Date: October 4, 2007
Source: National Solid Wastes Management Association
NSWMA to Administer OSHA Grant for New Driver Safety Program
The National Solid Wastes Management Association (NSWMA), Washington, D.C., is pleased to announce that its grant request to perform driver safety training through the Environmental Research and Education Foundation (EREF), Alexandria, Va., has been approved by the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). NSWMA will implement the program through an arrangement with EREF.
According to NSWMA's General Counsel David Biderman, "The program will focus on driver safety and the prevention of work-related motor vehicle accidents and fatalities, through space management training of up to 384 refuse industry drivers in 12 separate locations over a four week period." He added, "The training will be provided in March 2008 by experienced refuse driver trainers using a combination of classroom and simulator components." The precise locations and dates of the training session will be announced by January 2008.
Each trainee will receive two hours of training that includes: (1) calculating a safe following distance under a variety of circumstances; (2) identifying appropriate space management techniques to manage the space around a vehicle when encountering a variety of hazards; and (3) demonstrating the ability to manage a space cushion around a refuse collection vehicle when encountering typical driver hazards in the simulator. The training sessions, which will be provided free of charge, will be in classes of two trainees to maximize the effectiveness of the training.
Following the space management training, each trainee will receive written materials on how to prevent backing fatalities and injuries involving other collection crew members (helpers). These written materials will emphasize the Waste Equipment Technology Association's (Washington, D.C.) ANSI Z245.1 standards, which prohibit a helper from being on the riding step on a refuse collection vehicle when the vehicle is backing, and proper communication between the driver and helper.
NSWMA has previously provided safety training tools under OSHA's grant program through its Be Safe, Be Proud video series.
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NSWMA is a trade association that represents the private sector solid waste industry. Members conduct business in all fifty states.
For more information, contact:
David Biderman
NSWMA General Counsel
202-364-3743
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