SWANA announces 2022 safety award winners

The Biggest Safety Improvement award goes to NTMWD Solid Waste Department. Through improved training and other efforts, including an interactive dashboard, NTMWD addressed leading and lagging indicators. SWANA says 89 percent of identified hazards were abated, and the total recordable injury rate and days away, restricted or transfer rate was cut in half.  

“At the North Texas Municipal Water District safety is a core value,” says Mike Friesen, NTMWD assistant deputy for solid waste. “NTMWD works daily to deliver essential services while mitigating risks to minimize accidents, injuries and damage to protect our workers and the public. We are proud of the progress made by our solid waste division. This progress would not have been possible without our staff taking ownership of safety. We applaud our staff for their success in living out our safety values.”  

Best Safety Innovation  

Rumpke Waste & Recycling's Cincinnati recycling facility has been recognized with SWANA's Biggest Safety Innovation. The facility installed two FLIR thermal camera systems to detect lithium battery fires and automatically shut down the conveyor. The data collected can replicate and improve similar systems across the recycling industry. It also provides facility-specific info about battery-related incidents to understand the extent of the problem.  

“Our team has done a really good job of mitigating a very significant risk to our operations,” says Jeff Rumpke, west area president for Rumpke Waste & Recycling. “As batteries continue to plague our recycling stream, these types of investments in equipment, training and education will aid in our efforts to protect our assets.” 

COVID-19 Resiliency  

The Delaware Solid Waste Authority, Henrico County Solid Waste Division and Wasatch Integrated Waste Management District have been given SWANA's COVID-19 Resiliency award. SWANA says all three implemented the Occupational Safety & Health Administration’s (OSHA) hierarchy of controls to respond to and control the spread of COVID-19 in their operations.  

The association says the Delaware Solid Waste Authority (DSWA) stood out for its focus on testing and vaccination. They held numerous vaccination clinics for employees and contractors and implemented a vaccination/testing policy to reduce the spread and severity of the disease. Clinics also offered additional vaccinations such as tetanus, pneumonia, flu, hepatitis and shingles.  

Henrico County Solid Waste Division demonstrated resiliency in the development of its COVID-19 Continuity of Operations Plan, which identified potential scenarios involving worker shortage and provided detailed solutions to maintain essential functions. As service levels fluctuated, they kept the public informed through numerous communication channels.  

“The ability of our entire Solid Waste Division to fully embrace safety and wellness throughout the pandemic was pivotal for the continuation of essential services in our community,” says Josh Byerly, Henrico County Solid Waste Division assistant director. “This SWANA award accentuates Henrico’s approach to safety, and specifically, the mentality our great team exemplifies through the daily commitment to safety and service to Henrico County citizens.”  

Wasatch Integrated Waste Management District developed a six-phase, graduated plan for infectious disease outbreaks. The plan reduces the transmission of disease among staff and members of the public, maintains a healthy working environment, and minimizes adverse health effects on customers, area waste haulers and businesses. It also provides continued essential services to the community.  

“We appreciate SWANA’s recognition of the professional and dedicated work of our team here at Wasatch Integrated Waste Management District,” says Nathan Rich Wasatch, Integrated Waste Management District executive director. “The team worked through tough issues to keep our employees safe while providing the high level of service our customers expect.”  

The 2022 award winners will be honored at Wastecon in San Diego Dec. 6. Winners also will be featured during the Safety Summit Dec. 6 and 7.