Wheeled bins can reduce refuse worker absence

The research by Dr David Thomas from the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health's (IOSH) Environmental and Waste Management Group and the University of Greenwich examined the relationship between the use of recycling and waste management systems and absence rates among Local Authority waste collection workers due to MSDs.

MSDs include any injury, damage or disorder of the joints or other tissues in the upper or lower limbs or the back and can be worsened by workplace conditions.

The research demonstrates that the use of wheeled bins is associated with lower staff absences due to MSDs, in comparison to the use of boxes, baskets and sacks. Even lower absences were linked to the use of a larger four-wheeled bin, when handled by two workers.

The researchers used staff absence data from 15 Local Authorities in the UK who provided records with information about workers’ roles. This allowed for absence rates to be calculated in relation to job type. Using a software platform, the team identified statistically significant relationships between types of waste collection services by comparing absence rates for MSDs with non-MSDs for each primary job role.

Dr David Thomas said: “This study shows that there is a clear pattern between the type of waste collection management systems procured by Local Authorities and staff absences, providing a method which can be used by organisations to identify relationships between work and ill health absence in order to improve health and safety working conditions.

“There are over 60,000 waste collection workers in the UK and employers should evaluate ill health risks before new waste collections systems are adopted and rolled out. They should also monitor absence rates specific to work activity to ensure that they move to more sustainable systems that create less MSDs."

Andy Robertson, Chair of the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health’s Environmental and Waste Management Group, said: "Figures released by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) show around 70% of all workers in the Waste Management industry are involved in municipal household and commercial collections. These collections account for about 80% of all the reported injuries, with the most common being musculoskeletal disorders.

"It is hoped that Local Authorities who still use boxes and bags not only take notice of the research results, but importantly take action to reduce risk to those collecting waste on their behalf by changing to wheelie bins."

The research was published in the Resources, Conservation and Recycling journal.