Workplace Safety & Health in the Solid Waste Industry

1. Workplace Safety & Health in the Solid Waste Industry

2. Division of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) • Washington is a “State Plan State” • Operates under WISHA • Covers private and public employers • Standards must be at least as effective as OSHA

3. DOSH • Compliance • Consultation • Outreach • Risk Management • Technical Services

4. Rules • Chapter 296 WAC • Vertical and horizontal rules • “Core Rules” • Applies to most workplaces • Safety Committee • Accident Prevention Program • Personal Protective Equipment

5. “Safe Place” Standard • WAC 296-800-11005 • Provide a workplace free from recognized hazards • You must: • Provide your employees a workplace free from recognized hazards that are causing, or are likely to cause, serious injury or death.

6. Workplace Hazard A hazard is recognized if it is commonly known in the employer’s industry, or if there is evidence that the employer knew of should have known of the existence of the hazard, or any reasonable person would have recognized the hazard

7. DOSH Compliance • Safety Compliance – Physical hazards from tools & machinery, flammables, falls, etc. • Industrial Hygiene Compliance – Health hazards from chemicals, dust, noise, microorganisms, heat, radiation, etc. • Discrimination investigations – Protects employees from retaliation

8. Investigations • Complaints • Referrals • Hospitalizations and deaths • Planned

9. Enforcement • Citations • De Minimus • General • Serious • Willful • Citations may be appealed within 15 days of receiving the C & N

10. Variances • Permanent variance • Allows employers to provide alternate means for protection • May be revoked at any time • Temporary variance • Must have an effective plan in place for coming into compliance as soon as possible

11. DOSH Consultation • Provides no cost consultation services • At employer’s request • All operations are separate from compliance • Program deficiencies must still be corrected

12. DOSH Outreach • Forms, outlines, videos, & publications • Training Kits & online training • Confined spaces • Bloodborne pathogens • Workshops • Accident Prevention Program • Outdoor heat exposure

13. BLS Statistics • Refuse collection is one of the most hazardous jobs in the country. • In 2009 the fatality rate was 25/100,00 FTEs, compared to 3.3 for general industry. • This ranks #7, with only occupations such as logging and commercial fishing ranking ahead.

14. Compensation Claims • Abrasions, cuts, and contusions • Sprains and strains • Eye injuries • Animal or insect bite • Burns • Fractures • Temperature related illness

15. Recognized Hazards • Moving vehicle injuries • Musculoskeletal injuries • Extreme temperatures • Loading/unloading hazards • Confined spaces • Potential energy

16. Standards • Accident prevention Program • First aid • Personal protective equipment • Fall protection • Lock Out Tag Out • Bloodborne pathogens

17. DOSH Investigations • Employee was run over by a loader while the loader was traveling in reverse. • WAC 296-155-615 cited – No employee shall permit earthmoving or compacting equipment which has an obstructed view to the rear to be used in reverse gear unless the equipment has a reverse signal alarm…

18. DOSH Investigations • Employee was riding on the outside of disposal truck and not engaged in residential solid waste collection. • WAC 296-865 cited - Transport all passengers safely, make sure all employees use seat belts if the vehicle is equipped with seat belts. OSHA Office of Training and Education

19. DOSH Investigations • Employees were not provided with a means to determine and maintain a safe and legal gross vehicle weight load. • WAC 296-800-11010 cited - Provide and use safety devices, safeguards, and use work practices, methods, processes, and means that are reasonably adequate to make your workplace safe. OSHA Office of Training and Education

20. DOSH Investigations • The employer did not obtain written approval from the manufacturer to modify a PIT. • WAC 296-863-20010 cited - Have written approval from the PIT manufacturer before making any modifications to the PIT that … add extra parts not provided by the PIT manufacturer. OSHA Office of Training and Education

21. DOSH investigations • Employer did not assure the electronic dump feature was operational requiring the driver to exit the vehicle to manually operate. • WAC 296-865 cited – Make sure all equipment is and accessories are operational and safe to use.

22. DOSH Investigations • The employer did not establish a LOTO program to ensure protection of employees while performing equipment service and maintenance. • WAC 296-803 cited - Establish a written energy control program to protect employees that service or maintain a machine or equipment from injury … OSHA Office of Training and Education

23. DOSH Investigations • The employer failed to make available the Hepatitis B vaccine and vaccination series to all employees who have occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens. • WAC 296-823 cited - Make hepatitis B vaccination available to employees with occupational exposure to blood and OPIM

24. DOSH Investigations • The employer did not ensure that the conveyor belt was completely stopped prior to an employee reaching in and attempting to remove material from the roller. • WAC 296-806 cited - Make sure power-driven machinery is completely stopped before making adjustments or removing materials OSHA Office of Training and Education

25. DOSH Investigations • Drivers stood on the travel step while the tail gate hatch was opened to dump yard waste. This caused a driver to fall backward into a disposal container. • WAC 296-800-140 cited - Develop, supervise, implement, and enforce safety and health training programs that are effective in practice. OSHA Office of Training and Education

26. Questions John Furman PhD, MSN Dept. Labor & Industries DOSH Services 360-902-5666 furk235@lni.wa.gov