News
Safety Matters
June 24, 2021
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2021 SWANA Safety Awards – Due Wednesday
SWANA is accepting submissions for its 2021 Safety Awards until June 30. Public and private sector solid waste organizations are encouraged to apply for consideration in one of three categories - Best Safety Innovation, Biggest Safety Improvement, or COVID-19 Response. SWANA would like to thank this year’s award program sponsors, Caterpillar, New Way, Peterbilt, and Safe Fleet. |
OSHA Issues Limited COVID-19 Emergency Standard, Updates Guidance for Other Industries
On June 10, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) released an Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) for COVID-19 applicable only to those providing health care services. The limited nature of the ETS reflects the increase in vaccinations nationwide and reduction in infections and hospitalizations. For all other industries, including solid waste management, OSHA has issued updated guidance to mitigate and prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the work place.
The guidance is focused on protecting unvaccinated and other at-risk employees. For those groups, physical distancing and mask use are still recommended. However, “most employers no longer need to take steps to protect their fully vaccinated employees who are not otherwise at-risk from COVID-19 exposure.” The guidance is not a standard or regulation, and state and local rules still apply, including any mask requirements.
2020 U.S. Traffic Fatality Estimates Released, Show Increase Despite Less Driving
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration released preliminary estimates of crash fatalities in 2020 involving motor vehicle occupants, motorcyclists, and people walking and biking. Despite less driving due to the pandemic, its estimated that 38,680 people died in motor vehicle traffic crashes—the largest projected number of fatalities since 2007. This represents an increase of about 7.2 percent as compared to the 36,096 fatalities reported in 2019.
Accidents in the News
Through May 31, 2021
Louisville, KY – At around 4:30 a.m. a 25-year-old male died after crashing into a garbage truck. MORE
Midland, TX – A pedestrian was crossing the road around 6 a.m. when he was struck and killed by a garbage truck making a right turn. MORE
Youngstown, OH – Around 9 a.m. a 33-year-old man died after crashing his dirt bike into a garbage truck. MORE
Montreal, QC – A 74-year-old woman was struck and killed by a garbage truck making a right-hand turn. MORE
Melrose, NM – Two 11-year-old boys were riding on a trailer at a dump site when one of the boys attempted to jump off the trailer and was fatally struck by the trailer tires. MORE
Des Moines, IA – At around 10 am, a 36-year-old man came out from a wooded area onto a highway and was struck and killed by a garbage truck. The victim reportedly was in single vehicle accident earlier that day from which he had left the scene. MORE
Upcoming Safety Events
Safe+Sound Week
August 9-13, 2021
U.S.
Click here for more info>>
Safety Summit @ WASTECON® 2021
November 1 – 4, 2021
Orlando, Florida
Click here for more info>>
