Nine Deaths Is Nine Too Many

摘要

Ian Blenkharn;Toni Gladding;Tracy Moffatt; There can be no doubt that the waste and recycling industries must work hard to sustain and improve safety standards. The Health & Safety Executive (HSE) recently reported an increase to nine fatalities in 2010/11 and nobody can disagree that this is nine deaths too many. Every death or serious, possibly life changing, injury is a tragedy that stains the reputation of this sector. However, since the HSE released the latest mortality statistics (see box copy), several commentators have remarked on the "deteriorating safety standard of the waste industries" and "an alarming rise in deaths". But are these statements correct?