Almost 500 injuries and 14 assaults were recorded among Cheshire East refuse collectors over a three-year period.

A Freedom of Information request submitted by Accident Claims Advice has revealed that exactly 495 workplace injuries were logged by the council's waste teams between April 2022 and March 2025.

Out of 37 local authorities that responded to the firm's request, Cheshire East recorded the highest number of injuries with 135 incidents in 2022/23, 199 in 2023/24, and 161 during the 2024/25 financial year.

Furthermore, of the 495 injuries recorded, four resulted in claims being made for compensation.

However, no compensation was paid out during this three-year period period, with two of the claims still open and yet to be determined.

Councillor David Jefferay, chair of Cheshire East Council's environment and communities committee, said: "We encourage a strong reporting culture across our waste teams, and staff are asked to report accidents, near misses and any form of abuse no matter how small an issue may seem.

"This helps us to identify and address potential risks early and ensures that incidents can be properly investigated.

"Protecting the safety and wellbeing of our frontline teams is a priority for us, and we will continue to review and strengthen the measures we have in place to support them."

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Cheshire East Council has also confirmed that there were 14 incidents of violence and aggression reported during the aforementioned period.

Three of these involved 'physical violence'.

The other incidents all related to 'verbal abuse or aggressive behaviour'.

Councillor Jefferay added: "Our bin collection crews provide an essential public service, and they should never face abuse or violence for simply doing their job.

"They work extremely hard, in all weathers and in what is a physically demanding role, and they deserve to feel safe and respected as they go about their duties.

"Cases of physical abuse are fortunately rare – a total of three were reported between 2022 and 2025 – but when they do occur, we take them extremely seriously."