Recycling industry ranked among ten most deadly occupations - but it doesn't have to be that way

by Tracy Shaw, Canadian Association of Recycling Industries  

Most recyclers will tell you that the recycling industry is a risky business. Speculating, buying and selling material often requires taking a gamble. But every day in their facilities recyclers are risking more than money – owners, their employees and their customers are risking their health and safety each time they step foot in a facility.   

Time and again, we see headlines declaring ours one of the most dangerous industries in which to work. Time and again, we read articles about another fatality at a recycling facility. Time and again, recyclers think; “It will never happen here.”

The truth is that working at a recycling facility means being exposed to a wide range of potential dangers – from the seemingly innocuous to the potentially fatal.   

According to the International Labour Organization, the most common injuries in recycling facilities are cuts and abrasions, strains, particles in the eye, and repetitive motion. Such injuries are common in almost any workplace. Yet our industry is consistently ranked among the ten most deadly occupations, and with good reason. The equipment and material we manage and the procedures we undertake to move and process material separates us from the “average” workplace.    

Recyclers know the dangers in their yards. If asked, most recyclers could produce a list of the biggest safety hazards in their daily operations, which might look something like the following: unguarded shears, equipment, and machines; maintenance of machines and equipment (Lock Out/Tag Out); tarping, binding and picking loads; traffic patterns and pedestrians; improper use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE); slips and falls; confined spaces; torch work; exposure to toxins; and poor hazard communication. 

So if we know the dangers in our industry, operating a safe workplace should be common sense. Why are we still in such a deadly place?

Proclaiming a “Safety First” message is meaningless unless it is backed by the actions of a company’s top management and its owners. Employers have an obligation to enforce and follow a culture of safety in order for their employees and customers to do the same. 

The health and safety of workers depends on their thorough training and supervision. They must be trained in the proper use of protective gear, as well as the correct use and maintenance of equipment.

Statistically, young and inexperienced workers are the most likely to become injured on the job. On the other hand, experienced workers can easily develop risky habits and take dangerous shortcuts.

Safety training should be ongoing for all employees. Well-trained workers will respect the equipment and procedures because they understand the importance of these safety measures. Employees deserve a safe workplace, but they also have an obligation to follow safe work practices.

To maintain a true culture of safety, managers and supervisors must follow through and enforce their employees’ compliance with safety rules and regulations.  Maintaining a culture of safety means the entire workplace takes all potential hazards seriously. It means identifying and resolving health and safety concerns. It means empowering workers with the knowledge that performing a task safely is more important than performing a task quickly. 

Clearly, knowing the hazards in our workplace is not enough. Acting on that knowledge – creating a safety culture in the workplace – is the only way to protect employees and customers from harm. We must make safety a priority in our industry. There’s too much at risk.  

Tracy Shaw is the Manager,  Communications & Membership, CARI Canadian Association of  Recycling Industries (CARI)