It is well known that the waste and recycling sector is one of the most dangerous sectors to work in. In fact, according to the HSE, in recent years, the industry has consistently ranked as the second most dangerous, after forestry and fishing, and far more hazardous than construction, in terms of accident fatality rates.
In general, incidents have ranged from slips and falls, increasing fires and explosions, serious injuries, to sadly fatal incidents. Many, if not all, of these involve moving vehicles or plant of some form or another. For too long, this has been seen as par for the course, but expert bodies are looking to put an end to this and raise awareness across the sector.
The risks are not confined to depots or waste facilities. Local authority fleets operate in highly public-facing environments, meaning incidents can involve – and affect – members of the public. Sadly, there have been cases where pedestrians have been injured or killed by waste vehicles.
In the opposite direction, there has been a worrying rise in incidents of hostility towards refuse staff, including both verbal and physical abuse. Body-worn cameras are now common for household waste recycling centre (HWRC) staff and kerbside waste collectors alike due to this trend.
Fleet safety is also being challenged by new and evolving hazards, including the continued disposal of vapes, electricals, and batteries in household bins which cause fires in waste lorries and facilities.
It remains incredibly difficult to identify those who are disposing of inappropriate items in bins, which in some cases have caused significant damage costing tens of thousands, damage to vehicles, infrastructure, strain on emergency services, and risks to health and safety. Unlike motorists, who can be easily identified and fined for driving and parking infractions, residents can’t easily be fined for causing a major explosion by binning their vapes and batteries.
Thus, the focus has to be on public awareness and education on correct recycling and the consequences of incorrect disposal, and the training of staff, sharing best practice and ensuring they are always alert and know how to manage the risks and incidents when they arise.
Trade bodies such as WISH (Waste Industry Safety and Health Forum) and its Scottish equivalent SWITCH (Scottish Waste Industry Training, Competency, Health & Safety Forum) have been closely monitoring the situation and have been working on this in partnership with APSE and other industry representatives, where we are spreading the word and working to ensure that it doesn’t have to be this way.
According to WISH, over 200 fires take place in waste facilities because of lithium batteries, and in vehicles, ranging from one a day to one a week. They have been putting out guidance on how to deal with battery fires on sites and are studying the situation with regard to vehicles. It is too early to tell whether the recent ban on single-use vapes has had an effect, but we have seen many authorities collect batteries and waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) at the kerbside. This approach has reduced fire incidents in authorities such as Dumfries and Galloway. Making it easier for residents is key, as is raising awareness. Many HWRCs now have dedicated vape containers, such as in Greater Manchester.
In August 2025, APSE hosted a dedicated Health and Safety webinar bringing together experts from WISH, SWITCH, and leading legal advisors to explore the latest legislative requirements, risk management strategies, and frontline safety measures for waste, recycling, and fleet operations. The event provided practical insights for local authority managers, covering topics from conflict resolution with the public to preventing fires in collection vehicles, and highlighted the importance of a proactive safety culture across all fleet services.
In dealing with the public, SWITCH has been working with councils in Scotland to mitigate the physical and mental toll on workers resulting from altercations with residents. Training includes conflict resolution skills and safety measures, as well as working with wider stakeholders to increase public awareness of recycling. If we are to make the industry a safer place to work, this involves everyone, from the public to frontline operatives and their managers.
To help waste, recycling, and allied fleet staff navigate these challenges, as well as upcoming legislative changes, APSE will be hosting its annual Waste, Recycling and Circular Economy Seminar on Thursday 23 October 2025 at the Nottingham Belfry Hotel. Speakers include the Circular Economy Minister at Defra and the Head of Waste Strategy for the Welsh Government – visit the APSE website to find out more.
This article was originally published in the Autumn 2025 issue of LAPV. Sign up here to receive your free copy of future issues.
