Recycling Industry Ramps Up Focus on Safety

SEATTLE (Waste 360): It’s no secret that the job of a sanitation worker is one of the most dangerous professions in the U.S. It has been ranked in the top five deadliest jobs list for years now, but those working in the waste and recycling industry are constantly aiming to make the roles within the industry safer.

From improving programs, to providing more training, to utilizing more technology, to proposing and passing new regulation and legislation, industry leaders are working hard to ensure that workers return home safe to their families each day.

Two associations leading the industry’s safety efforts are the National Waste & Recycling Association (NWRA) and the Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA). Both associations offer a range of training materials, such as Safety Monday emails, and support laws like the Slow Down to Get Around legislation, which requires motorists to slow down and safely move over when approaching certain vehicles on the roadway.

“Since I got brought on board earlier this year, I have been trying to bridge the gap between what we’re seeing on the ground and what policies are being introduced and set in place,” says Kirk Sander, vice president of safety and standards at NWRA. “As part of that, NWRA has joined the Our Roads, Our Safety coalition, which allows us to help make commercial vehicle safety a priority."

As part of the Our Roads, Our Safety coalition, NWRA is focused on ramping up the conversation around distracted driving, which is a danger to workers and civilians alike.

“Many people don’t realize that our trucks stop every 27 seconds or so to pick up trash on residential routes. That is much different than other trucks out on the road, so it’s important for all drivers and pedestrians to be on the lookout for our vehicles,” states Sander. “Some of our members have shared videos captured by camera technology that show distracted drivers hitting a worker or garbage truck. These distracted drivers have caused some gruesome incidents, therefore educating everyone on the dangers of distracted driving is important.”

Driving while texting is a national epidemic, according to David Biderman, executive director and CEO of SWANA. And while it endangers other drivers on the road, it also endangers pedestrians and bikers who are in crosswalks and bike lanes.

“I see it every day on my way to work, and I can only imagine what it looks like from the cab of a garbage truck,” comments Biderman. “Putting aside the waste industry, it’s not a coincidence that the number of transportation-related fatalities have increased over the years after decades of decline as the use of smartphones increases.”

In an effort to decrease these transportation-related fatalities, SWANA is working closely with its members, lawmakers, municipalities and others to understand how the waste industry can play a bigger role in ensuring safety on the roadways.

One person who is stepping up to the plate to let the industry know how it can improve safety on the roadways is Michael Barasch, a transportation attorney for Barasch McGarry Salzman & Penson, who has represented hundreds of people harmed in train, bus and car crashes.

“The waste and recycling industry provides an important service of cleaning up our streets and handling our waste, but the problem is it appears to be so unregulated that drivers aren’t operating or maintaining vehicles in a safe way,” states Barasch. “Many are being forced to work extra hours due to a labor shortage, and many are striving to hit companies’ goals of completing as many pickups as possible on a route. These goals can cause employees to work too fast, putting themselves and others in danger.”

Courtesy: https://waste360.com