AUDIT COMMITTEE SUMMARY
June 18, 2019
Solid Waste Management Department Employee Training and Safety Programs
Report Issued June 10, 2019
Audit Objective
Determine if training and safety programs for Solid Waste Management Department (SWMD) staff are comprehensive and in compliance with recommended standards and/or best practices.
Background
SWMD is responsible for the collection of municipal solid waste generated by approximately 355,000 single-family San Antonio households. Primary collection services include: weekly curbside collection of residential garbage, recyclables, and organics; semi-annual residential collection of brush and bulky items, non-residential garbage collection overnight in the downtown area, and, by request, dead animal disposal.
SWMD is comprised of 686 employees with various positions ranging from administration to equipment operators, solid waste collection workers and drivers, heavy equipment operators and mechanics.
From a safety standpoint, the use of automated side-loader trucks has decreased the exposure of employees to lifting hazards, coming in contact with the waste, and coming in contact with vehicles in the roadway. However, the use of large industrial trucks still exposes workers to driving accidents and property damage.
Scope & Methodology
Our audit scope was October 2016 through September 2018 and included training requirements and documentation, employee's usage of personal protective equipment, disciplinary policy, safety meeting attendance, Professional Truck Driver course, post-accident refresher course, and Safety Incentive Plan (SIP) payments.
Conclusions
The employee training and safety programs are comprehensive and in compliance with best practices. We determined that SWMD has established comprehensive policies and procedures related to training for equipment operations and safety standards. Additionally, we determined that SWMD has clear expectations of safety practices and the disciplinary procedures ...
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