U.S. Government Announces Increase in Solid Waste Collection Fatalities

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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 25, 2011
Contact: David Biderman, 202-364-3743 or davidb@envasns.org

(Indianapolis, Ind.) – According to a report released by the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the number of fatalities for solid waste collection workers increased from 20 in 2009 to 26 in 2010. Because of this number of fatalities, the BLS report ranks the solid waste collection the seventh most-dangerous in the country.

This BLS report is troubling because the industry in recent years has been reducing its injury rate. Last October, another BLS report indicated that the injury and illness rate for solid waste collection workers had decreased dramatically to 6.1 from 7.7 per 100 full time employees, more than a 21 percent decrease from the previous year.

David Biderman, the Safety Director for the National Solid Wastes Management Association (NSWMA), the national group that represent garbage and recycling collectors, reacted to this BLS report, saying, "NSWMA will be exploring the reasons for the increase in reported fatalities. NSWMA will redouble its efforts to prevent fatal accidents, including the release of an updated Safety Manual in 2012."

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. NSWMA recently partnered with the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) to create a bill stuffer (in English and Spanish) that explains the importance of safe driving around garbage trucks.

NSWMA also produced 60-second and 30-second versions of a television ad with support from the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). In addition to this television PSA, NSWMA makes SDTGA decals available that haulers may put on their trucks to remind motorists to drive carefully. To learn more about how you can help protect yourself and keep garbage workers safe, visit http://www.environmentalistseveryday.org/safety, or contact Biderman at safety@envasns.org or 202.364.3743.

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NSWMA – a sub-association of the Environmental Industry Associations (EIA) – 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.

To see a copy of the new SDTGA flyer, visit environmentalistseveryday.org/docs/SDTGA/flyer.pdf.

For more information about the SDTGA Facebook page, visit environmentalistseveryday.org/SDTGA-facebook.