Sanitation Division Uses Safety to Survive
In recent years past, the Cincinnati Department of Public Works Sanitation Division faced unacceptable—especially major—injury rates.
Maintaining a safe work environment was not always the imperative at the Cincinnati Department of Public Works Sanitation Division that it is today.
The division now recognizes that when employees are safe and healthy, productivity is high, customer service is high, and citizen satisfaction is high. For these reasons, the division decided to take action. In 1997, therefore, the Sanitation Division embarked on an aggressive campaign to reduce injuries.
Perhaps of greater incentive, however, was the division's need to improve its local-market competitive edge to divert increasing political pressure to privatize solid-waste collection in Cincinnati.
Maintaining a safe work environment now is the backbone of efficient service delivery at the Cincinnati Department of Public Works Sanitation Division.
Maintaining a safe work environment is a dynamic, ever-changing process. The division maintains a full-time safety specialist to keep current on solid-waste-collection safety issues and conduct safety training and field audits regularly.
Safety Challenge
The challenge to reduce injuries at the Sanitation Division in 1997 was met by a comprehensive safety plan that was integrated into the standard operating procedures at the Sanitation Division. Changes were made to instill individuals with responsibility for keeping injury free. These changes included a strong emphasis on keeping employees fit for work.
The following strategies are part of the safety plan:
- Agility testing—Candidates for employment are required to pass an agility test. Minimum standards for reflexes and strength have been established and proper procedures for lifting are emphasized.
- Morning warm-up exercises—All field employees participate in daily warm-up stretch exercises before work begins. For added emphasis, management supervisors also participate and regularly lead the exercises.
- New employee orientation—Safety issues and the importance of remaining injury-free are stressed at all orientation sessions.
- Safety Awareness Day—All employees attend Safety Awareness Day where they learn anatomy and proper lifting and carrying practices.
- Campaign to increase safety awareness—Employees are reminded at monthly meetings about the high cost of injuries and the importance of remaining injury free. By communicating regularly with employees about safety concerns, employees feel more responsible for undergoing therapy, minimizing injuries' lasting effects and speeding recovery.
- Alternative work—To minimize the number of lost workdays, where possible, employees are placed in alternative work assignments (for example, clerical) while on the injured list—thus allowing them to be productive while convalescing.
- Personal protective equipment (PPE)—Special emphasis by the safety specialist ensures that that every solid-waste-collection crew person is in proper uniform each day. Proper uniform includes steel-toe shoes, gloves, boots, safety glasses, and vests.
- First aid kits—Each solid-waste-collection employee receives a personal kit. (Before 1997, kits were assigned to trucks instead of individuals.)
Safety-plan Results
Because of its safety initiatives, the Sanitation Division realized a 50% decrease during 1997 in major injuries compared with 1996. In 1996, 42 employees lost 1010 workdays, whereas 10 employees accounted for 248 lost workdays in 1997. This represents a 75% reduction in lost workdays in 1997 compared with 1996. Although the total lost workdays for 1998 increased to 367 days (accountable to 13 employees), the total of major injuries decreased from 56 in 1997 to just 27 in 1998. (See table that follows.)
About the Author: Daryl B. Brock manages the Department of Public Works Sanitation Division, City of Cincinnati, OH.
The previous article was adapted from the paper, "Exceeding to Exist," presented at Wastecon 1999, which was held in Reno, NV, Oct. 18 to 21.