The National Waste & Recycling Association (NWRA) announces the participation of dozens of leading companies and independent waste and recycling organizations nationwide in a major national effort focused on improving safety in the waste and recycling industry. The 2016 NWRA Safety Stand Down launches on January 25 with a weeklong training and awareness initiative focused around reducing accidents, fatalities and injuries related to truck backing incidents that represents a common challenge for the industry. The NWRA Safety Stand-Down on vehicle backing will include a daily focus on safety issues related to backing and will conclude on January 29, 2016.
NWRA has made safety its top priority, a pledge shared by its member companies. This Stand Down will provide participating companies with the tools, guidance and support necessary to move the needle on backing incidents. Participation in the Stand Down involves waste and recycling companies’ commitment to focusing employees safety sessions during the week on safe backing; conducting a risk assessment and review of backing policies and procedures; and posting Stand Down information at facilities and on social media sites to make employees aware of this effort..
Nearly 50 companies have joined the Stand Down with additional participants registering as the kickoff to the Stand Down nears. Further, in an unprecedented demonstration of common purpose, NWRA is being joined by several regional waste and recycling associations and the municipal waste community who have encouraged their members to participate in the Stand Down: California Refuse and Recycling Council, the Oregon Refuse and Recycling Association, the Washington Refuse and Recycling Association, the International Scrap Recycling Institute and the Solid Waste Association of North America. “We are proud of the commitment of our members, sponsor and partners to work together to raise the bar for safety in our industry,” said Sharon H. Kneiss, NWRA president and chief executive officer. “We are working to raise awareness and elevate our performance as we focus on the importance of a safe environment for our workers and the communities they serve nationwide.” “Through training, effective communications and heightened awareness we are committed to helping improve safety across our industry,” said Kneiss.
The Stand Down is sponsored by 3rd Eye Cam Powered by AWTI, a leading supplier to the waste and recycling industry, whose products and technologies are directly contributing to improving safety. “AWTI is proud to be the major sponsor for the NWRA’s 2016 Safety Stand Down,” said AWTI/3rd Eye MobileVision Executive Vice President Mark Regan. “Efforts such as this strengthen and promote the most important principle we must all strive for … making sure every employee and the public they serve go home safe EVERYDAY.”
For more information, visit www.wasterecycling.org/our-work/safety.