Transcript Practical Safety Tips For The Solid Waste Industry

Practical Safety Tips
For
Municipal Solid Waste
Departments
David Biderman – EIA/NSWMA/WASTEC
[email protected]
202-364-3743
2007 Fall Summit
Philadelphia, PA
Solid Waste Fatality Data
Most DPW and solid waste managers know solid waste
collection is dangerous. Do you know how dangerous?
• Waste/recyclable collection workers have the 5th
highest fatality rate in the United States!
– 41.8 per 100,000 workers (38 in 2006).
– 10 times higher than the national average.
– 4 times higher than construction.
• About 20 other employee fatalities at transfer
stations, landfills and MRF’s.
Solid Waste Injury Data
Solid waste employees also have high injury and
illness rates and days away from work:
Injury Rate
Waste Collection 8.5 per 100
Waste Disposal 7.3 per 100
Days Away
3.6 per 100
2.46 per 100
Solid Waste Accident Data
Solid waste vehicles are also involved in many
accidents causing fatalities, injuries and property
damage to third-parties.
• Solid waste vehicles were involved in crashes
involving 97 fatalities and 2,428 injuries to thirdparties in 2005.
Now That I Have Your Attention…
How are you going to reduce the frequency and
severity of accidents and injuries and reduce the
number of employee and third-party fatalities?
Practical Safety Tips
• The majority of accidents and injuries are caused by
unsafe BEHAVIOR, not unsafe conditions
• Safety = getting adults to change their
unsafe behavior
• This is not easy
Practical Safety Tips
Traditional elements of a good safety program:
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Management Commitment
Employee Participation
Hazard Assessment
Hazard Abatement
Medical Management
Measure Performance
Practical Safety Tips
Safety needs to be more than a “program”:
• Safety should be part of your department’s culture –
part of your DNA.
• Commissioners and managers need to “own” safety
and play a leadership role with drivers, helpers and
others.
Safety: More Than Just a Program
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Training
Job Observation – PPE/Unsafe Acts
Pre-Trip and Post-Trip Inspections
Safety Meetings
Communication
Progressive Discipline for Unsafe Acts
Incentives – Safe v. Fast
Equipment – Automated and Safety Add-ons.
Who Are You Hiring?
Training
• New Hires and Existing Employees.
• How to Train:
– Multimedia – pictures/video, classroom,
computer.
– Interactive.
– Keep it short.
– Make it relevant – e.g., PPE/
eyewear.
– Use humor.
– Language/literacy issues.
Route Observation
• The best way for you to find out if your drivers and
helpers are following the rules and working safely is
to watch them:
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PPE
Seat Belts
Backing
Riding Steps
Speed
Cell Phone
Routing
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Are routes developed with safety in mind?
Minimize backing.
Eliminate crossing streets and zigzags.
Safe speed.
Unprotected left hand turns.
Safety Incentives
• Should you have them?
• Safety v. production incentives.
• Individual v. group incentives:
– Do some incentives discourage
reporting of injuries?
• Behavior Incentives.
• Money v. gift cards v. stuff.
• Management/drivers/helpers.
Repeaters
What do you do to deal with employees who get into
multiple accidents? One large solid waste company
has determined 50% of claims were caused by 10%
of employees,
– Zero tolerance.
– 3 strikes and you’re out.
– Focused refresher training with a “safety leader.”
Transfer Stations and Landfills
• All employees need to wear PPE.
• Space management.
• Traffic flow.
• Who gets out of the truck?
• Spotters.
ANSI – Critical to Safety
The ANSI Z245 standards provide a blueprint for safe
waste collection operations:
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No one on step when backing.
No one on step when >10 mph or .2 miles.
No one on sill or in hopper.
Face vehicle with both hands on handholds.
If we don’t comply with ANSI standards, federal and
state governments will pass laws changing how we do
our jobs (cameras, helmets, training).
OSHA Compliance
The 3 most common OSHA violators for solid waste
companies:
• Hazard Communication
• Lockout Tagout
• Confined Space
These violations involve safety hazards that can be
prevented.
Changing the Safety Culture
It isn’t easy – but it’s critical!
• Management’s Role.
• Employee Participation.
• Safety Committee
• Incentives/Punishment.
• Communication – Slogans/Signs/Wristbands.
Practical Safety Tips –
The Bottom Line
• There is no magic solution.
• Successful employers are focusing on employee
behavior.
• Safety is an investment, not an expense.
• Don’t wait until an accident happens.
Practical Safety Tips –
Additional Resources
• EIA/NSWMA/WASTEC
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-www.nswma.org
- www.wastec.org
- [email protected]
Safety Monday
ANSI Standards
Safety Videos
Coaching the Refuse Driver
• OSHA website
– Lots of Spanish Info
– Voluntary programs
- www.osha.gov