The Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA) announces that it will begin collecting safety data from municipalities about collection injuries and accidents, as part of its renewed emphasis on worker safety in the solid waste industry. Recognizing a need for data on the frequency of accidents and injuries among municipal solid waste collection workers and vehicles, SWANA will partner with its safety leadership to develop a simple survey that will capture needed, relevant information. “The frequency of accidents in our industry, particularly fatal ones, is unacceptable,” said David Biderman, SWANA executive director and CEO. He added, “SWANA will continue to expand its safety offerings so all of the hard working men and women in this great industry return home to their families safely, every day.”
SWANA will be discussing this initiative at the Safety Summit during its annual conference, WASTECON®, in Orlando, Florida, from August 24-27, 2015. The 3rd Annual Safety Summit will include presentations on OSHA and DOT compliance, preventing fires, and safety issues facing municipal solid waste workers. Data collection for this initiative is slated to begin in early 2016. In other safety endeavors and programs, SWANA plans to host a webinar on post-collection safety issues at transfer stations, recycling facilities and landfills in the Fall. SWANA also expects to hear from OSHA next month whether its application for grant funding to provide safety training in 2016 has been approved.
For more information, visit www.SWANA.org.