The Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA) is launching a first-of-its kind data collection effort for municipalities to report accidents and injuries at its worksites. To increase safety in the waste industry, it’s important that we are aware of where we can improve. Recognizing a need for data on the frequency of accidents and injuries among municipal solid waste collection workers and vehicles, SWANA’s safety leadership developed a simple, confidential survey that will capture needed, relevant information. SWANA is asking leaders of municipal solid waste systems to provide information on their collection and/or post-collection accidents and injuries in 2015 through a survey.
The incident data collected in this form will be analyzed to identify trends that can be used to help improve safety within the waste and recycling industry. “I am very pleased that SWANA will be collecting important safety-related data from municipal solid waste employers,” said SWANA Executive Director and CEO David Biderman. He added, “The Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data covering the industry is flawed in some respects, and this additional data set will provide SWANA with a better understanding of the frequency and most common causes of accidents and injuries involving local governments that operate solid waste collection systems and post-collection facilities. This [data] will allow us to develop more targeted safety resources for our members.”
SWANA will aggregate the data collected and present its findings at WASTECON® 2016 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The data collected will remain confidential and will not be shared with any outside entities. The survey will be available for completion on SWANA’s website at www.SWANA.org. Participants may also download the survey and provide responses directly to Jesse Maxwell at [email protected]. Responses are due June 15, 2016.
For more information on the Municipal Incident Reporting Survey or SWANA’s Safety Matters program, please visit www.SWANA.org/Safety.