Participation in the stand down means that Action Environmental Group has joined with waste and recycling companies across the country to commit to:
1. Conducting a risk assessment at job sites and review safety policies and procedures for backing.
2. Review company policies, procedures, consider enhancements, and then training employees on any changes.
3. Posting Stand Down materials to the company website, in employee meeting rooms and on social media sites.
"Action has always made the safety of our employees and community a top priority, so we are proud to participate in this nation-wide effort," said Ken Levine Director of Safety at Action Environmental Group. "Through training, effective communications and heightened awareness we are committed to helping improve safety across our industry."
Participating in this Stand Down will proved the tools, guidance and support necessary to reduce the number of backing incidents and improve safety measures.
Along with utilizing the resources from the NWRA Stand Down Tool Kit, Action Environmental will focus their monthly safety meeting around the central topic of safe backing practices. To institute these ideals in the real world safe backing observations of routes and at the disposal facilities will be conducted. Drivers and contractors will receive safety handouts all week with safe backing best practices. Safety messages will be communicated throughout the company via display monitors for all employees to see. Crews who operate under safe backing techniques will be rewarded for their continued dedication to safety.
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. In November, NWRA's Kneiss issued a call to action on safety for the industry to work toward significantly reducing injuries and fatalities in waste and recycling facilities as part of a comprehensive, data-driven and multifaceted initiative. NWRA is making in-house experts available to member companies to assist in adapting best practices to their individual facilities and implement them accordingly.
More information about the Stand Down can be found at: https://wasterecycling.org/our-work/safety