Individual Safety Award 

SWANA’s Individual Safety Award recognizes an individual whose initiative and actions have made an outstanding contribution to improving safety in the waste and resource management industry. This award honors proactive or reactive efforts that protect workers, the public, and the community—such as preventing incidents, reducing hazards, strengthening safety culture, mentoring others, or introducing practical improvements that go beyond standard job expectations. 

Examples may include: 

• Proactive behavior to prevent incidents 
• Preventing an accident or incident 
• Communicating safety standards or best practices 
• Putting their own spin on traditional safety efforts 
• Supporting community safety efforts  
• Implementing a new safety program or training 

 SWANA Safety Awards are sponsored by:

Award Details

Eligibility 

Applicant must work for an organization that collects, processes, recycles, or otherwise manages municipal solid waste, recycling, or organics; or designs waste/recycling systems and/or works around their components. The individual submitting the application and the person being nominated must be SWANA members. 

Judging

Safety Award applications will be reviewed by members of the SWANA Safety Committee. Additional information may be requested verbally or in writing in order to evaluate the application further. The decision of winner(s) by the Committee is final.

Awards

Award recipients are recognized during an award ceremony at SWANA's annual RCon™ and are recognized on the SWANA website and social media.

Application Questions

1. What is the primary activity of the applicant organization?
2. What is the job function of the individual being nominated? What organization(s) were impacted by the individual? 
   
3. Describe the nominee’s contributions to improving worker safety, public safety, or industry safety.  (Limit 500 words)   
4. What measurable impact has the nominee had on safety performance, hazard reduction, employee engagement, or organizational culture?  (Limit 500 words)   
5. How has the nominee demonstrated leadership, mentorship, or influence in promoting workplace safety? Or how has the nominee improved safety by preventing an incident or implementing a process change to improve safety.   (Limit 300 words)  
6. What makes this individual’s contribution exemplary or distinct from standard expectations of their role?  (Limit 150 words)   
7. Required: Please provide supporting documentation, testimonials, or performance measures.