EIA: Spreading the Safety WordEIA: Spreading the Safety Word

By Thomas Metzger

In September the Environmental Industry Associations (EIA) is releasing a long-awaited updated Safety Manual. This safety reference guide, updated by a team of respected industry safety professionals, will help safety practitioners and operations managers deal with the most significant safety challenges facing waste and recycling service companies. The manual is a great training tool for all levels of personnel: managers and supervisors, drivers and crew, equipment operators, process line workers and maintenance personnel.

This is the third edition of the document, updated for the first time since 2001, with the latest information and including a greater emphasis on recycling. The manual will be available as a digital download for your e-book (Kindle, iPad or Nook) or as a printed and bound book.

Members of the National Solid Wastes Management Association (NSMWA) and the Waste Equipment Technology Association (WASTEC) will be offered discounted pricing on both the electronic and printed versions of the manual. For the first time, EIA also plans to offer multi-copy company licenses for the safety manual, making it even more affordable for members to purchase multiple copies for their staff. Learn more about pricing and how you can order or download your copies today at www.environmentalistseveryday.org/safety.

Safety Television and Radio Tour

EIA President and CEO Sharon H. Kneiss and Safety Director Phil Hagan recently completed a tour of television and radio interviews about the importance of driving safely around trash and recycling collection vehicles. They were interviewed on 23 television and radio stations in 22 markets. We already are getting airings reports, and the tour appears to have been a very successful effort.

Upcoming Meetings

Members of NSMWA and WASTEC should take advantage of upcoming meetings and activities, including the annual EIA Executive Roundtable leadership conference being held in Manalapan, Fla., in mid-October. Other not-to-be missed networking opportunities include meetings of most of NSWMA’s state chapters, meetings of the EIA Safety Committee (in Woodlands, Texas, in early November) and the Healthcare Waste Institute (in Denver, in late September), and meetings and tours of the EIA Women’s Council (in New York City, in early November) and the EIA Future Industry Leaders Alliance (in Chattanooga, Tenn., in late September).

Members of NSMWA and WASTEC regularly cite the opportunity to attend association meetings and events as one of the greatest benefits of their membership. These events help waste industry leaders learn more about issues affecting our industry, meet important business contacts, and keep abreast of the latest technological and political trends. Some of the meetings are shorter and focused on specific business. Events often include opportunities for members to meet and interact with public officials and their staff members. Many events include networking opportunities, such as golf or shooting to encourage industry relationships.

All NSWMA and WASTEC meetings are open to current NSWMA and WASTEC members. Companies without an active NSWMA or WASTEC membership should join or renew today to take advantage of this upcoming schedule of activities. Additionally, there are sponsorship and exhibitor opportunities still available for a number of these meetings. To see the latest schedule of NSWMA and WASTEC events, register or sponsor, please visit www.environmentalistseveryday/calendar.

Thomas Metzger is communications director at EIA and can be reached at [email protected].