Protect yourself from unexpected hazards in household waste: Always wear puncture resistant gloves while working. Look at what you are picking up, before grabbing it. Do not use your body to compress a trash bag or cardboard box Do not pick up Red Bag waste, Sharps Containers, Biohazard labeled containers and/or needles. If you see these items, stop and notify…
Covering the Brake is a Defensive Driving technique where the driver places their right foot over the brake pedal but not touching the pedal. BENEFITS: Reduces speed by foot not being on the accelerator. Faster reaction time if braking is needed. WHEN TO COVER THE BRAKE: When approaching a traffic light. While driving past cars parked on the side of…
75% of New Year’s Resolutions are aimed at spending more time with Friends and Family, Health and Self Improvement. The best way to ensure these happen is to resolve to work safely. The key to success is focusing on 1 or 2 very specific goals. Pledge to: Avoid Backing. Use Proper Following Distance. Follow Lockout/Tagout. Use Proper Lifting Techniques. Use…
Spotters play an important role at a landfill, on the tipping floor and on the street, anywhere a vehicle may have to back-up. Spotters protect pedestrians and property when a truck or heavy equipment move in reverse. However spotters themselves can be at risk for injury or even death and also need protection. Employers can implement the following actions to…
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR) require Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV) drivers to immediately activate their vehicle’s hazard warning signal flashers any time an emergency requires them to stop on any part of the road or adjacent shoulder. Flashers must be left on until the emergency warning devices are placed according to regulations specified below. Emergency warning devices must be…
During the week of Oct. 18-24, 2015, law enforcement agencies throughout North America will increase traffic safety enforcement and education aimed at unsafe driving behaviors by both commercial motor vehicle drivers and car drivers. The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s (CVSA) Operation Safe Driver Week in partnership with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and support from industry organizations like…
October 4-10 is national Fire Prevention Week. Fires are a risk to all operations in the solid waste industry including collection, processing, disposal, and at manufacturing facilities. Training Review your fire prevention plan and emergency action plan. Conduct fire extinguisher training and evacuation drills with employees. Trucks and Mobile Equipment Clean debris from in and around the engine and behind…
Backing is the most common type of accident involving our industry’s trucks and contributes to 25% of all traffic accidents. What can you do to avoid the dangers of backing? Avoid backing by planning ahead. Alert your supervisor or dispatch if a container or stop could be changed to eliminate or minimize backing. Use a spotter, if possible. STOP. Check…
When you think about safety, you often focus on keeping front-line workers (drivers, helpers, heavy equipment operators, mechanics) safe and preventing them from being injured or killed in an accident. Recent events have shown Waste Industry managers and supervisors also need to ensure the safety of their temporary workers, contractors and customers: 26 year old construction worker was killed when…
SWANA Launches Safety Ambassador Initiative at Chapter Level Silver Spring, MD – As part of the expansion of its safety program, the Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA) is pleased to announce the launch of its Safety Ambassador initiative at its 45 chapters in the United States and Canada. Under this new program, SWANA chapters will identify a member…
