Recently, OSHA regulations started to require evaluation of the Refuse and Waste Collection Industry on the same grading basis as the food industry, assigning grades dependent upon injury and illness reports. In 2013, 33 workers died. In 2014, 27 workers died. However, because there were fewer workers in this industry, OSHA states this to be a ‘death rate’ increase of 2.8%.
This increase places our industry as the fifth-highest death rating in the United States. Proceeded by Logging, Fishing, Aircraft Pilots, Roofers, OSHA states our industry must take action and begin submitting injury and illness reports annually, as well as make these reports public. (It is interesting to note that while the Trucking Industry lost 835 drivers, their ‘death rate’ dropped to 23.4%).
Effects of Increased Reporting
While industry experts and organizations like SWANA are speaking up in favor of the potential OSHA enforcement, one wonders how much increased reporting is going to cost the industry and what new regulations will be imposed that might restrict the industry from being efficient. OSHA is continually looking for ways to fund its existence and one wonders if this is guiding their current rulings.
A review of the high fatality industries shows that while each one is highly regulated already, each requires an incredible amount of independent thinking and behavioral cognizance. Many workers are in their own right, a supervisor. The working conditions are ever-changing, not constrained, and usually, call for on-the-spot decision making.
If OSHA regulations imposed that a vehicle could not ever drive in reverse gear, then the impact upon haulers and commercial facilities would be tremendously negative. Certainly one life lost is too many, but regulation must be looked at realistically and with input from the haulers and TSDF’s around the country. Industry customers placing pressure upon facilities to improve safety operations due to grades given would be the free market taking action. However, OSHA requiring specific changes through regulation would not be.
Contact the Experts
Have questions about OSHA regulations and how they may impact your industry? Contact us at MLI Environmental today to speak with our team.