creating a safety culture; a case study south central

Creating a Safety Culture; A Case Study

South Central Solid Waste Authority

SWANAPatrick Peck, Director

Steve Mauer, Regulatory Compliance and Safety OfficerAugust 25, 2016

Who We Are

• SCSWA is a regional solid waste operation located in southern New Mexico in Las Cruces• We Operate

• Landfill• Transfer Stations• Curbside Collection • Roll Off

• Manage the waste of approximately 225,000 people. 10% of the state

Our History

• From 2004 to 2016 there have been only three deaths in the solid waste industry in New Mexico• Two occurred at the SCSWA

Amador Avenue Transfer Station• 2007 a temporary employee of the

City of Las Cruces was killed in a baler accident

• 2010 a prisoner on a work detail died when he fell off a top load platform

• Neither of the deceased actually worked for SCSWA, but I still see their faces

• Facility had four OSHA inspections in eight months

• Our Workers Comp multiplier reached a high of 1.74 , today it is .94

Turning It Around

• Managements Dedication• Vowed not to be passive

• Anyone coming on site would be subject to our program

• Hired our first full time safety manager in 2008

• Decided to go above and beyond the “norm”, needed to get 100% buy in by our employees

• Had two safety officers prior to Mr. Mauer• During his interview we

discussed the SHARPs program and his desire to get it established at SCSWA

Steps to Safety Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP)

• Policy review and update

• Facility inspection and fix issues

• Contact OSHA Consultation

• OSHA inspection and correct issues

• Continue with self inspections, employee training, Safety Committee input, continue policy updates and review

• Fill out questionnaire

• Another Inspection by NMED OSHA Deputy Director

• Reviewed by New Mexico OSHA Director

• This process took just under two years to complete and work with employees to change the safety culture and safety buy in

Steps to Safety Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP)

• Only municipality in New Mexico to achieve SHARP

• Las Cruces is the 2nd largest city in New Mexico

• SHARP’s has been recognized by: • Las Cruces Sun-News

• Las Cruces Bulletin

• My Las Cruces

Company & Employees’ Benefits

Company

• Two years of NO OSHA surprise inspections

• Modifier rate lowered and Workers Comp injuries• 1.74 -.94

Employees

• Engaged in Safety Culture

• Understand the importance of Safety

• New company logo

How Do We Judge SHARP’S Is Working

• Employees filled out job position questionnaire with 95% stating safety in the 1st or 2nd sentence

• Use of PPE by customers, 1st in NM to be required

• Employees strive for 0 accidents.

• SCSWA has seen a drop in both Workers Comp and accidents or incidents

Contact Information

Patrick PeckDirector575-528-3800

Steve MauerRegulatory Compliance Specialist575-528-3587