scope:

SUMMARY

The solid waste industry places the highest emphasis on employee and community safety. Solid waste companies recognize the relationship between safe operations and maintaining a productive and healthy workforce, providing a responsible presence to customers and the communities in which they operate, and controlling the cost of waste services. Despite the many potential hazards associated with refuse collection, processing and disposal, solid waste companies continue to make great strides towards becoming safer workplaces.

This paper reviews industry-specific safety data, initiatives being taken to improve safety, describes the positive impact these initiatives are having, and addresses the challenges facing the industry as it seeks to further reduce fatalities, injuries and accidents.