TWELVE bin workers were killed at work last year, including by irresponsible and impatient car drivers passing their dustcarts.

The deaths represent a 50 per cent increase over the previous year’s total of eight refuse workers killed at work, according to new figures from the government’s Health & Safety Executive.

General union GMB said that 1,000 incidents of dangerous driving were reported every day as the workers simply carried out their tasks.

The tally does not include deaths from other causes such as asbestos-related illnesses.

GMB has obtained video footage showing workers diving for cover as reckless drivers mounted pavements, kerbs and verges to pass bin lorries making rubbish collections.

At the same time the workers’ wages have dropped in real terms by 7.4 per cent since 2011, the union added, with average earnings of just over £19,000 a year before stoppages.

GMB general secretary Tim Roache said: “We all rely on refuse collections to keep our cities, towns and villages clean and safe.

“But refuse workers are literally risking their lives coming in to work each day. It’s one of the most dangerous jobs you can do.

“In this sweltering heat, it doesn’t get any easier. It’s an incredibly tough job, but, despite the graft they put in, refuse workers have seen their pay plummet in real terms since 2011.”

He called for strong penalties for reckless drivers who put bin workers’ lives in danger and for increased pay for the strenuous work they do.