OSHA renews alliance to improve worker safety in waste and recycling industry

In a renewed alliance, OSHA, the National Waste & Recycling Association (NWRA), and the Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA) will continue to work together to improve the safety and health of workers in the solid waste and recycling industry.

The partnership will focus on safety issues such as:

• Transportation hazards;
• Slips, trips, and falls;
• Needlestick and musculoskeletal injuries; and
• Health issues associated with lithium battery hazards in waste/recycling collection and processing.

OSHA, NWRA, and SWANA will develop resources to help employers prevent and mitigate hazards, including:

• Educational articles,
• Fact sheets, and
• Toolkits.

The group will share these resources and additional information at conferences, forums, and meetings, with much of their outreach aimed at reaching small- and medium-sized employers who may have limited access to safety information.