The Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI) is urging its members to take a time-out for safety today, following at least 11 workplace deaths and multiple critical injuries since early August.
ISRI has declared Oct. 15 to be Safety Stand-Down Day, encouraging members to stop operating for at least one hour on every shift to engage in safety awareness training. Members can find safety tips, training outlines, inspection checklists, videos and other resources at the ISRI Safety website.
In an Oct. 8 letter to members announcing the safety day, ISRI leaders wrote:
“These tragedies at our member facilities have not only changed the affected families, friends and coworkers forever, but also the company’s owners’ lives and their families’ as well. It is sad and this trend must stop. Please take this opportunity to observe Safety Stand-down Day to seek out and eliminate hazards within your operations. Demonstrate to your workforce that safety is your number one core value and that you consider them to be the most important asset of your operation. Remember, Safely or Not at All.”
ISRI’s Safety Outreach Services provides hands-on assistance free of charge to members as well. Members and non-members can also subscribe to ISRI’s Safety Update newsletter.
Click here to tell us how you emphasize safety at your recycling center, and we will share your story with our readers.