Safety leaders and officers of the Washington, D.C.-based Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries, Inc. (ISRI) are calling for member facilities to observe “Safety Stand-Down Day,” on Oct. 15, 2014, in the wake of a series of fatalities and serious injuries across the recycling industry in recent weeks.
The leaders have released a signed letter, alert and declaration asking that all member facilities spend at least one hour during each shift on Oct. 15 focused on safety education. Though the recycling industry is becoming safer, the letter states, at least 11 fatalities and multiple critical injuries have occurred since early August at facilities owned by or associated with ISRI members and at some non-ISRI-owned facilities.
"This is a disturbing trend that must be stopped," the letter continues. "Each of these terrible tragedies happened at companies that are owned and managed by good people who run fine companies. If tragedy can strike there, it can strike anywhere."
The association has declared Oct. 15, 2014, to be Safety Stand-Down Day, "in an effort to reaffirm safety as our number one core value and focus our members' attention on the safety of their workplaces and their employees.”
ISRI is urging member companies to shut down operations for at least one hour on every shift that day to engage in safety awareness training. The training can take any form, the organization says, from employee training to a management walk-around, or any other effective safety training method.
The association also is directing members to information provided by the ISRI Safety Team that member facilities can use as part of their training, including: inspection checklists, training outlines, and safety videos. As part of its member benefits program, ISRI offers the following safety services free of charge: 1-day Safety Management Blueprint; ISRI Safety 10-hour Course; Transportation Assessments; Roadside Inspection Courses; 2-Day Material Handler Train-the-Trainer Course; and other specialized assistance.
The alert concludes, “These tragedies at our member facilities have not only changed the affected families, friends and coworkers forever, but also the company's owners lives and their families as well. It is sad and this trend must stop. Please take this opportunity to observe Safety Stand-down Day to seek out and eliminate hazards within your operations. Demonstrate to your workforce that safety is your number one core value and that you consider them to be the most important asset of your operation. Remember, Safely or Not at All.”
The letter has been signed by Doug Kramer, chair, ISRI Board; Robin Wiener, president, ISRI; Michael Krentzman, chair, ISRI Safety and Operations Committee; Scott Miller, chair, ISRI Safety Working Group; Paul Brenner, chair, ISRI Safety and Environment Council; Joel Denbo, chair, ISRI Resources; and Rike Sandlin, chair, ISRI Services Board (RIOSTM)
For more safety resources and information visit www.ISRISafety.org.