Occupational injuries and Illnesses in the solid waste industry: A call for action

Though the United States of America generates the largest amount of solid wastes among developed countries, very little research has been done or published on Work-related injuries and illnesses in the solid waste industry. Objective: To determine and raise awareness about the pattern of occupational injuries and illnesses in the U.S. solid waste industry using a major private solid waste management company as a case study. Methods: A review of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration logs 300/300A/301 was used to conduct a retrospective five-year (2003-2007) study of self-reported injuries and illnesses among employees (n = 1895) in thirty seven establishments of the company located in eleven states of the United States of America. Analysis was done based on the different job categories. Results: The rates of injuries and illnesses, days away from work, days on job transfer or job restrictions due to occupational injuries and illnesses were higher among employees of the company when compared to both the solid waste industry average and employees in other industries with similar nature of jobs. Conclusions: Work-related injuries and illnesses are multi-factorial and remain major growing problems of public health magnitude requiring the attention of all stakeholders in the solid waste industry.