US Bureau of Labor Statistics releases industry fatality data
US Bureau of Labor Statistics releases industry fatality data
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The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) has released its final figures for 2015 industry and occupational fatality data. In its “2015 Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries Summary,” BLS states that refuse and recyclable material collectors ranked fifth among American workers in terms of workplace fatalities, with a total of 33 fatalities in 2015, up from 27 in 2014 and from 33 in 2013.
The National Waste & Recycling Association (NWRA) says its analysis of the data shows that much of this increase was attributable to an increase in fatalities in the private sector. For refuse and recyclable material collectors in the private sector, fatalities increased from 18 the prior year to 24, while fatalities in the public sector held steady at nine. Both the private and public sectors are one fatality greater their five-year average. The incidence rate moved upward to 38.8 fatalities per 100,000 workers from 35.8 in 2014.
BLS also analyzes data by industry, and in the industry defined as solid waste collection decreased by 10 percent to 36 fatalities in 2015—27 in the private sector and nine in the public sector. The data show that the refuse and recyclable material collectors occupation account for three-fourths of the fatalities in the solid waste collection industry.
The private landfill industry, after not having any fatalities in the past two years, incurred nine fatalities in 2015. Private material recovery facilities incurred three fatalities in 2015, an increase from zero fatalities the prior year.
Both private and public sector waste and recycling operations had 50 fatalities in 2015, an increase from 40 in 2014 that was driven up mainly by fatalities at the landfill. The last time this number was 50 or higher was in 2008, when 54 fatalities occurred.
Nationally, across all industries tracked by BLS, including government, fatalities rose slightly (0.3 percent) in 2015 to 4, 836. For all private industries, fatalities fell to 4,379 in 2015 from 4,386 the previous year.
NWRA, which represents private industry waste and recycling companies nationwide, says it has spearheaded a comprehensive industrywide series of initiatives in concert with its member companies aimed at reducing fatalities, injuries and accidents. In March 2016, NWRA led a Safety Summit with leading safety professionals in the private waste and recycling industry, adopting a three-year strategic plan designed to reduce the rates of fatality, injuries and accidents through industry wide measurement, collaboration and process improvement.
An NWRA data task force that was formed during the summit is engaged in improving current data metrics used with the industry as part of its long-term plan to reduce fatalities, injuries and accidents.
“Today’s release of BLS industry and occupational fatality data supports our urgency to improve safety performance nationwide with a special emphasis on front-line workers,” says NWRA Interim-CEO Kevin Kraushaar. “Safety is a top priority for NWRA, and with that our members are committed to sharing best practices and working together on a road map that we expect will save lives, reduce injuries and lower incident rates.”
Beginning with the 2015 reference year, final data from the Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) will be released in December—four months earlier than in past years. The final 2015 CFOI data were scheduled for release Dec. 16, 2016. This December release is the only release of CFOI data for 2015. A similar schedule will be followed in subsequent years. Preliminary releases, which normally appeared in August or September in past years will no longer be produced.
Just this week, NWRA carried out the third in its ongoing national series of safety professional development events. This series is aimed at sharing knowledge, strategies and best practices with members and nonmembers to improve safety cultures, have participants learn from case studies and from one another while seeking to further elevate safety programs, the organization says.
NWRA is the standard developing organization for ANSI (American National Standards Institute) standards in the waste and recycling industry. Throughout 2016, the ASC Z245 has begun the process of creating a standard on landfill safety. The numbers released today demonstrate how the proactive efforts around the ASC Z245 are making the industry safer, the NWRA says.
Over the past three years, NWRA and its chapters nationwide have championed “Slow Down to Get Around” legislation, which is now the law in 10 states and under consideration in several more. These laws require motorists to slow down when waste and recycling collection vehicles are stopped and workers are getting on and off of the vehicle, just as motorists are required to slow down in construction work zones, to stop for school buses or to pull over for emergency vehicles.
“NWRA is completely committed to achieving a positive and robust safety culture industrywide,” says NWRA National Safety Director Anthony Hargis. “We’re pleased to work with our members and our partners to move the needle on safety for our workers and the communities that our industry serves.”
Among the initiatives that the NWRA and its members have undertaken to improve safety for workers in the waste and recycling industry are:
- hosting safety seminars in cities nationwide for haulers, processors and other stakeholders in the waste and recycling collection process;
- developing safety manuals for use by drivers and workers in the industry;
- creating the first-of-its-kind Driver Certification program for waste and recycling collection vehicle operators;
- temporary worker safety training;
- Safety Monday, a bi-lingual poster sent each week to member companies with important practical tips to prevent accident and injury;
- commercial vehicle safety inspection briefings and demonstrations; and
- online safety webinars and education sessions at industry conferences to promote sharing of best practices.
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Source: Recycling Today
US Bureau of Labor Statistics releases industry fatality data
<![CDATA[The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) has released its final figures for 2015 industry and occupational fatality data. In its “2015 Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries Summary,” BLS states that refuse and recyclable material collectors ranked fifth among American workers in terms of workplace fatalities, with a total of 33 fatalities in 2015, up from 27 in 2014 and from 33 in 2013. The National Waste & Recycling Association (NWRA) says its analysis of the data shows that much of this increase was attributable to an increase in fatalities in the private sector. For refuse and recyclable material collectors in the private sector, fatalities increased from 18 the prior year to 24, while fatalities in the public sector held steady at nine. Both the private and public sectors are one fatality greater their five-year average. The incidence rate moved upward to 38.8 fatalities per 100,000 workers from 35.8 in 2014. BLS also analyzes data by industry, and in the industry defined as solid waste collection decreased by 10 percent to 36 fatalities in 2015—27 in the private sector and nine in the public sector. The data show that the refuse and recyclable material collectors occupation account for three-fourths of…