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Injuries among solid waste collectors in the private versus public sectors.

Bunn TL; Slavova S; Tang M

Waste Manag Res 2011 Oct; 29(10):1043-1052

https://doi.org/10.1177/0734242x11410115

20040361

Solid waste collection is among the occupations with the highest risk for injuries and illnesses. Solid waste collector injuries were characterized in terms of injury risk and employment industry sector (public versus private) using Kentucky workers' compensation first reports of injury and claims data. When compared to 35-44-year-old workers, solid waste collectors who were under 35 years of age were less likely to have a workers' compensation first report of injury or claim that resulted in awarded benefits. The probability that a workers' compensation first report of injury or claim would result in an awarded benefit was higher if the worker was employed as a solid waste collector in the private sector compared to the public sector, or was injured due to a motor vehicle-related injury or a push-or-pull type of injury. A better understanding of the differences in the contributing factors for an injury that results in a first report of injury or claim with awarded benefits (e.g., job activities, new and refresher worker safety training, type of equipment used, differences in collection vehicle automation, and differential reporting of injuries on the job) between the public and private sectors is necessary to target injury prevention strategies in this high-risk occupation.

Humans; Men; Women; Waste-disposal; Injuries; Risk-factors; Age-groups; Injury-prevention; Statistical-analysis; Author Keywords: Solid waste; injuries; public sector; private sector; age

Terry Bunn, Kentucky Injury Prevention and Research Center, 333 Waller Ave., Suite 242, Lexington, KY 40504

WMARD8

20111001

Journal Article

tlbunn2@uky.edu

Cooperative Agreement

2012

Cooperative-Agreement-Number-U60-OH-008483

10

0734-242X

Waste Management & Research

KY

University of Kentucky