Last month, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics released its 2014 National Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries data, with the solid waste industry showing a slight downturn in worker fatalities. Key findings in the report place refuse and recyclable materials collectors fifth on the list of the top 10 industries with the highest fatality rates. Initial findings report a total of 27 fatalities for 2014, down from a total of 33 fatalities in the revised 2013 report.
Over the past few months, SWANA has increased its focus on safety in its commitment to remove waste collection workers from the list of the top 10 deadliest occupations. Frequent safety webinars, an expanded Safety Summit during its annual WASTECON庐 conference last month, and a forthcoming initiative to collect safety data from municipalities are only a few of the ways SWANA plans to help reduce accidents and injuries in the industry.
“The downturn in collection worker fatalities is welcome, but it is still the fifth most dangerous job in the United States,鈥� said SWANA Executive Director and CEO David Biderman. 鈥淪WANA will continue to expand its efforts to deliver meaningful safety training and offer new safety resources that employers and employees, in both the public and private sectors, can use to reduce fatalities, accidents and injuries in the industry.”
The full 2014 National Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries report can be at .
For more on SWANA鈥檚 growing safety program, visit .