BLS: Waste Collection Injury Rate Drops, but Illnesses Surge

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) this week released its 2023 report on non-fatal injuries and illnesses, offering a mixed update for the waste collection industry. While the injury rate among waste collection workers saw a modest decline—from 4.7 injuries per 100 full-time workers in 2022 to 4.4 in 2023—illnesses rose sharply, with rates more than doubling over the previous year.

This increase, for which the federal agency has not yet provided an explanation, suggests that there are still significant challenges in creating safer environments for the essential workers in the solid waste industry. Overall, the 7,800 recorded injuries in 2023 underscore the continued physical demands and risks inherent to this critical work.

Intelligent route planning is a powerful tool in reducing these risks. By minimizing dangerous turns, limiting reversing, and discouraging meandering across busy streets, waste haulers can significantly cut down the likelihood of accidents and injuries on the job.

David Biderman, a Solid Waste Industry Expert, sees a hopeful trend in injury reduction but stresses the importance of smart routing:

“The decline in collection and landfill worker injuries during 2023 is welcome and marks a resumption of the long-term decline the industry has experienced over the past two decades,” said Biderman of Biderman Consulting, LLC. “Routing trucks to avoid dangerous intersections and maneuvers on the route is one tool that companies and local governments can use to reduce injury risk and collisions.”

The BLS is expected to release its annual workplace fatality report for 2023 on December 19, likely highlighting the ongoing dangers of waste collection. Waste collection has one of the highest workplace fatality rates in the U.S., and companies that invest in advanced route optimization solutions, including in-cab navigation, typically see better safety outcomes.

These tools enable drivers to focus fully on the road without needing to manually check directions, reducing risks associated with left turns, backing up, and distractions.

 “Common sense would make you think that if a driver doesn’t need to look something up on a computer or look at a piece of paper to determine where their next stop is, they’ll likely be more focused on safety,” Biderman said. “Companies that design routes to minimize hazards, like reducing backing up and avoiding garbage pickups under power lines, generally have better safety records.”

Safety is paramount at RouteSmart. Our route planning solutions are specifically designed to keep drivers and operators safe, avoiding high-risk situations that require reversing or dangerous maneuvers, such as U-turns on busy roads. Routing trucks to collect from the right side of the street further minimizes exposure to cross-traffic and the dangers of meandering across busy roads.

RouteSmart’s Senior Business Development Manager, Jessica Cearfoss, sees this focus as a key driver of safer collection processes: “We receive many inquiries from clients about how the software manages critical maneuvers, traffic patterns, and vehicle size requirements. Our goal is to approach route planning thoughtfully, ensuring our software supports not just efficient, but also safe, routing for collection crews.”

As the industry looks to improve safety, Biderman offers additional tips for reducing accidents: avoid distractions, drive defensively, complete full stops at intersections, and check mirrors multiple times before turning. Joining safety organizations also provides access to critical resources for ongoing safety education.

By focusing on safe routes and industry best practices, companies can help ensure waste collection workers come home safely each day.

About the Author

Matthew Kemeny

Communications Manager

With more than 20 years’ experience in communications and journalism, Matt leads internal and external communications efforts as part of our sales and marketing team. With a specialty in storytelling, Matt always looks for innovative ways to broadcast our message and relishes the opportunity to convey the stories of our employees, clients and partners.