Solid Waste Industry Trains Louisiana Garbage Collectors to Boost Safety

Industry Working to Reduce Accidents and Injuries for Employees and Others on Road

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 20, 2010
Contact: David Biderman, 202-364-3743

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The National Solid Wastes Management Association (NSWMA) recently led a safety program in New Orleans for Louisiana garbage collectors.  Forty-two solid waste managers and supervisors from several solid waste companies that collect trash and recyclables in Louisiana attended this training program.  Attendees reviewed the latest federal data on fatalities and injuries involving the solid waste industry, the most common causes of accidents, and were given instruction in how to prevent them. Attendees also received updates on new OSHA enforcement policies and DOT’s new CSA 2010 program. IESI hosted the event, and many attendees were IESI employees.

IESI-BFC is the third largest non-hazardous solid waste management company in North America, serving the needs of commercial, industrial and residentialcustomers in Louisiana, 11 other U.S. states and throughout Canada.

NSWMA Safety Director David Biderman said: “Solid waste collection employees face a wide variety of hazards, and the industry has a high fatality rate.  But the industry has been working diligently to improve its record, and we have made great strides in recent years. 

“This was a terrific opportunity for Louisiana haulers to learn how to reduce accidents and injuries. NSWMA plans to hold at least four of these programs in other parts of the U.S. in 2011 to help the solid waste industry improve safety performance,” Biderman said.

In addition to participating in such training sessions, Biderman urges all haulers and local governments to participate in NSWMA’s safety programs, including the Be Safe, Be Proud and Slow Down to Get Around (SDTGA) programs, and communicate the importance of working safely to their employees.

When asked about the program, IESI South Central Region Safety Manager Chris Stewart said, “The information provided at this training was priceless.It provided a reinforcement of safety practices and principles, allowed our managers and supervisors to network with others in the industry and reenergized everyone on the critical importance of driver safety.”

IESI Southshore Division Manager IESI managers Luis Lizama agreed, “IESI participated in the recent NSWMA training as part of our ongoing efforts to promote a safety culture within all our communities and work environment. The NSWMA provided our managers with updated regulations that enhance the professionalism within our industry.”

IESI Northshore Operations Manager Mabel Bell added, “We want the local communities we serve to know about the session.  Our participation sets us apart from our competitors and demonstrates even further that IESI goes the extra mile to make sure their employees are well informed, well trained, and are knowledgeable about safety as well as environmental and federal transportation regulations to ensure the well-being of the community.”

Be Safe, Be Proud is a series of industry safety videos developed by NSWMA (under a grant awarded by the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration) with the solid waste worker in mind. These videos are available in VHS or DVD formats. The 18-20 minute videos (available in English and Spanish) feature actual solid waste employees in real workplace hazard situations faced by drivers and helpers on collection routes or by workers at landfills and transfer stations. They help companies and governments reduce accidents, injuries, and fatalities.

SDTGA is a public awareness program including 60-second and 30-second television and radio public service announcements (PSAs) that NSWMA also developed with support from the OSHA. To request a broadcast-quality copy of the television or radio ads, contact Biderman (davidb@envasns.org or 202.364.3743). In addition to this television PSAs, NSWMA is making SDTGA decals available that haulers may put on their trucks to remind motorists to drive carefully. NSWMA makes the decals available to interested parties at no charge. Haulers can obtain SDTGA truck decals by contacting sales@neihauscorp.com or 859.331.3733).

To learn more about how you can help protect yourself and keep garbage men safe on our roads, visit http://www.environmentalistseveryday.org/safety.

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The National Solid Wastes Management Association (NSWMA) – a sub-association of the Environmental Industry Associations – represents for-profit companies in North America that provide solid, hazardous and medical waste collection, recycling and disposal services, and companies that provide professional and consulting services to the waste services industry. NSWMA members conduct business in all 50 states.