Date: June 14, 2007
Source: Occupational Safety and Health Administration
The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Integrated Waste Services Association (IWSA) have joined together to support National Hauler Safety Month in June.
"Hauling waste can be a dangerous business," said Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA Edwin G. Foulke, Jr. "Hauler Safety Month is focused on addressing hazards by educating waste haulers, owners, operators, and employees with best practices for safety and health. I am very proud of what OSHA and IWSA are accomplishing."
"We want to thank the men and women who haul municipal solid waste," said President and Chief Executive Officer of Covanta Holding Corporation Anthony Orlando. "Hauler Safety Month is about keeping them safe by promoting awareness of the rules of safety -- not only for themselves, but also for their family, friends and loved ones. Covanta is a leader in the Energy-from- Waste field, and by embracing this safety campaign, we are assisting in leading the industry to an even healthier and safer workplace."
This program was conducted as part of the alliance between the IWSA and OSHA. In addition to today's event, most of the IWSA member facilities will host a "Hauler Safety Day" at their sites throughout the month to help reinforce the message to haulers to make safety an integral part of their work. A number of OSHA area offices will also participate in these activities.
Energy-from-Waste facilities generate electricity and power from household trash. Eighty-eight power plants in more than 20 states generate nearly 2700 megawatts of electricity from nearly 29 million tons of waste each year. For more information about this industry, visit www.wte.org.
Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing a safe and healthful workplace for their employees. OSHA's role is to assure the safety and health of America's working men and women by setting and enforcing standards; providing training, outreach, and education; establishing partnerships; and encouraging continual process improvement in workplace safety and health. For more information, visit www.osha.gov.
U.S. Labor Department releases are accessible on the Internet at www.dol.gov. The information in this news release will be made available in alternate format upon request (large print, Braille, audiotape or disc) from the COAST office. Please specify which news release when placing your request at (202) 693-7828 or TTY (202) 693-7755. The U.S. Department of Labor is committed to providing America's employers and employees with easy access to understandable information on how to comply with its laws and regulations.
For more information, please visit www.dol.gov/compliance.
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