Safety Matters

SWANA Supports Safe + Sound Week

SWANA is proud to support Safe + Sound Week 2022 in order to recognize successful workplace health and safety programs and provide resources to keep America’s workers safe. This year Safe + Sound Week runs August 15 – 21, during which SWANA is sharing safety and health information across its platforms. All organizations are encouraged to participate by starting a safety program, energizing an existing one, or just recognizing safety successes.

“Nothing we do at SWANA is more important than helping workers go home to their families at the end of the day, and unfortunately, we have about one worker fatality per week in the solid waste industry,” stated David Biderman, SWANA’s Executive Director & CEO. “There have been several tragic fatal incidents in the industry over the past few weeks, and we urge solid waste companies and municipal agencies to provide additional resources and training to help keep their workers safe,” Biderman added.

Since early July, solid waste workers have been killed in workplace incidents in Florida, Montana, New York, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. SWANA has sent Safety Alerts about these incidents to the Safety Ambassador in those state chapters.

Support for Safe + Sound Week is part of SWANA’s mission to improve industry safety and get solid waste off the top ten deadliest jobs list. Industry leaders will gather to discuss this at the Safety Summit occurring during WASTECON 2022 in San Diego this December.

Accidents in the News

Kalispell, MT – A 60-year-old landfill foreman was riding his motorcycle at the landfill when for unknown reasons he went under the gate at the scale house and fell off his bike, suffering fatal head injuries. MORE

Ottawa, ON – A 70-year-old woman was struck and killed by a garbage truck. MORE

Sarasota, FL – A worker performing maintenance on the hydraulics of a garbage truck died after the hydraulic blade on the side of the truck activated, causing it to close on his head. MORE

Fredericksburg, VA – A 28-year-old heavy equipment mechanic was killed in an accident involving an industrialized stationary compactor at a convenience center. MORE

Berwick, PA – A van crashed into the rear of a stopped garbage truck, killing the driver of the van. MORE

Raymond, MN – A 56-year-old woman driving a van was killed after crashing into a garbage truck at an intersection. MORE

Montrose, MS – An SUV, garbage truck, and 18-wheeler were traveling south when two of the vehicles stopped while another was making a left-hand turn and the third vehicle collided with them, killing the 63-year-old driver of the SUV. MORE

Newport, RI – At about 7:30 a.m., a 35-year-old motorcyclist was killed while trying to pass a garbage truck making a left turn. MORE

Pompano Beach, FL – A sanitation worker was struck and killed by a deputy’s vehicle after stopping his truck in a left turn lane and stepping out of his truck. MORE

OSHA Updates Resources to Keep Workers Safe in High Temps

OSHA has published a new Temporary Worker Initiative (TWI) Bulletin: Exposure to Outdoor and Indoor Heat-Related Hazards. This document is the 12^th in a series of TWI bulletins addressing the shared responsibilities of host employers and staffing agencies to protect the safety and health of temporary workers. Additional information and resources are available at osha.gov/temporaryworkers.

OSHA has also revised its Heat Illness Prevention campaign webpage. This site has resources on heat illness prevention and first aid, employer responsibility to protect workers from heat, and information for workers who work in hot and humid conditions. These resources include a poster, pamphlet, PSAs, videos, and infographics on how to keep workers safe from heat.

Upcoming Safety Events

Northern Lights Chapter
Disaster Debris Training Course
Nisku, AB
September 21 – 22, 2022
Click here for more info>>

Nation Preparedness Month
National
September 2022
Click here for more info>>

Safety Summit @ WASTECON
San Diego, CA
December 5 – 8, 2022
Click here for more info>>