today, SWANA National provided the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics 2020 Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses (SOII). The SOII presents estimates of counts and incidence rates of private industry employer-reported nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses.
Overall Solid waste landfill employees saw a positive change with decreases in injuries and illnesses in 2020, going down to 3.4 incidents per 100 full time employees, the lowest rate since 2006. The solid waste collection continued a three-year decline to 5.2 from 5.8 as well. Unfortunately, MRF incident rates increased from 3.6 to 5.1 in 2020. The table below represents this data from 2006 to 2020.
Safety Pledge
Take the SWANA Safety Pledge to show your commitment to protecting yourself and others from harm every day. Everyone is invited to take the pledge, whether a SWANA member or not. By taking this pledge, you are letting others in the industry know that you take everyone’s safety personally. Please consider signing the safety pledge today!
A Message From SWANA National:
On November 16, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) released the 2019 National Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries showing that refuse and recyclable materials collectors had the 6th deadliest occupation in the United States. SWANA issued a press release in response that has since been picked up by the trade press. Waste Dive Waste 360 Waste Advantage
A copy of the press release is attached and I encourage you to share this information with the Chapter members.
Collectors moving to 6th on the list of deadliest occupations is a slight improvement from being 5th, where it has been for the past several years. The workplace fatality rate for this group declined from 44.3 in 2018 to 35.2. This is still above the 2017 and 2016 rates which were 35.0 and 34.1, respectively.
Solid waste collection as an industry (NAICS 562111) saw a reduction in fatalities in 2019, with 43 worker deaths. This is down from 57 in 2018 but remains well above the average rate of 36.6 over the previous 8 years.
Fatalities at material recovery facilities (NAICS 562920) remained unchanged from the previous year with a total of 3. The data profile for solid waste landfills (NAICS 562212) does not show any fatalities listed for 2019. SWANA’s 2019 fatality report recorded 11 fatalities occurring at landfills, including several incidents involving landfill workers and contract employees. SWANA intends to reach out to BLS for additional clarification concerning its 2019 landfill employee category.
In November, BLS released 2019 employer-reported injury and illness data showing an increase in the injury and illness rate for landfill workers. Employees doing collection and at MRFs saw decreases in their incident rates last year.
The results of the 2019 worker fatality census and injury and illness data will be addressed at the virtual SWANA Safety Summit on February 25, 2021. SWANA’s 2020 fatality report will also be released as part of the Summit, followed by deep dives by industry safety experts into what this data means for collection and post-collection safety. Industry leaders will also gather to discuss their response to the pandemic along with lessons learned to prepare for future challenges. The SWANA Safety Summit will be an excellent opportunity for you to understand exactly where the industry stands and how we can do better.