Initiatives
SWANA has a strong commitment to safety and is determined to help move the waste collection industry off of the federal government’s list of 10 most dangerous jobs and reduce accidents and injuries. These safety initiatives represent part of that effort.
SWANA recognizes that, in the solid waste industry safety matters! #SWANASafety
2023 Safety Award Winners announced.
Safety First is a weekly newsletter with safety tips for tailgate meetings and posting around your workplace. Available only to SWANA members, it is a resource on a variety of industry safety topics.
Solid waste collection workers are receiving the same safety resources from SWANA at Hauler Safety Outreach events across North America.
Take the SWANA Safety Pledge to show your commitment to protecting yourself and others from harm every day.
SWANA Safety Ambassadors serve as safety leaders in all 47 chapters in the United States and Canada.
SWANA has a safety campaign of five simple tips to help solid waste workers stay safe on the job.
Slow Down to Get Around is a national safety campaign reminding motorists to drive more carefully when near waste and recycling collection vehicles.
American National Standards (ANSs) applicable to Equipment Technology and Operations for Wastes and Recyclable Materials.
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Silver Spring, MD – September 27, 2019 – The Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA), the National Waste and Recycling Association (NWRA), and the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) have signed an Alliance agreement to provide SWANA members, NWRA members and the public with information, guidance, and access to resources to help protect the health and safety of workers in the solid waste industry.
OSHA Deputy Assistant Secretary Loren Sweatt, SWANA CEO & Executive Director David Biderman, and NWRA President & CEO Darrell Smith signed the two-year agreement on September 27, 2019 at the U.S. Department of Labor's Frances Perkins Building. They were joined by SWANA Chapter Safety Ambassadors, county and municipal safety directors, and other representatives from the waste and recycling industry and OSHA to recognize this important partnership.
“SWANA will work closely with NWRA and OSHA to provide timely and useful safety information and resources to the entire industry,” said Biderman. “It doesn’t matter whether a solid waste employee is in the public or private sector; our goal is to protect all solid waste workers. Our network of 42 state chapters in the U.S. provides a nationwide platform for distributing safety information developed under this Alliance.”
The Alliance agreement commits the associations and OSHA to collaborate in safety training and education efforts with a focus on backovers and distracted driving; slips, trips, and falls; needlestick injuries; heat and cold stress; and musculoskeletal injuries. It also provides the opportunity to include OSHA National, Regional and Area Offices in events such as WASTECON® and SWANApalooza.
This Alliance adds an important new component to SWANA’s award winning safety program, which includes SWANA’s Chapter Safety Ambassadors, Hauler Safety Outreach, Slow Down to Get Around (SDTGA), and Safety Summits. The 7th Annual Safety Summit will occur this year at WASTECON® in Phoenix, Arizona, October 21-24, and will feature Biderman discussing the new partnership along with SWANA’s other safety efforts.
March 11, 2024
Safety First: Proper Lifting Techniques
To prevent serious injuries and ensure a safe working environment, follow proper lifting techniques.
March 05, 2024
Safety First: Handling Biohazardous Waste
Biohazardous waste poses unique risks that require careful attention and adherence to safety protocols.
February 09, 2024
Safety First: Stranded in a Vehicle in Winter Weather
Unforeseen events like getting stranded in a vehicle during a winter weather emergency can pose significant challenges. It is crucial to have a plan to stay safe and take appropriate actions to survive.