May 08, 2016
Stand-down will create a platform for companies
and organizations nationwide to improve health and safety of employees during summer
months
The
Atlantic County Utilities Authority (ACUA) announced today that it has joined
the 2016 Safety Stand-Down on Water, Rest and Shade, an initiative of the
National Waste & Recycling Association (NWRA.) This week-long training and
awareness effort is focused on keeping collection workers safe during hot
weather.
The 2016 NWRA Safety Stand-Down on Water, Rest
and Shade launches on May 16 with a week-long training and awareness initiative
focused around reducing heat-related illness and injuries, a common challenge
for industries where workers spend considerable time outdoors. This NWRA Safety
Stand-Down will include a daily focus on safety issues related to keeping cool,
hydrated and healthy in warmer weather and will conclude on May 20, 2016. ACUA
is a member of NWRA’s New Jersey Chapter and shares NWRA’s commitment toward
significantly improving safety for the waste and recycling industry.
Participation in the stand down
means that ACUA has joined with waste and recycling companies across the
country to commit to:
- Conducting a risk
assessment at job sites and review safety policies and procedures for water,
rest and shade.
- Review company
policies, procedures, consider enhancements, and then training employees on any
changes.
- Posting Stand-Down
materials to the company website, in employee meeting rooms and on social media
sites.
“We are proud to participate in
this nation-wide effort as we come together to ensure that our workers,
customers and community are all safe,” said Janette Kessler, Safety and Risk
Coordinator of Atlantic County Utilities Authority. “Through training, effective communications
and heightened awareness we are committed to helping improve safety across our
industry.”
NWRA has made safety its top priority, a pledge shared by its
member companies. This Stand-Down will provide participating companies with the
tools, guidance and support necessary to move the needle on heat-related health
incidents. In 2014, 1,160 injury and illness cases with lost workdays involved
exposure to environmental heat in the services providing industries. The Waste
and Recycling industry falls into this sector. The NWRA is assisting with tools
to help employers make employees aware of the risk. Through this Stand-Down,
NWRA aims to prepare companies to address the concern and provide employees the
resources they need to stay healthy in the heat.
"The purpose of the NWRA
Safety Stand Down is to raise awareness, prevent, and teach waste and recycling
industry workers and employers about working in hot weather and provide
valuable resources to address these concerns,” said NWRA President and CEO
Sharon H. Kneiss.
This Stand-Down comes on the
heels of the highly successful NWRA Stand-Down on Backing that took place in
January. This Stand-Down brought together more than 60 percent of the industry
for a week of education, discussion and resource sharing to reduce backing
related incidents.
The Stand-Down brings together
companies and interested parties throughout the nation to raise awareness and
standards for safety by following sound safety practices and by sharing
experiences and solutions. Additional details about the Stand Down can be found
at: https://wasterecycling.org/our-work/safety. The Safety Stand-Down effort is
using the social media hashtag #KeepSafetyCool
As the designated Secretariat
for ANSI Standards for the waste and recycling industry for more than fifty
years, NWRA also coordinates the ongoing development of new and revised
standards for both equipment and protective gear.
ABOUT NWRA
The National Waste & Recycling Association is the
leading organization providing leadership, advocacy, research, education and
safety expertise for the waste and recycling industries. NWRA advocates at the
Federal, State and Local levels on all issues of importance to our member
companies as they provide safe, economically sustainable and environmentally
sound services to communities in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.
ACUA Contact:
Janette Kessler
jkessler@acua.com
609-272-6903