Safety – It’s Everyone’s Responsibility (Part 1)

January 3, 2017

Citing 2015 Bureau of Labor Statistics, a recent Waste360 article noted that the number of fatalities and the fatal injury rate for the waste and recycling sector both rose to multi-year highs. For private and public sector waste and recycling operations, 50 fatalities occurred in 2015, up from 40 in 2014. Among refuse and recyclable material collectors, total fatalities rose from 27 to 33.

This distressing statistc matches 2013 for the highest number of fatalities in the industry since 2006. Indeed, refuse and recyclable material collectoion is the fifth most dangerous profession, with a fatal injury rate of 38.8 per 100,000 workers. This is a fatal injury rate that is higher than that for police officers or firefighters. And, according to Waste360, 2015 the third consecutive year of rising fatal injury rates.

At NERC’s recent Fall Conference I was charged with time-keeping for the “Safety in Recycling” session. Admittedly my first thought was “Really?” as I had hoped to be assigned to the other concurrent session, “The Changing Face of Electronics Recycling—Reuse!” However, I was pleasantly surprised and have to admit that “Safety in Recycling” was one of the most interesting and informative conference sessions I’ve attended.

Moreover, it got me thinking that all of us in material management have a role to play in doing what we can to help keep our industry safe. But what should that role be?

One presenter at the “Safety in Recycling” session was David Biderman, SWANA’s Executive Director/CEO. According to Mr. Biderman, there are 10,000+ reported injuries or illnesses in materials management each year in the United States; the collection injury rate is 7.1 (per 100 employees) and the Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) injury rate is 8.4.

“Safety is an issue where everyone can agree,” Biderman stated during the session. And he’s right;  whether we own a hauling company or work for a nonprofit materials management organization, we can (and should) concern ourselves with safety from injury for all workers in the industry.

For materials management companies, making safety a priority starts with a written safety program, policies, and ongoing safety training. Written safety policies would include the wearing of personal protective equipment (PPE, such as reflective vests, safety glasses, and hearing protection). All employees must be issued PPE in accordance with their job and performance duties. And, of course, management must ensure that employees properly use the PPE at all times while performing their duties. Written safety policies (and enforcement) also need to address the use of cell phones, texting, eating/drinking on the job, and other distractions that interfere with safe driving and equipment operation.

For materials recovery facilities, transfer stations, and similar operations, “lockout and tagout” (LOTO) policies—which ensure that potentially dangerous equipment is shut down safely—must be in place. Training in the policies must be provided, and enforced.

According to Mr. Biderman, employers must make it a priority to engage with their collection drivers and other front line workers. Because the majority of accidents/injuries are caused by unsafe behavior, Biderman said, employers should “make safety personal” for their workers.

Furthermore, he pointed out that employers should examine how to motivate workers to change their unsafe behaviors; in other words, how to make safety second nature for employees as they go about their work. Going beyond the written safety communications by using visual aids—photos and video—to engage employees can also be helpful.

Employers also need to “personalize” their safety data, by knowing which injuries and accidents are most common for their operation. Is there a time of year or time of day when accidents are more likely to occur? Are there common causes that can be addressed?

Biderman also cited the importance of “route observation.” He noted that employers that conduct route observations on a regular basis (using supervisors or cameras) realize a significant decrease in unsafe behaviors and accidents. Route observations help ensure proper use of PPE and safety belts, reduced instances of speeding and improper cellphone use, and an increase in general safety practices in backing up vehicles. This is one of the most important things you can do to improve your safety performance and reduce accidents and injuries. It’s important that supervisors and managers be trained on how to observe, and learn how to positively tutor employees following route observation.

More to come in Part 2. In the meantime, check out SWANA’s Safety Matters for resources and training materials.

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By Athena Lee Bradley