Quincy Recycle’s Alsip, Illinois, plant marks two accident-free years
Quincy Recycle’s Alsip, Illinois, plant marks two accident-free years
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The waste and recycling industry is the fifth most dangerous in America, according to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics. There are potential hazards everywhere—tractor-trailers coming and going, forklifts darting about with containers and baled materials, stacked bales, compactors, guillotine roll cutters and other dangers.
For these reasons, Quincy Recycle’s Alsip, Illinois, plant’s announcement that in late March its Alsip facility reached two years without an Occupational Safety and Health Administration- (OSHA-) reportable injury is a considerable achievement.
“As a manager, working in this industry, it’s the fear you have every day—that one of your employees will be injured or worse,” says John Danker, general manager of the Alsip plant, “especially when we’re running 24 hours a day.”
Danker explains how the company realized this achievement. “It’s all about keeping your plant organized and clean and having a culture of safety,” he says. “If your plant is a disaster, it’s not safe. You could put anyone out there, and they’d have an accident sooner or later.”
Danker also credits the company’s seasoned personnel. “They’ve been in this industry for a while, they know their surroundings, they know the job and they know what it takes to avoid injuries,” he says.
“That and a culture of safety at every level—it doesn’t take a manager walking the floor. Everyone watches out for safety—their own and others,” Danker adds.
Among the keys to creating a safe recycling facility, according to Quincy Recycle, are:
- safety checklists;
- paying attention to your surroundings;
- worker’s suggestions on safe operations;
- a dedicated safety manager; and
- lockout/tagout and other safety procedures.
“Quincy Recycle is different than others in the industry,” Danker says. “There are multiple people watching that you’re wearing glasses and vests, that trailers are locked out—it’s not just when someone from corporate is in town. This is something every one of us takes seriously. We all want to go home safe.”
Danker says the company’s focus on safety can benefit its customers as well. “Suppliers and buyers trust us with their materials when they know we’re running a safe operation,” he says. “It comes down to efficiencies and competence. A safe plant is one they want to work with.”
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Source: Recycling Today
Quincy Recycle’s Alsip, Illinois, plant marks two accident-free years
<![CDATA[The waste and recycling industry is the fifth most dangerous in America, according to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics. There are potential hazards everywhere—tractor-trailers coming and going, forklifts darting about with containers and baled materials, stacked bales, compactors, guillotine roll cutters and other dangers. For these reasons, Quincy Recycle’s Alsip, Illinois, plant’s announcement that in late March its Alsip facility reached two years without an Occupational Safety and Health Administration- (OSHA-) reportable injury is a considerable achievement. “As a manager, working in this industry, it’s the fear you have every day—that one of your employees will be injured or worse,” says John Danker, general manager of the Alsip plant, “especially when we’re running 24 hours a day.” Danker explains how the company realized this achievement. “It’s all about keeping your plant organized and clean and having a culture of safety,” he says. “If your plant is a disaster, it’s not safe. You could put anyone out there, and they’d have an accident sooner or later.” Danker also credits the company’s seasoned personnel. “They’ve been in this industry for a while, they know their surroundings, they know the job and they know what it takes to avoid injuries,” he…