Safety

ISRI offers free safety training as part of federal grant program

The Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI), Washington, has announced the formation of a “Hazard Recognition in Recycling” safety training program, a series of free classes across the country. The program is the result of $140,000 in funding ISRI received as part of the Susan Harwood Training Grant Program administered by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

“The offering of a free Hazard Recognition in Recycling training program further emphasizes that safety is a core value for ISRI,” says Terry Cirone, vice president of safety for ISRI. “This program is unique in that it is designed specifically for the recycling industry. Every company in the industry, including those who are not ISRI members, should take advantage of this training. We are extremely grateful to OSHA for distinguishing ISRI’s qualifications to deliver high-quality safety training and the importance of hazard recognition in recycling.”

The course is designed for recycling companies that want employees to learn more about hazard recognition and mitigation in operations. This includes:

• how to do a PPE hazard assessment;
• how to recognize the hazards of and safely work around mobile equipment;
• the importance of proper PPE;
• an understanding of the importance of the control of hazardous energy;
• good housekeeping practices;
• how to recognize fire hazards; and
• hazard communication.

Each free class is approximately 7.5 hours in duration and is open to ISRI members as well as to nonmembers.

In addition to the class, the funding includes development of safety training materials in English and Spanish.

OSHA’s Harwood Grant Program awards grants annually to nonprofit organizations on a competitive basis.

For additional information, including how to host a class at a recycling facility, contact ISRI Safety via email at ISRIsafety@isri.org.

Call2Recycle campaign spotlights battery recycling safety

Call2Recycle Inc., a nonprofit organization headquartered in Atlanta, has launched the Charge Up Safety campaign to spotlight battery recycling safety.

The objective is to raise awareness of safe collection and shipping practices among those involved in these processes, including consumers, municipalities, retailers, sorters, processors and Call2Recycle employees, the organization says.

Call2Recycle says it collects and recycles single-use and rechargeable batteries weighing less than 11 pounds and has diverted approximately 130 million pounds from landfills during the past 21 years. The organization says safety-related and fire incidents involving hoverboards, cellphones, headphones and laptops have been “making the headlines,” with many of these incidents “being traced to batteries, further intensifying safety concerns.”

“Our No. 1 objective ... is the safe collection and recycling of batteries,” says Carl Smith, CEO and president, Call2Recycle. “We are launching Charge Up Safety to ensure that the importance of safety isn’t forgotten in our commitment to sustain the environment.”

Call2Recycle has launched a new portal with information on how to safely recycle and ship batteries. Collection site employees and consumers can take an online training module on battery handling knowledge. Instructions for handling damaged, defective and recalled batteries also are featured. Additional safety policies for collection sites, sorters and processors are being implemented, the group says. Organizations that do not follow the policies may be suspended or terminated from the program.

“Charge Up Safety is about continually assessing and enhancing our safety and compliance practices to ensure new safety policies are being embraced across our collection and recycling network,” Smith says.