Editor’s Comments: For the Sake of Family
LAST ISSUE, I spoke to you about challenges facing the waste and recycling industry in 2019. Among them was the issue of safety. Waste and recycling collection is still the fifth deadliest job in the US. It has held that spot since 2013. As the Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA) reported at the end of last year, the US Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) released 2017 National Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries showing 30 fatalities in this occupation compared to 31 in 2016. The fatal work injury rate increased in 2017, however, from 34.1 to 35.0 per 100,000 full-time equivalent (FTE) workers. And as of this writing, at least 17 fatal incidents have occurred relating to the solid waste industry in the US and Canada in 2019.
These are our brothers and sisters that are out there on the streets, working to provide for their families. They toil for our health and well-being. They deserve a concentrated effort to ensure their safety.
SWANA is committed to keeping a focus on safety for 2019 and beyond.
In response to the surge in industry-related fatalities, David Biderman, SWANA Executive Director and CEO, said, “The surge in fatal incidents involving solid waste personnel and vehicles in January is unprecedented in my 20+ years in the industry and is unacceptable. Regardless of who was at fault, each incident is tragic, and we urge all solid waste employers and employees in the United States and Canada to review their safety procedures and operations, and commit to being safer in 2019.”
Shawn Mandel, the Vice President of Safety & Risk at Waste Connections, said, “Waste Connections’ first value is SAFETY. The safety of our team members, customers, and the communities we are privileged to work in is of the utmost importance. As the societal distractions of cell phones, texting, and mobile internet continue to create unsafe situations on the roadways we share, we will endeavor to raise the level of awareness to ALL unsafe behaviors and do our part to create safer roadways. We fully support SWANA’s initiative to eliminate unsafe behaviors from the waste industry and encourage ALL organizations to join us in supporting SWANA’s safety initiatives.”
I don’t care if you’ve seen this multiple times because while we’re in this current situation, I’d like to see it over and over again. Here is SWANA’s “5 to Stay Alive: Safety Tips for Collection Employees.”
- Always wear PPE, especially high visibility vests and/or outerwear
- Never use your cell phone while driving the truck or at a disposal facility
- Don’t ride on the step if the truck is BACKING or going more than 10 mph or 1/5 mile
- Always comply with safety belt rules
- Don’t exceed the speed limit and don’t rush
