TOP TEN ACCIDENTS AND HOW TO PREVENT THEM

摘要

SOME OF THE MOST DANGEROUS JOBS IN THE UNITED STATES ARE FOUND IN THE WASTE SERVICES INDUSTRY. STATISTICAL INFORMATION FROM THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS, ANECDOTAL EVIDENCE AND HISTORIC OSHA CITATIONS WERE USED TO IDENTIFY THE MOST COMMON ACCIDENTS THAT OCCUR IN THIS INDUSTRY. THE NATURE OF WASTE INDUSTRY JOBS EXPOSES WORKERS TO A VARIETY OF SITUATIONS IN WHICH THEY MUST HANDLE HEAVY LOADS, WORK AROUND DANGEROUS EQUIPMENT IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO TRAFFIC AND NOISE, OR BE SUBJECTED TO OTHER DISTRACTIONS. THESE JOBS OFTEN REQUIRE HEAVY LIFTING WHICH CAN RESULT IN INJURY WHERE ERGONOMIC FACTORS ARE LESS THAN OPTIMAL. POOR WORKING CONDITIONS OR FAILURE TO FOLLOW CORRECT PROCEDURES CAN CAUSE WORKERS TO BE INJURED BY BEING STRUCK BY OR CAUGHT IN EQUIPMENT AND VEHICLES COMMONLY USED IN TRANSFER STATIONS AND RECYCLING FACILITIES. UNFORTUNATELY, THESE INJURIES ARE SOMETIMES FATAL. IN ORDER TO PREVENT SUCH INJURIES AND FATALITIES, MANAGEMENT IN WASTE SERVICE INDUSTRIES NEED TO BE PROACTIVE AND VIGILENT TO INSURE COMPLETE IMPLEMENTATION OF STRONG SITE SPECIFIC SAFETY PROGRAMS. THE MOST EFFECTIVE PROGRAMS REQUIRE FULL MANAGEMENT SUPPORT, ACTIVE EMPLOYEE PARTICIPATION, AND EFFECTIVE TRAINING.