The waste management sector is worth more than 27 billion euros (WAS Report 2023) and is at a crucial stage. The growing demand for sustainable waste management, driven by circular economy goals and increasing waste volumes globally, requires serious reflection on the safety of facilities and workers. As the industry modernises and adopts new technologies, the physical and digital risks to operators are also evolving and intensifying.
From roadside collection to cybercrime: multiple exposure to risks
In its report “Health and Safety for Waste Collection and Urban Sanitation Operators 2024,” Inail, an Italian public agency primarily concerned with protecting workers from work-related risks, paints an alarming picture. With an injury frequency index three times higher than the national average, waste management remains a high-risk sector, with operators exposed to a variety of hazards. Physical hazards: road accidents, investments, falls from heights, contact with hazardous materials, and injuries caused by physical exertion during manual handling of loads. The “road” work environment, with all its variables (traffic, weather conditions, obstacles), only amplifies these risks. Ergonomic risks, such as repetitive movements, heavy lifting, and incorrect postures, especially in door-to-door collection and manual sweeping activities, cause dorsopathy and shoulder injuries, which are not surprisingly considered the main occupational diseases in the sector.
Chemical and biological hazards: Exposure to dust, bioaerosols, leachate, and chemicals in waste can cause infections, intoxication, and allergies. Poor hygiene of vehicles and equipment could exacerbate the problem. Digital risks: Increased digitisation exposes companies to ransomware attacks, data theft, and disruption of management systems, with serious economic and operational consequences.
The effects of a lack of security: high costs for companies and workers
The consequences of a lack of attention to safety in the waste management sector translate into significant costs for the companies involved and their workers.
For companies, there are, first and foremost, direct financial losses related to compensation for injuries and medical expenses, but also indirect costs, which are often more difficult to quantify, such as decreased productivity due to the absence of injured or ill personnel. In addition, inadequate safety management can result in penalties for noncompliance with applicable regulations, further adding to the economic burden. Finally, and perhaps even more impactful, accidents and service disruptions caused by safety problems can damage the company’s reputation, eroding the trust of customers and citizens, with negative repercussions even on the ability to win new tenders. On the other hand, the consequences of a lack of safety can be even more serious for workers: accidents, occupational diseases, and work-related stress can have a significant and lasting impact on the lives of workers and their families.
Efficiency and safety: two sides of the same coin
Reviewing processes to improve efficiency is another crucial element for safety and profitability in the waste management industry. Failure to modernise, particularly in fleet management, results in inefficiencies, economic losses and user dissatisfaction. Technology offers useful tools for optimal management of the fleet and related activities, but if these tools are not adopted, it is impossible to monitor vehicle fill levels in real-time, optimise collection routes, and intervene promptly in case of anomalies or emergencies. This increases operational costs and can compromise workers’ safety, who are forced to deal with unforeseen situations or take suboptimal routes.
How to work concretely for safer waste management
Security in waste management requires an approach that considers multiple factors at the physical, IT and management levels. These are some of the main ones to consider. Physical security technologies: the ability to implement advanced intrusion detection and video surveillance systems with real-time monitoring, enhanced by artificial intelligence for intrusion detection and features such as photographs to combat illegal waste abandonment. The use of thermal imaging cameras, especially in storage areas, enables early detection of fire outbreaks and intervention before flames spread. A H24 monitoring and intervention service ensures rapid response in case of alarms or incidents. Information security technologies: considering the increasing digitisation of the industry, it is crucial to adopt solutions to protect enterprise networks, manage vulnerabilities, continuously monitor threats and prevent against unauthorised access.
Fleet management solutions: integrate satellite-based vehicle security solutions such as GPS tracking devices, fleet management portals, and monitoring of alerts from IoT devices (unauthorised vehicle access and startup, tailgate opening, and fuel theft) to intervene in real-time in case of anomalies. Procedures: implement strict procedures for waste handling, emergency management, road traffic and PPE use. Promote the reporting of “near misses”-that is near misses, estimated to be about 12,000 per fatality in the industry- to industry- to detect and correct system weaknesses promptly. In addition, an optimised fleet management system contributes to safety and environmental sustainability by reducing fuel consumption and pollutant emissions.
Training: provide workers with comprehensive training on industry-specific risks, proper use of equipment, and safe behaviours. Culture of safety: promote a culture of safety at all company levels, encouraging worker participation and transparent communication. Collaboration: forge partnerships with local authorities, law enforcement agencies and trade associations to improve safety management in the area. Protecting workers means protecting the entire industry, ensuring its sustainable growth and crucial role in the transition to a circular economy. Waste management has the potential to become a virtuous example of safety and sustainability.
