A Shared Commitment to Safety Leadership
“What’s one unsafe behavior you’ll no longer tolerate?” Attendees of the SWANA Safety Workshop were left with this question, among others as they reflected on their next steps for activating safer behaviors within their organizations.
The SWANA Safety Workshop brought together waste and resource management professionals from across the US and Canada to gain new insights on organizational safety.
Leadership Updates
SWANA CEO Amy Lestition Burke kicked off the day with a presentation on SWANA resources and engagement, reaffirming SWANA’s commitment to safety by highlighting the breadth of safety resources available to members. Her message set the tone for the day—safety is not a standalone initiative, but a core value that must be reinforced consistently across the industry.
Chris Ball of WM followed with insights into WM’s approach to employee safety, centered on a simple but powerful principle: ensuring every employee gets home safe, every day. His remarks underscored the importance of organizational culture in driving safer outcomes.
From Policy to Practice: Hands-On Learning
Participants engaged in small group exercises on root cause analysis, creating novel solutions for safety challenges, and more. Attendees from geographies as widespread as Alaska to Florida shared experiences and exchanged knowledge. Together, they explored how to translate safety policies into actions that resonate on the front line.
Looking at real-life examples of incidents, attendees discussed causes, beyond individual behavior to ask, “Where did the system fail to protect?” The group discussed how organizations can build resilient systems and cultures that consistently recognize and manage risk, regardless of individual behavior or staff changes.
Organizational Change
Guest speaker K. Scott Griffith offered a compelling perspective on organizational change, drawing from his experience as a commercial airline pilot. He shared how aviation’s safety reporting systems inspired the creation of the Aviation Safety Action Program (ASAP), which later evolved into the Collaborative Just Culture® Program. His presentation highlighted the critical role of trust, transparency, and non-punitive reporting in preventing incidents before they occur.
Attendees heard updates about the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), from Arlene Williams, the Acting Director of OSHA's Directorate of Cooperative and State Programs, who shared OSHA resources and opportunities for engagement. Prentice Cline, the Acting Deputy Director of OSHA's Directorate of Cooperative and State Programs, also shared updates and responded to questions from the audience.
Kirk Sander of the National Waste & Recycling Association (NWRA) discussed fatality data research currently underway by the Environmental Research & Education Foundation (EREF). These conversations showcased the opportunity for data-driven, collaborative approaches to safety.
Turning Insight into Action
By the end of the day, attendees walked away with more than new information, they left with a renewed sense of responsibility and actionable next steps. Through candid conversations and practical exercises, participants gained tools to drive meaningful, exponential change within their organizations.
Here are three takeaways that emerged:
- Trust is foundational—and starts with how we show up.
- Everyone must go beyond rules to manage risk and reinforce safe habits.
- True safety culture outlasts individuals with resilient systems to consistently manage risk.
Thank you to our sponsors WM and Fire Rover, and our speakers from OSHA, NWRA, WM, and SG Collaborative Solutions.
View photos, including a Word Cloud created out of what safety meant to each attendee from the workshop held March 19 in Washington, DC.
More Safety Resources
Beyond this workshop, SWANA offers more training, resources, and peer engagement through committees and technical divisions to support strong safety leadership year‑round. Explore more safety resources and sign up for SWANA's upcoming Safety Coffee Chat on April 13 to expand your safety community.
Plug in to the SWANA member network and benefits by joining today.