MPRI Launches Its Expansion Into Waste Management Market With National Simulator-Based Training Campaign

Alexandria, VA and Washington, DC - MPRI, a global leader in vehicle and maritime simulator products, services and turnkey training facilities, recently announced it has launched its expansion into the waste management market with a national training campaign for refuse truck drivers. The National Solid Wastes Management Association (NSWMA) selected MPRI to deliver state-of-the-art training to drivers in 12 cities across the country. NSWMA is a trade association representing for-profit companies that provide waste collection, recycling and disposal services, as well as companies that provide professional and consulting services to the waste services industry.

The campaign marks the first time that refuse truck driver training has been provided on a national scale through state-of-the-art, simulator-based technology. Simulators are a valuable training tool, providing drivers the opportunity to practice complex driving scenarios in a risk-free environment. Safety is a top concern in the $50 billion waste management industry with waste collection frequently identified as a high hazard occupation.

NSWMA is providing training free of charge under a grant provided by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). A total of 384 drivers will be trained on MPRI's TranSim VS IV driver simulator with software tailored specifically for the waste management industry. The campaign kicks off in Louisville, Ky., on March 3, and will continue throughout the month in Chicago, St. Louis, Dallas, Atlanta, Philadelphia, New York and Boston, as well as Memphis, Tenn.; Raleigh, N.C.; Tulsa, Okla.; and Washington, D.C.

"NSWMA is breaking new ground in its commitment to industry safety through this initiative, and we are pleased that they selected us to provide this important training," said Terry Tucker, senior vice president of MPRI. "Waste collection is a hazardous job and we are proud to play a key role in improving workplace conditions — and even saving lives — by teaching drivers techniques for operating equipment in the safest manner possible."

"Safety should be a top priority for every member of the NSWMA, and that is why we're excited to offer the largest, most accessible driver training program to date," said David Biderman, safety director, NSWMA. "We are confident that MPRI's innovative program will support our goal to reduce accidents and injuries involving solid waste collection vehicles and employees."

Each two-hour training session will feature standard classroom and computer-based training as well as hands-on driving time on MPRI's TranSim VS IV simulator. Because there are different types of waste collection vehicles, MPRI designed the simulator's software to support a variety of equipment including residential and automatic tippers and commercial collection haulers. Since the events will take place in metropolitan settings where drivers must often operate in tight spaces such as alleys, training will focus heavily on space management and backing up.

NSWMA also recently launched a national safety awareness campaign called "Slow Down To Get Around" to generate public awareness of the need to slow down and give waste collection workers the space they need to do their jobs safely. Together, the training and public awareness campaigns are expected to contribute to the steady downward trend in workplace injuries for solid waste workers.

SOURCE: MPRI