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U.S. refuse-worker safety reference

110 Waste Collection Safety Statistics: Refuse Worker Facts

Waste collection is physical, vehicle-adjacent work. This guide separates the national fatal-injury data from O*NET’s work-context profile, then gives readers the supporting facts without turning them into a substitute for an employer’s safety program.

Published by
Wastemanagement Jobs Editorial Team
Last source check
Coverage
United States; BLS 2024–2025 occupational data and O*NET collector profile
Source policy: Each fact links to BLS or O*NET and retains the source year. This is context, not safety training, a legal requirement or a site-specific procedure.

At a glance

The numbers worth knowing first

36

fatal work injuries in 2024

BLS recorded this occupation-level count for refuse and recyclable-material collectors.

BLS fatal-injury chart

37.4

fatal injuries per 100,000 FTE workers

This is BLS’s 2024 occupation rate, which is a population measure rather than an individual prediction.

BLS fatal-injury chart

310

refuse-truck-associated fatalities from 2012–2022

NIOSH reports this historical total across the stated period in its prevention guide.

NIOSH refuse-truck guide

110 sourced facts, organised by the questions readers actually ask. The supporting detail follows the quick picture above.

Fatal-work-injury data

What the fatal-injury numbers show

BLS reports occupation-level fatal-work-injury counts and rates. Those figures describe a population over a year; they do not predict the experience of an individual worker, route or company.

Start with these facts for the clearest national comparison, then use current employer training and procedures for actual work decisions.

  1. Hand laborers and material movers manually move freight, stock, or other materials.BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook · 2025
  2. Refuse and recyclable material collectors gather garbage and recyclables from homes and businesses.BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook · 2025
  3. Refuse and recyclable material collectors transport collected materials to a dump, landfill, or recycling center.BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook · 2025
  4. Many refuse collectors lift garbage cans by hand and empty them into their truck.BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook · 2025
  5. Some refuse collectors drive garbage or recycling trucks along scheduled routes.BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook · 2025
  6. Some collectors use a hydraulic lift to empty a dumpster into the truck.BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook · 2025
  7. Hand laborers and material movers manually move or sort goods according to a plan or schedule.BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook · 2025
  8. Hand laborers and material movers pack or wrap products by hand.BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook · 2025
  9. Hand laborers and material movers keep records of goods they move, package, or sort.BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook · 2025
  10. Hand laborers and material movers signal machine operators to help move goods.BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook · 2025
  11. Hand laborers and material movers clean vehicles, machinery, and other equipment.BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook · 2025
  12. Refuse and recyclable material collectors lift heavy garbage containers.BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook · 2025
  13. Hand laborers and material movers work in stockrooms, warehouses, manufacturing plants, and other settings.BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook · 2025
  14. The work involves lifting and carrying heavy objects.BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook · 2025
  15. The work is usually repetitive and physically demanding.BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook · 2025
  16. Workers may need to bend, kneel, crouch, or crawl in awkward positions.BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook · 2025
  17. Refuse collectors have some of the highest rates of injuries and illnesses of all occupations.BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook · 2025
  18. Moving heavy objects around warehouses or onto trucks may lead to sprains, strains, or overexertion.BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook · 2025
  19. Most hand laborers and material movers work full time, although part-time work is common.BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook · 2025
  20. Work schedules may include nights and weekends.BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook · 2025
  21. There are usually no formal educational requirements for hand laborers and material movers.BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook · 2025
  22. They typically learn through on-the-job training lasting one month or less.BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook · 2025
  23. New employees may shadow an experienced worker while learning basic duties and safe equipment use.BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook · 2025
  24. Workers learn safety rules as part of their training.BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook · 2025
  25. Refuse collectors driving trucks above a certain capacity must have a commercial driver license.BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook · 2025
  26. Obtaining a CDL requires written, skill, and vision tests.BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook · 2025
  27. The 2025 median annual pay for the broad occupation was $38,220.BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook · 2025
  28. The 2025 median hourly pay for the broad occupation was $18.38.BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook · 2025

Work conditions

The conditions collection workers report

O*NET records work-context responses on exposure, movement, equipment, communication and decision-making. These responses describe the occupation profile, not a specific incident.

They help explain why collection work needs well-designed routes, equipment and training without claiming that all employers operate the same way.

  1. The broad occupation had 6,917,800 jobs in 2025.BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook · 2025
  2. Employment in refuse and recyclable material collecting was 156,400 jobs in 2025.BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook · 2025
  3. Employment of hand laborers and material movers is projected to grow 4% from 2025 to 2035.BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook · 2025
  4. Refuse and recyclable material collectors had a 2024 fatal work-injury rate of 37.4 per 100,000 full-time-equivalent workers.BLS fatal-injury chart · 2024
  5. There were 36 fatal work injuries among refuse and recyclable material collectors in 2024.BLS fatal-injury chart · 2024
  6. The 2024 fatal-injury rate for refuse collectors exceeded the all-worker rate of 3.3 per 100,000 FTE workers.BLS fatal-injury chart · 2024
  7. The 2024 refuse-collector fatal-injury rate was higher than the listed rate for driver/sales workers and truck drivers, 25.7 per 100,000 FTE workers.BLS fatal-injury chart · 2024
  8. The 2024 refuse-collector fatal-injury rate was lower than the listed rate for logging workers, 110.4 per 100,000 FTE workers.BLS fatal-injury chart · 2024
  9. The occupation inspects trucks before routes to ensure safe operating condition.O*NET collector profile · 2026
  10. The occupation drives trucks on established routes through residential streets or alleys.O*NET collector profile · 2026
  11. The occupation drives trucks through business or industrial areas.O*NET collector profile · 2026
  12. The occupation refuels trucks or adds fluids such as oil or brake fluid.O*NET collector profile · 2026
  13. The occupation dumps refuse or recyclables at disposal sites.O*NET collector profile · 2026
  14. The occupation fills out defective-equipment reports.O*NET collector profile · 2026
  15. The occupation operates automated or semiautomated hoisting devices to raise refuse bins.O*NET collector profile · 2026
  16. The occupation uses hoisting devices to dump bin contents into truck openings.O*NET collector profile · 2026
  17. The occupation dismounts trucks to collect garbage and remounts to ride to the next collection point.O*NET collector profile · 2026
  18. The occupation operates equipment that compresses collected refuse.O*NET collector profile · 2026
  19. The occupation communicates with dispatchers about delays, unsafe sites, accidents, breakdowns, or maintenance problems.O*NET collector profile · 2026
  20. The occupation checks road or weather conditions to determine route effects.O*NET collector profile · 2026
  21. The occupation cleans trucks or compactor bodies after routes.O*NET collector profile · 2026
  22. The occupation tags containers to inform customers about excess garbage or prohibited items.O*NET collector profile · 2026
  23. Operating vehicles or mechanized equipment is a work activity.O*NET collector profile · 2026
  24. Performing general physical activities includes climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials.O*NET collector profile · 2026
  25. Handling and moving objects uses hands and arms to position and manipulate materials.O*NET collector profile · 2026
  26. Inspecting equipment or materials identifies errors, problems, or defects.O*NET collector profile · 2026
  27. Communicating with supervisors, peers, or subordinates provides information by phone, writing, email, or in person.O*NET collector profile · 2026
  28. Controlling machines and processes uses control mechanisms or direct physical activity.O*NET collector profile · 2026

Tasks and equipment

What workers do around collection vehicles

BLS and O*NET describe collection, lifting, route and equipment duties. A profile can explain the work, but it cannot replace a company’s current procedures or applicable regulations.

Use these facts to understand the task environment; follow the site-specific rules and training that govern the job.

  1. Getting information involves observing, receiving, and obtaining information from relevant sources.O*NET collector profile · 2026
  2. Monitoring processes, materials, or surroundings detects or assesses problems.O*NET collector profile · 2026
  3. Evaluating information determines whether processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.O*NET collector profile · 2026
  4. Detailed work includes inspecting motor vehicles.O*NET collector profile · 2026
  5. Detailed work includes operating vehicles or material-moving equipment.O*NET collector profile · 2026
  6. Detailed work includes disposing of trash or waste materials.O*NET collector profile · 2026
  7. Detailed work includes maintaining vehicles in good working condition.O*NET collector profile · 2026
  8. Detailed work includes preparing accident or incident reports.O*NET collector profile · 2026
  9. Detailed work includes operating cranes, hoists, or other moving or lifting equipment.O*NET collector profile · 2026
  10. Detailed work includes climbing ladders or vehicles to perform duties.O*NET collector profile · 2026
  11. Detailed work includes operating packing or other material-processing equipment.O*NET collector profile · 2026
  12. Detailed work includes notifying others of emergencies, problems, or hazards.O*NET collector profile · 2026
  13. Detailed work includes reporting vehicle or equipment malfunctions.O*NET collector profile · 2026
  14. Detailed work includes gathering information about work conditions or locations.O*NET collector profile · 2026
  15. Detailed work includes explaining regulations, policies, or procedures.O*NET collector profile · 2026
  16. Detailed work includes cleaning vehicles or vehicle components.O*NET collector profile · 2026
  17. Detailed work includes loading shipments, belongings, or materials.O*NET collector profile · 2026
  18. Detailed work includes scheduling operational activities.O*NET collector profile · 2026
  19. 99% reported wearing common protective or safety equipment every day.O*NET collector profile · 2026
  20. 95% reported working outdoors exposed to all weather conditions every day.O*NET collector profile · 2026
  21. 90% reported being in an enclosed vehicle or operating enclosed equipment every day.O*NET collector profile · 2026
  22. 12% reported exposure to contaminants once a month or more but not every week.O*NET collector profile · 2026
  23. 57% reported spending time making repetitive motions continually or almost continually.O*NET collector profile · 2026
  24. 56% reported exposure to very hot or cold temperatures every day.O*NET collector profile · 2026
  25. 64% reported a typical work week longer than 40 hours.O*NET collector profile · 2026
  26. 64% reported using hands to handle, control, or feel objects continually or almost continually.O*NET collector profile · 2026
  27. 38% reported some freedom to make decisions.O*NET collector profile · 2026
  28. 50% reported time pressure every day.O*NET collector profile · 2026

Preparation

Training, licensing and capability context

Collection roles often involve physical capability, equipment awareness and, for some roles, commercial driving credentials. The precise requirements belong in the posting and employer training plan.

The final facts show the skills and profile characteristics associated with the occupation, not a one-size-fits-all qualification checklist.

  1. 57% reported exposure to hazardous equipment every day.O*NET collector profile · 2026
  2. 53% reported face-to-face discussions every day.O*NET collector profile · 2026
  3. 39% reported a lot of freedom to determine tasks, priorities, and goals.O*NET collector profile · 2026
  4. 42% reported contact with others most of the time.O*NET collector profile · 2026
  5. 41% reported exposure to distracting or uncomfortable sounds every day.O*NET collector profile · 2026
  6. 38% reported spending time sitting continually or almost continually.O*NET collector profile · 2026
  7. 31% rated repeating the same tasks extremely important.O*NET collector profile · 2026
  8. 43% rated the impact of decisions on coworkers or company results as important results.O*NET collector profile · 2026
  9. 29% rated the consequence of error extremely serious.O*NET collector profile · 2026
  10. 41% reported bending or twisting less than half the time.O*NET collector profile · 2026
  11. 46% reported standing less than half the time.O*NET collector profile · 2026
  12. 35% reported exposure to extremely bright or inadequate lighting never.O*NET collector profile · 2026
  13. Multilimb coordination is the ability to coordinate two or more limbs while sitting, standing, or lying down.O*NET collector profile · 2026
  14. Arm-hand steadiness is the ability to keep the hand and arm steady while moving or holding them in position.O*NET collector profile · 2026
  15. Static strength is the ability to exert maximum muscle force to lift, push, pull, or carry objects.O*NET collector profile · 2026
  16. Manual dexterity is the ability to quickly move the hand or hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.O*NET collector profile · 2026
  17. Reaction time is the ability to quickly respond to a sound, light, picture, or other signal.O*NET collector profile · 2026
  18. Trunk strength is the ability to use abdominal and lower-back muscles repeatedly or continuously without fatiguing.O*NET collector profile · 2026
  19. Extent flexibility is the ability to bend, stretch, twist, or reach with the body, arms, or legs.O*NET collector profile · 2026
  20. Far vision is the ability to see details at a distance.O*NET collector profile · 2026
  21. Near vision is the ability to see details at close range.O*NET collector profile · 2026
  22. Oral comprehension is the ability to listen to and understand spoken information and ideas.O*NET collector profile · 2026
  23. 81% of respondents said a high school diploma or equivalent is required for new hires.O*NET collector profile · 2026
  24. 11% of respondents said an associate’s degree or other two-year degree is required.O*NET collector profile · 2026
  25. 6% of respondents said a postsecondary certificate is required.O*NET collector profile · 2026
  26. Mechanical knowledge includes machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.O*NET collector profile · 2026

Methodology

How to use these facts accurately

These are not estimates created by Find Waste Jobs. Each card is a short reading of a named public source. Keep the agency, data year, measure and scope beside a number when you quote it; national material-flow data, occupation data and project inventories do not answer the same question.

Primary sources used on this page

Rate and Number of Fatal Work Injuries in Selected Occupations

BLS fatal-injury chart

Hand Laborers and Material Movers

BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook

Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors

O*NET collector profile

Preventing Struck-by Injuries and Deaths When Working with Refuse Trucks

NIOSH refuse-truck guide

Keep exploring

Explore the work behind the numbers.

These national references describe systems and occupations. Browse current openings to see the jobs supporting collection, recycling, disposal and operations today.