Safety Matters

SWANA Supports Safe + Sound Week

Safe + Sound Week is a nationwide event held each August that recognizes the successes of workplace health and safety programs and offers information and ideas on how to keep America's workers safe. SWANA is proud to again participate this week in this important initiative by sharing important safety tips and resources all week long via social media. To receive this valuable information and more, follow SWANA on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or LinkedIn. 

Accidents in the News

From June 1 to July 31, 2021

On July 23, a solid waste collection employee died following a fatal collision with a tractor trailer in Nassau County, just outside of New York City. According to local media reports, the truck was backing onto a customer’s property when it was struck. In response, SWANA issued a press release reminding all solid waste and recycling collection workers that riding on the riding steps or the back of the truck when the truck is backing is very dangerous and can lead to a fatality. One of  SWANA’s Safety Matters newsletters highlighted this specific hazard earlier this year.

SWANA’s Safety Matters is an important source of topical information for safety meetings and toolbox talks and is relied on by local governments and haulers throughout the United States and Canada. All SWANA members receive the newsletter every Sunday. If you are not currently receiving it and would like to do so, please email marketing@swana.org. If you are interested in sponsoring Safety Matters, please contact Jesse Maxwell at jmaxwell@swana.org.

Victoria, BC – A pedestrian was struck and killed by a garbage truck after being pushed into traffic by another individual during an altercation. MORE

Los Angeles, CA – A passenger was killed when a vehicle involved in a police pursuit crashed into a trash truck. MORE

Chemung, NY – A garbage truck stopped in the roadway and a helper stepped off the back to make a pickup. The worker walked into the oncoming lane and was struck by an approaching passenger vehicle. MORE

Hancock County, GA – A 47-year-old driver died after he crossed the centerline and then was struck by an oncoming trash truck. MORE

Winston-Salem, NC – A 63-year-old collection driver was killed while dumping at a landfill. The victim was operating the tarp controls of his roll-off truck when he was struck and killed by a backing bulldozer operator. MORE

Mecklenburg County, NC – A 57-year-old maintenance employee was electrocuted while doing work at a MRF. NO ARTICLE

Red Wing, MN – An 18-year-old female was driving a pick-up truck when she reportedly crossed the center line and collided with an oncoming garbage truck. MORE

Brown County, OH – The owner of a waste collection business was out on the route when he was struck and killed by a vehicle while collecting trash at the end of a driveway. MORE

Eddyville, KY – A 42-year-old collection driver was killed after colliding with a tractor-trailer that was stopped in the road due to an earlier crash. MORE

Sour Lake, TX – A 45-year-old driver died after crossing the center line and striking an oncoming garbage truck. MORE

Fort Mill, SC – A contractor picking up debris along a highway was struck and killed by a vehicle. MORE

Hodgenville, KY – A 22-year-old died after crashing their vehicle into the back of a garbage truck. MORE

Ahloso, OK –A motorcyclist died in a collision with a garbage truck after trying to pass as the truck was turning. MORE

Morro Bay, CA – A pedestrian was struck and killed by a garbage truck. MORE

Eddyville, IA – A 58-year-old driver was killed and his passenger injured when they struck the side of a garbage truck that was crossing a highway. MORE

Boynton Beach, FL – A 34-year-old man on a scooter was killed after striking the wheel of a garbage truck as the truck was making a turn. MORE

Savannah, GA – The driver of a car going the wrong direction on an interstate struck a garbage truck head-on, killing the driver and injuring the passenger. MORE

Columbus, OH – A garbage truck was stopped for collection when an 89-year-old man crashed into the back of the truck and was killed. MORE

Grant Parish, LA – The driver of a Jeep Grand Cherokee crossed the centerline and collided head-on with a garbage truck. The Jeep then caught fire and the driver was killed. MORE

Pawnee County, OK – A woman was killed and her infant child injured when she failed to stop at an intersection and was struck by a garbage truck. MORE

Upcoming Safety Events

Ontario Chapter Landfill Fire Safety Training
November 9 – 10, 2021
Online
Click here for more info>>

Safety Summit @ WASTECON 2021
November 1 – 4, 2021
Orlando, Florida
Click here for more info>>