Page 14 - Nov/Dec 2015 Vol. 33 No. 5
P. 14
STATEWIDE By Travis Smith
Managing the Human Element
to Maintain Safety in Solid Waste Processing
Transfer stations and landfills are PUTTING SAFETY FIRST like using three points of contact when
busy environments where the stress of getting on and off equipment, using
meeting production quotas can produce The safety goal in any operation is to personal protective equipment, wearing
high levels of machine and foot traffic. reduce the number of accidents to zero, seatbelts, completing daily inspections
The volume of incoming waste requires so putting safety first means proactively and utilizing safety checklists.
multiple large machines, often working trying to avoid accidents through proper
rapid cycles in limited spaces, making training and worksite awareness. Training ACCEPTING PERSONAL
safety a major priority. is one of the best ways to address the RESPONSIBILITY
human factors in jobsite safety, since
Working with solid waste could be it helps everyone on the job learn to Safety starts with each individual
the most challenging job your team manage the risks inherent to landfill and accepting personal responsibility. But
ever does. So how do you make sure transfer station operations. what is personal responsibility?
you and your co-workers make it
safely through every shift? By being STRESSING SAFETY FROM THE TOP Workers are responsible for much
committed to safety, working together, more than just their own safety; they are
following rules and most importantly— A commitment to safety by senior responsible for the safety of their fellow
communicating. Landfill and transfer management is needed to properly workers. Loved ones at home depend on
station communications should include communicate the importance of worksite them every day and rely on the work unit
conducting a pre-shift meeting with safety for workers at all levels. Without and the team to look out for each other.
taking time to map out a plan for the visible safety leadership demonstrated Workers should keep in mind that, when
conditions of the day and making eye at the top, the commitment to safety at they are working safely, they are doing
contact with machine operators while other levels is difficult to sustain. more than looking out for themselves—
standing clear of other equipment. they’re also looking out for the safety
Like all important business initiatives, of everyone on the team so they can get
this may include stressing safety practices home safely, too.
Solid waste processing presents unique challenges And it’s not just about co-workers; we
to creating a safe environment that protects have a responsibility to bystanders as
every person on the job. well. Always make sure that bystanders
are at a safe distance from any piece
14 TPW November/December 2015 of equipment before operating it. Do
not allow passengers inside or outside
cabs. Make sure that operators create
a safe work zone in which bystanders
and jobsite personnel know how to keep
themselves and the entire site safe.
UNDERSTANDING HUMAN FACTORS
The primary human factors that
contribute to accidents on the jobsite fall
into three major categories: the machine,
the conditions and the operator.
Understanding the factors in these
categories can help you maintain a safe
environment on your jobsite.
The machine:
• Review safety procedures for your job
and work area on a daily basis
• Follow all procedures and checklists,
such as machine walk around or start-
up and shut-down procedures
• Understand how unsafe acts can lead
to accidents
The conditions:
• Watch for materials that can be
potential projectiles (scrap metal, large
Managing the Human Element
to Maintain Safety in Solid Waste Processing
Transfer stations and landfills are PUTTING SAFETY FIRST like using three points of contact when
busy environments where the stress of getting on and off equipment, using
meeting production quotas can produce The safety goal in any operation is to personal protective equipment, wearing
high levels of machine and foot traffic. reduce the number of accidents to zero, seatbelts, completing daily inspections
The volume of incoming waste requires so putting safety first means proactively and utilizing safety checklists.
multiple large machines, often working trying to avoid accidents through proper
rapid cycles in limited spaces, making training and worksite awareness. Training ACCEPTING PERSONAL
safety a major priority. is one of the best ways to address the RESPONSIBILITY
human factors in jobsite safety, since
Working with solid waste could be it helps everyone on the job learn to Safety starts with each individual
the most challenging job your team manage the risks inherent to landfill and accepting personal responsibility. But
ever does. So how do you make sure transfer station operations. what is personal responsibility?
you and your co-workers make it
safely through every shift? By being STRESSING SAFETY FROM THE TOP Workers are responsible for much
committed to safety, working together, more than just their own safety; they are
following rules and most importantly— A commitment to safety by senior responsible for the safety of their fellow
communicating. Landfill and transfer management is needed to properly workers. Loved ones at home depend on
station communications should include communicate the importance of worksite them every day and rely on the work unit
conducting a pre-shift meeting with safety for workers at all levels. Without and the team to look out for each other.
taking time to map out a plan for the visible safety leadership demonstrated Workers should keep in mind that, when
conditions of the day and making eye at the top, the commitment to safety at they are working safely, they are doing
contact with machine operators while other levels is difficult to sustain. more than looking out for themselves—
standing clear of other equipment. they’re also looking out for the safety
Like all important business initiatives, of everyone on the team so they can get
this may include stressing safety practices home safely, too.
Solid waste processing presents unique challenges And it’s not just about co-workers; we
to creating a safe environment that protects have a responsibility to bystanders as
every person on the job. well. Always make sure that bystanders
are at a safe distance from any piece
14 TPW November/December 2015 of equipment before operating it. Do
not allow passengers inside or outside
cabs. Make sure that operators create
a safe work zone in which bystanders
and jobsite personnel know how to keep
themselves and the entire site safe.
UNDERSTANDING HUMAN FACTORS
The primary human factors that
contribute to accidents on the jobsite fall
into three major categories: the machine,
the conditions and the operator.
Understanding the factors in these
categories can help you maintain a safe
environment on your jobsite.
The machine:
• Review safety procedures for your job
and work area on a daily basis
• Follow all procedures and checklists,
such as machine walk around or start-
up and shut-down procedures
• Understand how unsafe acts can lead
to accidents
The conditions:
• Watch for materials that can be
potential projectiles (scrap metal, large
