Injury Risks for Waste Collectors

When To File A Personal Injury Claim

Waste collection is a tough but essential job and potential injury risks for waste collectors include various factors. These can include possible traffic accidents, heavy lifting and exposure to hazardous chemicals and materials.

Employers have the responsibility to keep their workers safe. But when they fail to do this, preventable accidents can happen. Providing proper equipment, training and working conditions are crucial in keeping waste collectors safe. Additionally, if there is a third party you may be eligible to claim for compensation. This may include injury from a traffic accident, or injury sustained from a property, for example toxic materials left out for collection.

If you are a waste collector and have suffered from an injury through no fault of your own, Jefferies Claims may be able to help.

Six Top Injury Risks for Waste Collectors

Heavy Lifting and Musculoskeletal Injuries

Rubbish bags, bins, and bulky waste are heavy to lift and carry. So, lifting these heavy objects daily can take a serious toll on a waste collector’s body. Over a prolonged period, this leads to back pain, muscle strains, and even long-term joint damage. Musculoskeletal injuries may well top the list and when workers are forced to move quickly to keep up with tight schedules, the risk only increases.

Slips, Trips, and Falls

Waste collectors deal with all kinds of terrain. Whether it’s wet roads, icy sidewalks, or uneven surfaces. Slipping on a slick patch or tripping over debris is a daily reality. Falls can lead to anything from minor bruises to serious head injuries or broken bones.

Cuts, Punctures, and Exposure to Hazardous Materials

From broken glass and rusty nails to used syringes and sharp metal scraps, you can handle a lot of dangerous objects. As a result, you may end up with a deep cut or a nasty infection. Alternatively, exposure to toxic chemicals and biohazards carries its own risks. Even pests like rats and insects that can carry diseases can pose a hazrd to your health.

Vehicle-Related Accidents

Bin lorries operate in busy streets and sometimes in the dark. Drivers and crew members are at constant risk of being hit by passing cars, especially if proper safety measures aren’t in place. Additionally, you face the dangers of working with the bin lorries themselves. Crushing accidents, malfunctioning equipment, and rollovers are all real concerns for any waste collector.

Repetitive Motion Injuries

Doing the same motion over and over – lifting bags, throwing trash, jumping on and off the bin lorry – can lead to repetitive strain injuries. Conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome, tendinitis, and chronic joint pain aren’t uncommon among long-time waste collectors.

Extreme Weather Conditions

Come rain, snow, or scorching heat, you have to be out there doing your job. Extreme cold can lead to frostbite and hypothermia, while excessive heat increases the risk of heat exhaustion and dehydration.

Proper Training and Safe Equipment

Most waste employers follow strict health and safety measures for their workers. But some may fail to prioritise worker safety. This can include a lack of proper training, inadequate protective gear, unsafe equipment or poor lorry maintenance.

Because waste collection happens on the street, workers are at risk of being struck by passing vehicles. Employers should provide high-visibility uniforms, proper lighting, and even safety barriers in high-traffic areas. Collectors often work on tight schedules, so overworking or not allowing proper breaks, may also increase the risk of injury as they may rush to get the job done.

When Can a Waste Collector File a Personal Injury Claim?

While workers’ compensation covers some workplace injuries, there are cases where a waste collector may seek to file a personal injury claim instead. This usually happens when the injury is due to extreme employer negligence or third-party involvement. Here are some examples:

• Employer’s Intentional Misconduct – If an employer knowingly forces you into unsafe conditions, such as using broken equipment or ignoring safety protocols.
• Third-Party Liability – If you are injured because of a reckless driver, defective equipment from a manufacturer, or unsafe property conditions (such as hazardous materials left out by a business), you may have a case against the responsible party.
• Failure to Provide Workers’ Compensation – Some employers try to misclassify workers as independent contractors to avoid giving them workers’ comp. If you have been denied proper benefits but have sustained an injury, you may seek compensation through a personal injury claim.
• Gross Negligence Leading to Severe Harm – In extreme cases, such as a fatal accident or life-altering injury caused by repeated employer negligence, a worker (or their family) may pursue a claim for damages beyond workers’ compensation coverage.

With expert advice and dedicated support, we can ensure you get the support you need on a ‘No Win, No Fee’ basis. Reach out now to take the first step towards making your claim. Our team will guide you through the claims process and we partner with experienced lawyers who will assess your case. Call us for free at 0333 358 3034 or visit Jefferies Claims Contact Us Page to learn more and we can call you back at a time suitable for you.