
March 16, 2017, Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin signed new legislation into law that will protect workers in the waste and recycling industry. HB144, Kentucky’s version of the Slow Down to Get Around law, requires motorists to slow down or move out of the way of waste and recycling vehicles. The bill was cosponsored by Reps. Sal Santoro and David Hale.
Kentucky is now the 13th state to enact this vital legislation, which is designed to protect waste and recycling workers. The Kentucky State Chapter of the National Waste and Recycling Association (NWRA) took the critical steps to develop this legislation and achieve its support in the Kentucky legislature, the NWRA says. The bill can be found at www.lrc.ky.gov/record/17RS/HB144.htm.
Slow Down to Get Around is a nationwide campaign by NWRA and its state chapters. The effort in Kentucky involved a broad coalition of private waste and recycling companies, labor groups and municipal leaders in getting this important worker safety measure enacted into law.
“This law is about the safety of waste and recycling collectors who serve our communities statewide,” says Robert Lee, CEO EcoTech Waste Logistics in Louisville, Kentucky, and Kentucky Chapter Chair of NWRA. “All motorists are to exercise caution and must slow down to get around waste and recycling vehicles, which will save lives and prevent unnecessary accidents and injuries. Our focus now turns to raising awareness of the new law and educating residents of the dangers that collection workers face daily on our roadways.”
The most recent data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that the waste and recycling collection occupation ranks fifth in the nation for injuries, accidents and fatalities, and more recent data show that many accidents involving waste and collection workers are caused by inattentive motorists and distracted driving. Kentucky now joins 12 other states that have enacted Slow Down to Get Around, including Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Virginia, Wisconsin and West Virginia.
Kentucky is now the 13th state to enact this vital legislation, which is designed to protect waste and recycling workers. The Kentucky State Chapter of the National Waste and Recycling Association (NWRA) took the critical steps to develop this legislation and achieve its support in the Kentucky legislature, the NWRA says. The bill can be found at www.lrc.ky.gov/record/17RS/HB144.htm.
Slow Down to Get Around is a nationwide campaign by NWRA and its state chapters. The effort in Kentucky involved a broad coalition of private waste and recycling companies, labor groups and municipal leaders in getting this important worker safety measure enacted into law.
“This law is about the safety of waste and recycling collectors who serve our communities statewide,” says Robert Lee, CEO EcoTech Waste Logistics in Louisville, Kentucky, and Kentucky Chapter Chair of NWRA. “All motorists are to exercise caution and must slow down to get around waste and recycling vehicles, which will save lives and prevent unnecessary accidents and injuries. Our focus now turns to raising awareness of the new law and educating residents of the dangers that collection workers face daily on our roadways.”
The most recent data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that the waste and recycling collection occupation ranks fifth in the nation for injuries, accidents and fatalities, and more recent data show that many accidents involving waste and collection workers are caused by inattentive motorists and distracted driving. Kentucky now joins 12 other states that have enacted Slow Down to Get Around, including Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Virginia, Wisconsin and West Virginia.
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