Waste and Recycling Accident Claims Lawyers

The waste management and recycling industry is one of the most hazardous sectors in the UK and Scotland. According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), the sector experiences approximately 4,000 non-fatal injuries annually, and while fatalities have decreased in recent years, the industry still faces a high rate of serious accidents. In 2019/20, five fatal injuries were reported, down from an average of nine in previous years. By 2020/21, this number further decreased to three, but this may have been influenced by pandemic-related changes in work practices.

The waste and recycling industry has a fatal injury rate of 2.71 per 100,000 workers, second only to agriculture, which stands at 11.37. This figure starkly contrasts the average fatal injury rate for all industries, which is 0.42 per 100,000 workers, emphasising the risks faced by those in waste management.

Working in Waste Management: The Dangers

Waste management and recycling encompass a range of activities, including waste collection, sorting, and disposal. Each phase carries unique hazards, but many of the dangers overlap. Workers regularly face the risk of illness or injury when sorting waste and are also exposed to hazards in waste disposal sites, such as landfill and incineration facilities.

Common Types of Accidents in Waste Management and Recycling

Contact with moving machinery
Struck by moving vehicles
Slips and trips
Falling objects
Injuries from manual handling
Repetitive strain injuries
Skin diseases due to exposure to hazardous materials

Waste Collection: A High-Risk Activity

Waste collection is one of the most dangerous jobs within the industry. Whether collecting household refuse, operating a skip service, or managing hazardous waste, workers face significant risks daily.

Waste collection compensation claims often arise from injuries caused by:

Being struck by moving vehicles or machinery
Lifting operations (e.g., a skip falling due to an insecurely attached hook)
Manual handling, leading to musculoskeletal injuries
Sharps injuries (e.g., needlestick injuries from hazardous waste)
Industrial deafness, especially when collecting glass
Slips, trips, and falls

Being struck by a moving vehicle accounted for 30% of the industry’s fatal accidents from 2015/16 to 2019/20, underscoring the dangers of working around heavy refuse trucks and mobile machinery.

Risk of Illness or Injury When Sorting Waste

Waste sorting, whether through mechanical processing or manual picking, is another hazardous aspect of the industry. Over the five-year period from 2015/16 to 2019/20, 30% of fatalities occurred from contact with moving machinery, while another 30% were due to being struck by a moving vehicle.

In addition to the risk of injury, there are significant types of illnesses contracted in waste and recycling. These illnesses can arise from contact with hazardous materials during sorting:

Musculoskeletal disorders from manual handling and repetitive strain
Skin diseases such as dermatitis caused by irritants like leaking battery acid
Lung diseases from inhaling dust and other airborne materials
Infections from exposure to rotting food, animal waste, needles, and clinical waste

According to the Health and Safety Executive, occupational skin diseases are a concern in the waste sorting sector. The most common cases include contact dermatitis, neoplasia, and other skin conditions caused by exposure to rubber materials, non-ionizing radiation, and friction.

Hazards in the Waste Disposal Sector: Landfill and Incineration

Hazards in the waste disposal sector are prominent at landfill and incineration sites. Despite concerns about sustainability, landfill sites continue to dominate waste disposal in the UK. Workers at these sites face numerous hazards, such as:

Decomposing waste, which can generate toxic and flammable gases that may ignite and explode
Moving vehicles, where accidents can occur between pedestrians and machinery due to poor route planning and lack of edge protection

Incineration, often used to dispose of hazardous materials like clinical waste, presents additional risks. Regulations are in place to protect workers and the environment from harmful substances released during the incineration process.

The major hazards associated with the waste disposal sector include:

Inhalation of dangerous substances such as asbestos and toxic fumes
Ingestion of hazardous materials
Skin contact with caustic or hazardous substances, particularly through cuts and grazes
Sharps injuries, where workers are punctured by needles or other sharp objects carrying harmful pathogens

Types of Illnesses Contracted in Waste and Recycling

Workers in the waste and recycling industry are exposed to harmful substances daily, which puts them at risk of developing work-related illnesses. Among the most common types of illnesses contracted in waste and recycling are:

Musculoskeletal disorders (e.g., back pain) caused by incorrect manual handling
Contact dermatitis from exposure to irritants or excessive hand washing
Occupational lung diseases (e.g., asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) from inhaling airborne materials and dust
Noise-induced hearing loss, especially from glass collection operations
Skin cancer due to prolonged sun exposure while working outdoors

Between 2010 and 2019/20, around 5,000 waste workers annually suffered an illness they believed was caused or made worse by their job, with musculoskeletal disorders and respiratory diseases topping the list.

Your Right to Compensation

If you or a loved one has been injured or contracted an illness due to unsafe working conditions in the waste and recycling industry, you may be entitled to compensation. Waste collection compensation claims and claims for injuries or illnesses contracted during waste sorting, disposal, or handling hazardous materials can help secure financial support for your recovery.

At Thompsons Solicitors, we specialise in workplace accident claims, helping workers get the compensation they deserve. We operate on a No Win No Fee basis, which means there is no financial risk in pursuing a claim.

If you have been affected, contact our expert lawyers today to discuss your case and take the first step towards receiving the compensation you are entitled to.