Environmentalists. Every Day. America's Solid Waste Industry

Effective January 27, 2010, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration implemented a texting ban for drivers of commercial motor vehicles subject to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations. NSWMA expressed support for the DOT announcement prohibiting texting by drivers of commercial vehicles such as large trucks and buses. The prohibition is the latest in a series of actions taken by DOT to address distracted driving since it convened a national summit on the issue last year. NSWMA was one of the first associations to advocate for a national ban on texting while driving. NSWMA has publicly supported legislation introduced by Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY) to ban texting while driving. NSWMA participated in the DOT’s September 2009 Distracted Driving Summit. Many NSWMA members already prohibit texting or cell phone use while
driving company vehicles.

The National Solid Wastes Management Association (NSWMA) has filed comments with the U.S. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regarding possible changes in hours of service rules. In its comments, NSWMA strongly urged FMCSA to keep the “100-air mile” reporting exception and the 34-hour reset provision that are a part of current federal hours of service regulations. Learn more here.

The National Solid Wastes Management Association (NSWMA) has filed comments with the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regarding possible new rules addressing “combustible dust,” which likely will be proposed later this year. NSWMA’s comments expressed a concern that OSHA has included the solid waste industry as a target for regulation even though in September 2008, OSHA issued an advisory stating there was no history of combustible dust events at transfer stations, materials recovery facilities (MRFs) or landfills. Read more.

NSWMA is calling for Driver of the Year Award nominations. This program seeks to honor drivers who have upheld the field of solid waste management as an honorable occupation and who have conducted themselves and operated their vehicles in a safe and responsible manner. It is a great way for companies and municipalities to recognize their best and safest drivers. All nominees receive a gift package and certificate of appreciation. Finalists also receive a personalized plaque. The winner in each category is honored in person at Waste Expo and receives a commemorative gift and $1000 cash prize. The deadline for 2010 DOY awards is December 11, 2009. Find the necessary nomination form here.

EIA is encouraging the member companies of NSWMA and WASTEC to prepare and plan for a potential flu pandemic, which could result in a substantial number of sick workers, and could be disruptive to operations and contractual obligations.  To this end, EIA recently shared a fact sheet with all NSWMA and WASTEC members.

As Senator Charles Schumer (New York) addressed the participants of the U.S. DOT Distracted Driving Summit in D.C. earlier today, he mentioned NSWMA as one of the business groups that has endorsed his “Alert Drivers Act.” This bill would require states to bar the sending of text or email messages while driving a car or truck, or risk losing federal highway funds.

This summit is an important meeting from which legislation may result, among other safety initiatives. NSWMA and an industry representative were invited to participate in the event.

Learn more about this bill and NSWMA’s support.

The federal Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) recently released fatality data for 2008, and there was an increase in solid waste collection employee deaths in 2008 compared to 2007.   Truck rollovers, backing and being struck by a car were the most common causes of these fatal accidents.  The majority of those killed worked for small haulers and local governments.  NSWMA believes that even one workplace fatality per year is one too many, and will continue its effort to provide safety information to solid waste companies and local governments that helps them reduce their accidents and injuries.

The U.S. DOT is convening a Distracted Driving Summit in D.C. on Sept. 30 – Oct. 1, 2009.  This is an important meeting from which legislation may result, among other safety initiatives. An industry representative has been invited to participate on the panel for the event.

In a related matter, Senator Schumer introduced a bill in July that would require states to bar the sending of text or email messages while driving a car or truck, or risk losing federal highway funds. NSWMA has announced its support for that legislation.

OSHA Region IV recently launched a regional emphasis program (REP) to reduce workplace exposures to health hazards in scrap and waste material recycling operations. Although the primary focus of the REP appears to be facilities that process scrap metal, all facilities in SIC Code 5093 are potential targets. A copy of the REP is here.

Three workers died at a transfer station in Queens last week in a confined space accident. The disposal facility hired a company to clean out a dry well. The company did not test the atmosphere in the 18 foot deep well before an employee went into it, and he did not have respiratory protection. This employee passed out, his father went into the well to save him, and then a transfer station employee tried to save them. All three men died. NSWMA sends condolences to the family and colleagues of the three victims of this horrible accident.

NSWMA members and others are strongly urged to make sure their employees receive proper training on confined space hazards. Learn more about this particular accident.

For more information about safety and OSHA compliance issues affecting
the solid waste and recycling industries, contact me.