DateCityStateEmployerBody PartEvent
2021-08-23LincolnNeUniversal PureFoot (feet)Nonroadway collision with other vehicle
An employee was unloading material from a semi trailer using a standing pallet jack. While exiting the trailer, the employee struck a recycling dumpster being carried by another pallet jack. The employee suffered lacerations and fractures to the right foot.
2021-07-22SulphurOkPearce Renewables, LLCChest, except internal location of diseases or disordersInjured by slipping or swinging object held by injured worker
An employee was using a saw to cut a wind turbine blade for recycling. The saw kicked back and lacerated the employee's upper right chest.
2021-07-02Fort WorthTxBimbo Bakeries USAAnkle(s) and knee(s)Fall on same level, n.e.c.
An employee was moving a shopping cart filled with cardboard down a ramp to the recycling dumpster. The employee pushed downward on the shopping cart's handle and the cart tipped over causing her to fall to the ground. The employee sustained bruises to her left knee and right ankle.
2021-05-01EriePaWegman'sShoulder(s), including clavicle(s), scapula(e)Other fall to lower level less than 6 feet
An employee was throwing a bag of recycling into a bin and fell 3'10" from the loading dock to the ground, resulting in a fractured right shoulder.
2021-04-15Riviera BeachFlWaste Management of Palm BeachAnkle(s)Pedestrian struck by forward-moving vehicle in roadway
At about 9:00 a.m., an employee stepped out of a waste management truck to service recycling totes. The truck's right front tire ran over his right foot, breaking his ankle.
2021-04-01Green Cove SpringsFlAdvanced Disposal Services Solid Waste Southeast, LLCLeg(s)Fall or jump from and struck by same vehicle in normal operation, nonroadway
On April 1, 2021, a temporary employee stepped out of the truck to pick up a residential recycling bin while the truck was moving and he slipped and fell. His left leg was run over by the truck's tire, resulting in hospitalization and the amputation of his left leg.
2021-03-04OcoeeFlOrion Waste SolutionsLeg(s)Other fall to lower level less than 6 feet
A recycling-sorting employee was removing debris from a conveyor belt and fell at least 4 feet from the conveyor belt to the ground, resulting in a leg injury.
2021-01-06Chagrin FallsOhSafe For Home Products, LLCFinger(s), fingernail(s)Caught in running equipment or machinery during maintenance, cleaning
On January 6, 2021, a maintenance employee was clearing a jam on the auger of a recycling machine when the machine activated and amputated the employee's right middle finger at the middle knuckle.
2020-09-24New PaltzNyCraft Beer Guild Distributing of NY LLC.Foot (feet)Collision between a moving and standing vehicle, nonroadway
An employee was preparing to take out cardboard recycling with an electric ride-on pallet jack when his foot became caught between his pallet jack and a stationary pallet jack. His left foot was crushed and sustained a muscular injury requiring hospitalization.
2020-08-03CincinnatiOhRumpke Waste & RecyclingUpper and lower limb(s)Pedestrian vehicular incident
A recycling driver had emptied a recycling bin and was taking it back to a residence. A vehicle struck the employee, resulting in a broken leg and arm.
2020-07-24JacksonvilleFloridaWestrock, LLCThigh(s)Fall on same level due to slipping
On July 24, 2020, an employee was walking from the maintenance shop to the cardboard container recycling mill. When he arrived at the cardboard container recycling mill he slipped and fell on the concrete floor fracturing his left femur.
2020-07-14AustinTexasCentral Texas Refuse Inc. Finger(s), fingernail(s)Caught in running equipment or machinery during regular operation
An employee was picking up trash on a route and operating the levers that put the sweep blade into motion to sweep recycling materials into the body of the rear-load truck. The sweep blade knocked some of the material out of the hopper. The employee was pushing material back into the hopper when his left hand was caught by the sweep blade. The thumb on his left hand was pinched and broken.
2020-07-02ShreveportLouisianaIVAN SMITH FURNITURE COMPANY, INC.Forearm(s)Caught in running equipment or machinery during maintenance, cleaning
A recycle tech was recycling foam material. While attempting to clear an obstruction from the conveyor, his right arm was caught in the conveyor belt resulting in a fractured forearm.
2019-09-03RacineWisconsinSummit Packaging Systems, Inc.Lower leg(s)Part of occupant’s body caught between vehicle and other object in nonroadway transport incident
An employee was operating a stand-up forklift, delivering a gaylord container of scrap metal to a recycling dumpster. The employee's left foot and leg were crushed between the forklift and a bollard that protects a concrete wall. This resulted in amputation of the leg below the knee.
2019-08-12MelbourneFloridaLKQ CorpShoulder(s), including clavicle(s), scapula(e)Other fall to lower level 6 to 10 feet
An employee was on a forklift platform, using the forklift to move vehicle hoods into a dumpster for recycling. A vehicle hood knocked him off the platform, causing him to fall about 5-6 feet to the ground. He suffered a broken collarbone and a laceration to the back of his head requiring stitches.
2019-07-01MelbourneFloridaIH ServicesUpper and lower limb(s)Fall on same level due to tripping over an object
While taking recycling debris to a dumpster, an employee tripped on wooden skids in the path. She fell to the concrete and injured her knees, hand, and elbow. She was hospitalized.
2019-06-11Van BurenArkansasBud's RecyclingArm(s)Caught in running equipment or machinery during regular operation
An employee was raking cans into a pit for recycling. While the employee was in the pit, his arm was caught in the conveyor, suffering an amputation at or near the elbow.
2019-04-30AtlantaGeorgiaABM INDUSTRIES INCLower leg(s)Climbing or stepping up or down-single episode
An employee was sorting boxes in a recycling bin while standing on a concrete wall that was 18 inches high. As he stepped down, he twisted his knee and fractured his left tibia.
2019-03-21SelmaTexasA Caring DoctorKnee(s)Fall on same level due to tripping over an object
An employee's foot hit a shredding recycling bin as she walked. She fell on her right knee, injuring it.
2019-03-09ArvadaColoradoVitamin Cottage Natural Food Markets IncBrainOther fall to lower level less than 6 feet
At about 2:14 p.m. on March 9, 2019, two employees were taking recycling outside on a receiving dock. One of the employees fell off the dock onto her back, hitting her head on the concrete below. She was hospitalized.
2019-02-23MartinsburgWest VirginiQG Printing II, LLCFinger(s), fingernail(s)Caught in running equipment or machinery during maintenance, cleaning
On February 23, 2019, an employee was removing dust from the sensor of a recycling system. The fingertips on the employee's right hand came into contact with the paddle blade, causing amputations to the middle and ring fingers.
2019-01-10PittsburghPennsylvaniaGuardian Storage Development Inc.Leg(s)Pedestrian struck by vehicle backing up in nonroadway area
An employee was assisting a customer to unload their electronic recycling items from the trunk of their car. The customer's foot slipped and put the car into reverse slamming into the employee and pinning him against a utility cart and bollard pole. The employee sustained a compound fracture to the leg which lead to surgery and leg amputation.
2018-09-25Palm CoastFloridaWaste Pro of Florida, Inc.Leg(s)Fall or jump from and struck by same vehicle in normal operation, nonroadway
A garbage truck driver was servicing a recycling bin as part of his training. He was getting back on the truck, on the passenger side, when it began to move; he lost his footing and fell onto the road. The truck ran over his left leg, breaking it in several places. He was hospitalized.
2018-09-17TempleTexasMooreCo, Inc.Finger(s), fingernail(s)Caught in running equipment or machinery during regular operation
An employee was using an electric miter saw to cut aluminum extrusion frame parts for a bulletin board cabinet. He began to pull a remnant piece of the extrusion from the saw to place in a recycling barrel. The end of the extrusion inside the saw was grabbed by the spinning saw blade and pulled into the machine. The blade lacerated his right index finger, which was medically amputated between the first and second joints.
2018-09-13West Palm BeachFloridaLets Work USA IncFinger(s), fingernail(s)Struck by discharged or flying object, n.e.c.
A temporary employee was removing a garage door coil spring from recycling equipment. The spring retracted, lacerating the employee's left hand and breaking two of his fingers.
2018-08-21Grand PrairieTexasPoly-AmericaShoulder(s) and arm(s)Vehicle or machinery fire
An employee was arriving at his workstation when a flash fire occurred inside a plastic scrap recycling machine. He suffered burns to his left arm and shoulder area, requiring hospitalization.
2018-06-25FargoNorth DakotaU.S. Department of Veterans AffairsChest, except internal location of diseases or disordersNonclassifiable
An employee was experiencing cardiac stress while collecting recycling resulting in hospitalization.
2018-05-24Mc CookIllinoisGroot Recycling & Waste Service Inc.BODY SYSTEMSExposure to environmental heat
An employee was driving the recycling collection truck and began experiencing stomach pains. He was diagnosed with dehydration and hospitalized.
2018-05-17UniontownPennsylvaniaGoodwill Recycling CenterAnkle(s)Trip on uneven surface without fall
An employee was sitting on a recycling truck that was making pickups when she stepped down from the truck onto uneven gravel and sprained her ankle.
2018-05-10Lithia SpringsGeorgiaSA Recycling, LLCFinger(s), fingernail(s)Struck by falling object or equipment, n.e.c.
An employee was opening the door to a car that was on a flat bed truck for recycling when the door fell and struck the employee's left middle finger, amputating it.
2018-05-02EffortPennsylvaniaAllied ServicesAnkle(s) and leg(s)Pedestrian struck by vehicle backing up in nonroadway area
An employee was performing vocational training at a recycling center. The employee was emptying a cart of sorted materials as a customer was backing up their car. The car ran over the employee's left calf and ankle. The employee was hospitalized.
2018-04-11ArlingtonTexasPackaging Corporation of AmericaHand(s) and finger(s)Caught in running equipment or machinery
A temporary employee was stacking material when the punching equipment line was stopped by other employees so they could address the recycling baler. The temporary employee went to the area around the shredder and was attempting to pull some material from underneath a conveyor when the employee's left hand was caught between the roller and the belt of the conveyor. The employee suffered a crushed left hand, fractured left thumb, and skin removal from the back of the left hand.
2018-03-21New YorkNew YorkQuality Building ServicesNeck and backFall on same level
An employee fell while pushing a recycling bin, suffering neck and back pain.
2018-02-24HawkinsTexasBrookshire Grocery CompanyAnkle(s)Fall on same level due to tripping over an object
An employee tripped on a recycling box and broke her ankle.
2018-02-19HarrisburgIllinoisThornton Auto Crushing, LLCBrainStruck by or caught in swinging door or gate
While recycling a large trailer, an employee was struck in the head when the 8-foot high side swing door was blown shut by a gust of wind.
2018-01-23OmahaNebraskaGlenn Valley Foods, LLCFinger(s), fingernail(s)Struck against moving part of machinery or equipment
An employee was opening boxes of meat and then breaking the cardboard down for recycling when her right pinky finger contacted the blade of a bandsaw someone else was using and was lacerated, requiring medical amputation.
2018-01-08Fort WorthTexasCook Childrens HospitalAnkle(s)Other fall to lower level
An employee was compressing boxes for recycling. While trying to step on a box to compress it, the employee fell and broke an ankle.
2017-10-10Port OrangeFloridaWaste Pro USA of Florida, Inc.BODY SYSTEMSExposure to environmental heat
An employee was picking up 5- to 10-pound recycling bins when he started feeling lightheaded and having leg cramps. He was hospitalized due to dehydration.
2017-09-22Wichita FallsTexasArconic Power and PropulsionFinger(s), fingernail(s)Injured by slipping or swinging object held by injured worker
An employee was using a cut-off saw to cut scrap castings to fit into the recycling bin. The employee's hand was pulled in and caught between the hand tool and a rubber mat resulting in amputation to the first knuckle of the left index finger and lacerations to the middle finger.
2017-08-17MeadvillePennsylvaniaMeadville Medical CenterLeg(s)Contact with hot objects or substances
An employee was transferring a pot of hot oil from the kitchen to the oil disposal container for recycling when some of the hot oil spilled on his left leg. He was hospitalized with burn injuries.
2017-08-07Niagara FallsNew YorkRepublic ServicesBrainFall or jump from vehicle in normal operation, roadway
An employee was driving and collecting recycling waste when he fell out of the driver cabin, hit the ground, and lost consciousness.
2017-07-04FairfieldOhioRumpke Waste and Recycling ServicesFinger(s), fingernail(s)Caught in running equipment or machinery during regular operation
An employee was tipping recycling waste containers into the truck. He was actuating the lever with his right hand while his left hand was on top of the container tipper. The employee suffered a partial amputation of the left index finger.
2017-06-20KennesawGeorgiaImpact Employment SolutionsKnee(s)Other jump to lower level
On June 20, 2017, an employee was getting ready to unload a truck for recycling when a stack of partitions started to fall and was going to hit him. To avoid getting hit by the partition stack, he jumped off the truck and landed on a hospital table, breaking his left knee.
2017-06-13BuffaloNew YorkModern DisposalBODY SYSTEMSIngestion of harmful substance
An employee was walking to each collection location helping to empty recycling and garbage on truck. A woman offered the employee a cold bottle of water. He said sure and she went into a house and brought out a bottle of liquid which the employee drank. He took a sip and immediately started vomiting. The "water" turned out to be a diluted mix of bleach and detergent. The employee was hospitalized.
2017-06-05El PasoTexasLopez Scrap Metal, Inc.Finger(s), fingernail(s)Injured by slipping or swinging object held by injured worker
An employee was segregating metal at the recycling shop when he cut his thumb with metal shears, requiring hospitalization and surgery.
2017-05-15Fort LauderdaleFloridaLet's Work USA Inc.Finger(s), fingernail(s)Struck by discharged or flying object, n.e.c.
An employee was sorting metal pipes on a recycling line. When he discarded a section of pipe into a bunker, the pipe rebounded and struck his left index finger, resulting in a severe laceration.
2017-04-04BristolConnecticutMetal Finishing Technologies, LLCFingertip(s)Compressed or pinched by shifting objects or equipment
On April 3, 2017, at 11:55 a.m., the injured employee and three other employees were transporting a decommissioned, pumped out, triple rinsed steel metal tank, 4' x 5' x 4' using a forklift to a metal recycling roll-off container located outside behind the plant. The injured employee was guiding the tank with his hands when the rest of the crew was attempting to place the tank into the roll-off container. The tank slipped off the forks and crushed the injured employee's left ring fingertip pad b
2017-03-29HoustonTexasResolco, Inc.Multiple body partsIgnition of vapors, gases, or liquids
An employee was preparing an IBC container for recycling when the ethanol that was in the container ignited and burned the employee's arms, chest, and legs.
2017-02-01HolmenWisconsinHilltopper Refuse & Recycling Inc.Hip(s)Fall on same level due to slipping
An employee was walking outside to service a recycling bin when he slipped on ice and broke his left hip.
2016-09-05EndicottNew YorkTaylor Garbage Service, Inc.Abdomen, except internal location of diseases or disordersCaught between rolling powered vehicle and other object
An employee was opening doors to a recycling shed so that a garbage truck could be loaded. The garbage truck rolled back and pinned the employee between the back of the truck and the recycling bin/shed. The employee suffered a stomach/abdominal aortic tear.
2016-06-27Post FallsIdahoBUCK KNIVESToes(s), toenail(s)Struck by object or equipment rolling freely
An employee was standing to the side of a recycling bin. When a forklift moved the bin, a large roll of steel (approximately 800 pounds) that was beside the recycling bin rolled across the aisle from the coil rack and struck the employee. The employee suffered broken toes and leg injuries.
2016-03-23LakelandFloridaAdvanced AutopartsLower leg(s)Part of occupant’s body caught between vehicle and other object in nonroadway transport incident
An employee was using a motorized pallet jack to move cardboard recycling bins. While the employee was steering, the jack became stuck and pinned the employee's ankle to the storage racks. The employee suffered a broken tibia/fibula.
2016-02-18MonroevillePennsylvaniaCochran Motors, Inc.Head and trunkContact with hot objects or substances
An employee was adjusting the lacquer recycling machine. When the employee opened the machine to fix the bag, hot liquid sprayed out, causing second degree burns to the right side of the employee's trunk and head.
2016-02-02DaltonGeorgiaSBJ Recycling Inc.Finger(s), fingernail(s)Caught in running equipment or machinery during maintenance, cleaning
An employee was cleaning a plastic recycling line when the fan blades inside the machine hit and partially amputated the employee's right index and middle fingers. The machine was not locked out at the time of the incident.
2015-12-13Fort LuptonColoradoMills Solids Control ConsultingNonclassifiableNonclassifiable
An employee was seriously burned while working at a fracking fluid recycling facility, requiring hospitalization.
2015-12-02GreenvilleSouth CaroliU.S. Post Office - GreenvilleMultiple face locationsFall, slip, trip
An employee was dumping cardboard boxes into a recycling container using a forklift. When he tilted the forks to allow the boxes to slide off into the container, the pallet also slid into the container. While attempting to remove the pallet, the employee slipped and fell, hitting his face on the ledge of the container. He continued to fall to the floor, hitting his face again on the pavement. He broke two eye sockets, his nose, and a bone behind his upper lip.
2015-10-21CartersvilleGeorgiaShaw Industries GroupHip(s)Fall on same level due to tripping over an object
The injured employee was cleaning at the end of the shift. She proceeded to put paper in a recycling bin and turned around to return to the Mega-cutter. As she passed by the weight scale she stepped diagonally across the ramp and caught the back portion of her foot on the ramp causing her to trip. The employee fell forward onto the floor landing on her right hip and fracturing it.
2015-06-29AtlantaGeorgiaLiberty Tire RecyclingFingertip(s)Caught in running equipment or machinery during regular operation
An employee was working at Liberty Tire Recycling when his glove got stuck in the tail end of the pulley area of the conveyor belt and his right middle fingertip was severed.
2015-04-06MedleyFloridaLopefra Corp.Multiple body partsStruck by falling object or equipment
An employee was injured while working at the recycling yard. He was standing on top of metal sheets and was catapulted between the metal sheets and a forklift. The metal sheets fell on top of him, causing major injuries to his head, back, hand, and leg.
2015-03-30NewmanstownPennsylvaniaLebanon Farms Disposal IncorporatedBrainFall or jump from vehicle in normal operation, roadway
On 3/30/2015, at approximately 1300 hrs., an employee was collecting recyclables for Lebanon Farms Disposal. After collecting recyclable materials, the employee mounted the recycling truck's side step. While the truck was traveling to its next stop, the driver noticed the employee laying in the street. The employee was hospitalized with a head injury.
2015-03-16BurnetTexasReliable Tire DisposalArm(s)Caught in running equipment or machinery during maintenance, cleaning
An employee reached into a recycling shredder conveyor to clear tire shred when his arm was pulled into the machine, which was running at the time.
2015-02-23OrlandoFloridaOrlando Waste PaperFinger(s), fingernail(s)Caught in running equipment or machinery during regular operation
On 2/23/2015, an employee was injured on the job during a conveyor belt operation that is used to move old paper through employees for recycling separation. The belt is moved or powered by a chain and sprocket system. The employee attempted to remove some debris from the chain. He had on safety gloves, which were caught in the chain and/or sprocket. The employee was injured when his finger was caught and lacerated, but not severed at a joint.