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Safety Matters

February 27, 2020

Electronic Reporting Deadline

The deadline for electronically reporting OSHA Form 300A data for calendar year 2019 is Monday, March 2, 2020. Establishments with 250 or more employees that are currently required to keep OSHA injury and illness records, and establishments with 20-249 employees that are classified in certain industries with historically high rates of occupational injuries and illnesses, must use the online Injury Tracking Application.

High rate occupations include waste collection (NAICS 5621), waste treatment and disposal (NAICS 5622) and remediation and other waste management services (NAICS 5629).

Employers in State Plan states that have questions about their obligation to submit injury and illness information are instructed to contact their State Plan office.

Accidents in the News

Through January 31, 2020

North Bergen, NJ – A 61-year-old worker was killed at a recycling facility when a bulldozer pushed a dumpster against a concrete wall and the man was crushed between them. MORE

Friendswood, TX – At 6:51 am, a 29-year-old woman rear-ended another vehicle, then veered into oncoming traffic and hit a garbage truck. MORE

Union City, GA – A 35-year-old city sanitation worker was removing garbage from the side of the road when he was struck and killed by a driver. MORE

Queens, NY – A 40-year-old woman and her 10-year-old son were crossing the street when they were struck by a garbage truck making a turn. Both were taken to the hospital in critical condition and the boy later died. MORE

Cambria, NY – At around 12:30 pm, a 49-year-old man was struck and killed by a garbage truck in front of his home. MORE

Brooklyn, NY – A 67-year-old woman was crossing the street midblock at 4:06 am when she was allegedly struck and killed by a garbage truck. MORE

Las Vega, NV – Just after 3 am, a garbage truck collided with a motorcycle that crossed its path. The 66-year-old motorcyclist was killed in the collision. MORE

Dallas Township, PA – At 10:18 am, a 46-year-old woman struck the rear of a garbage truck that was stopped for collection. She was killed in the collision and a 3-year-old passenger in a safety seat was taken to the hospital. The workers were not in their vehicle at the time. MORE

Palatka, FL – Around 6 am, before sunrise, a 32-year-old man was walking southbound on a highway when he was struck and killed by a garbage truck travelling in the same direction. MORE

Hialeah, FL – A collection worker was stabbed and killed by a fellow employee as a result of a dispute. MORE

OSHA’s On-Site Consultation Program

As part of its participation in the OSHA National Alliance, SWANA shares information on OSHA initiatives that may be of interest to its membership. One such program is the On-Site Consultation Program.

Employers can find out about potential hazards at their worksites, improve their occupational safety and health management system, and qualify for an exemption from scheduled Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) enforcement inspections when they request assistance from the agency’s free, confidential, and voluntary On-Site Consultation Program.

OSHA’s consultation service is available through state agencies or universities in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and several U.S. Territories. The highly trained safety and occupational health professionals work with employers to identify workplace hazards, provide advice on compliance with OSHA standards, and assist in establishing workplace safety and health management programs.

This safety and health consultation program is completely separate from the OSHA enforcement inspection effort. In addition, no citations are issued nor penalties proposed by consultants in the On-Site Consultation Program.  It's confidential, too. The employer’s name,  information about the workplace, plus any unsafe or unhealthful working conditions that the consultant uncovers, will not be reported to the OSHA inspection staff.  Employers working with an On-Site Consultation Program are obligated to correct any serious job safety and health hazards – an agreement which employers must make before the consultation begins.

To take advantage of this resource, an employer must request a consultation visit and determines the scope of the visit they want to receive. For more information about OSHA’s On-Site Consultation Program call (800) 321-6742 (OSHA) or visit the agency’s webpage at www.osha.gov/consultation to find the contact details for your state. 

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