Safety Matters

OSHA Starts Heat Stress Rulemaking Process

The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has initiated rulemaking to protect workers from heat stress by issuing an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) for Heat Injury and Illness Prevention in Outdoor and Indoor Work Settings. This allows the agency to solicit comments from the public before putting out an official proposal. Currently, OSHA does not have a standard specific to hazardous heat conditions.

OSHA will use the ANPRM to gather additional information about the extent and nature of hazardous heat in the workplace, and the nature and effectiveness of interventions and controls used to prevent heat-related injury and illness. The ANPRM provides an overview of the problem of heat stress in the workplace and of measures that have been taken to prevent it. OSHA is seeking information on issues it can consider in developing the standard, including the scope of the standard and the types of controls that might be required.

Comments will be accepted through December 27, 2021. SWANA will work with the Core Advocacy Group, Chapter Safety Ambassadors, Safety Committee, and others to review and respond to the ANPRM in order to most effectively protect solid waste workers. Members with existing heat stress prevention and response plans are urged to share those with SWANA for reference by sending them to Jesse Maxwell, SWANA Advocacy & Safety Senior Manager at jmaxwell@swana.org.  

Senate Confirms OSHA Administrator

Douglas Parker has been confirmed by the U.S. Senate to serve as Administrator for the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Parker takes on the role after serving as chief of California’s Division of Occupational Safety and Health. He previously served as deputy assistant secretary for policy in the Labor Department’s Mine Safety and Health Administration under the Obama administration and was part of President Biden’s transition team.

OSHA has not had a permanent Administrator since January 2017. Under the Biden Administration, James Frederick, Acting Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health, has been leading OSHA. Frederick previously provided remarks at SWANA’s virtual Safety Summit in February 2021.

OSHA Highlights SWANA Participation in Safe + Sound Week

SWANA was honored to be recognized as a highlighted partner in the latest edition of OSHA’s Safe + Sound Partnership News for our efforts in support of this year’s Safe + Sound Week. SWANA thanks all the members and others in the industry who helped to amplify the safety messaging this past August.  

SWANA Sees Steep Decrease in 2021 Worker Fatalities

As of October 25, SWANA has recorded 21 worker fatalities in the solid waste industry in the United States and Canada. This is half as many fatalities by that date compared to the past two years. While a final report for the year will not be released by SWANA until early 2022, it appears that there has been a downturn in worker fatalities this year.

SWANA urges everyone to continue efforts to reduce accidents and injuries on the job to keep these numbers from increasing. SWANA initiatives and resources are available to provide assistance in planning and managing safety programs, and the upcoming Safety Summit at WASTECON in Orlando, Florida will provide an in-person opportunity to share best practices and review the state of industry safety.

Accidents in the News

Scotch Plains, NJ – A garbage truck went over a speed bump with a 74-year-old worker on the riding step. He apparently lost his grip and fell, resulting in a fatal head injury. SWANA has been in contact with OSHA regarding this tragic event. MORE

Aberdeen, MS – A 27-year-old driver died after allegedly travelling at a high rate of speed through a stop sign and striking a roll off truck, causing it to rollover. MORE

Spring Grove, IL – An 87-year-old man was walking near the edge of the pavement on a street when he was struck and killed by a garbage truck. MORE

Hopkins County, TX – A car rear-ended a garbage truck that was stopped on an interstate, killing an 11-year-old passenger in the car. MORE

Dallas, TX – A valet trash collection service worker was shot and killed during a carjacking. MORE

Upcoming Safety Events

Safety Summit @ WASTECON 2021
November 1 – 4, 2021
Orlando, Florida
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Ontario Chapter Landfill Fire Safety Training
November 9 – 10, 2021
Online
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Virginia Chapter - Annual Health and Safety Session
November 10, 2021
Henrico, Virginia
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SWANA Canadian Safety Summit
November 23 & 24, 2021
Online
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