It would be inappropriate if we were not to consider the latest statistics showing that in 2012/13 UK waste sector worker deaths have double.

This is a terrible statistic, behind which are 12 lost lives, and 12 bereaved families. That cannot be ignored, and should be a clarion call for everyone to try harder, do better, to prevent fatal incidents.

However, statistics can sometimes be misconstrued and misleading. In 2011, set against concern regarding an annul total of 9 fatal incidents it was necessary to look at the overall trend in waste sector fatal accidents which showed a steady decline over 5-10 years. Some years were better, some less so, but the trend was downward and it was inappropriate for the sector to engage in hand wringing because of any slight rise in one year over the previous year than it would for self-congratulation when the fatal accident rate fell back again a year later. (Blenkharn JI, Gladding T, Moffatt T. Nine deaths, nine too many. CIWM Journal 2011 August; 34-5).

So are these 12 deaths just a ‘blip’. Not for those concerns, and not for the bereaved families. For them, a blip would be insulting, distressing, disrespectful. But we must consider this with a view to trend analysis, if only to prevent self-congratulation when the tally is still too high, but fortuitously less than 12.

Mortality rates generally accepted are a key marker for waste sector safety. Is this right. Though we cannot fail to recognise and mourn each and every one, perhaps morbidity data would be a better marker for waste sector safety.

The difficulty has always been in data acquisition. RIDDOR was intended to capture accident data but was very selective in qualifying incidents, poorly managed – having reviewed RIDDOR statistical records for sharps injury I can attest to the poor quality of data submitted – and the considerable effort from many H&S staff and others to avoid, prevent, duck or circumvent RIDDOR reporting to maintain a reasonable local accident record and reduce the likelihood of an HSE visit.

Now RIDDOR has been revised with fewer conditions and injury circumstances requiring mandatory reporting, the possibility for meaningful morbidity data for the waste sector seems but a distant dream. Until then, we must stick with the possibility of misleading mortality data when fortunately small numbers make small year-on-year changes assume huge importance.

Next year will be better, but any self-congratulation or back-patting to celebrate that fall in sector mortality must be held in check. Celebrate a sustained downward trend, even if there are occasional blips. But expect that there will be annual falls as well as occasions increases in sector deaths. We must take the long view, without ever taking our eye off a drive toward the highest standard of waste sector safety. However, though we can be dismissive of the use and mis-use of numbers we must never be dismissive of those 12 dead colleagues, and 12 bereaved families.

see also The statistics of fatal accident prevention