---

On Wednesday, June 14, 2023, the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI) will host the annual Safety Stand-Down Day.

This day serves as a reminder for everyone involved in the recyclable materials industry to dedicate at least one hour of their workday to engaging in safety conversations and activities. ISRI has been organizing this event for eight years, encouraging its members to prioritize health and safety. Health and safety programs play an important role in protecting workers and businesses. By implementing these programs, companies achieve various benefits, including preventing injuries and illnesses, improving compliance with regulations, reducing costs, engaging workers, embracing social responsibility, and increasing productivity.

The OSHA Safe + Sound campaign emphasizes three pillars that contribute to a robust health and safety program: management leadership, worker participation, and finding and fixing hazards:

1. Management Leadership: Top management’s commitment to safety is crucial for success. When management demonstrates a genuine concern for safety and health, workers recognize its importance to the overall success of the business. Ways in which management can display commitment include developing and communicating safety policies, allocating resources, integrating safety into operational decisions, recognizing safety achievements, and leading by example.
2. Worker Participation: Involving workers in the safety program is vital. Workers possess valuable knowledge and experience related to their jobs, making them essential in identifying and solving safety challenges. For worker participation to be effective, employees must feel comfortable reporting incidents, suggesting improvements, and speaking up without fear of retaliation or discrimination.
3. Find and Fix Hazards: Proactively identifying and controlling workplace hazards is key to preventing injuries and illnesses. Traditional approaches to hazard management are often reactive, waiting until an incident occurs or external inspections uncover problems. A systematic approach is more effective, involving workers in hazard identification, conducting inspections, investigating incidents, evaluating controls, and continuously monitoring and improving safety measures.

The annual Safety Stand-Down Day provides an opportunity for the recyclable materials industry to focus on safety and health. By dedicating time to safety conversations and activities, companies can demonstrate their commitment to the well-being of their employees and overall business success. Through initiatives like the OSHA Safe + Sound campaign, businesses can create a culture of safety by emphasizing management leadership, worker participation, and a proactive approach to identifying and addressing hazards. By prioritizing health and safety, the industry can continue to reduce injuries, protect workers, and enhance productivity, ultimately contributing to a safer and more efficient workplace.

Learn more here on the ISRI Website.

---