SEATTLE (Recycling Monster): The fatality rate for waste and recycling collection workers decreased slightly in 2024, according to newly released data from the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics. The category was ranked the fifth deadliest occupation in 2024, with 37.4 fatalities per 100,000 employees. That’s compared to a rate of 41.4 in 2023, when it was ranked fourth deadliest.

In 2024, BLS counted 36 fatalities in the broad “refuse and recyclable material collectors” category. There were 32 fatal occupational injuries in 2024 in the related “solid waste collection” subcategory, 23 of which were linked to transportation incidents. That’s compared with 35 solid waste collection deaths in 2023 and 31 in 2022.

Deaths at MRFs fell slightly from nine in 2023 to eight in 2024, with four of those fatalities considered transportation incidents. BLS also reported nine fatalities from the broad waste treatment and disposal category.

The latest fatality data shows a year of improvement for the waste sector, though industry groups say continued efforts in training, adoption of safety technology and wider worker awareness could help get the industry off the top 10 list of most dangerous jobs. 

The industries with higher fatality rates than the waste industry in 2024 were logging; fishing and hunting; roofing; and structural iron and steel, according to BLS data.

Courtesy: www.wastedive.com