March 25TH Collection Safety

Keeping your workers safe and preventing accidents is a constant challenge in the waste and recycling collection industry. Smaller haulers and local government’s have a disproportionate percentage of fatalities and other incidents on the route. Join us to learn how others have overcome safety challenges and get insights into proven solutions that will improve your safety record.

Topics
• Review of Recently Issued Federal Safety Data for Solid 91²Ö¿â Collection David Biderman, President, Biderman Consulting
• The Awareness Gap: Why Collection Fleets Still Struggle with What Drivers Can’t See Davis McDougal, Director of Product Management Digital, Terex
• Ensuring Safe and Compliant Handling, Transportation, or Storage of Hazardous Materials Brandon Black, Editor – Environmental Health & Safety, J. J. Keller
• Rear Load Safety and Best Practices John Andel, Corp Health & Safety Compliance Director, Leck 91²Ö¿â Services.
• Enhancing Solid 91²Ö¿â Safety with Thermal Imaging Technology Adam Kurtz, Solid 91²Ö¿â Superintendent, Public Works, City of Goodyear, AZ 

 

 

Meet the Speakers:

John Andel is the Corporate Director of Health, Safety and Compliance at Leck 91²Ö¿â Services, a family-owned waste management company based in Pennsylvania. In this role, he leads the company’s efforts to ensure workplace safety, reduce risk, and promote a culture of health and compliance across all operations. With more than 35 years of experience in the waste and transportation industry, he has worked in a variety of roles including: driver, operations supervisor, and operations manager. These diverse roles gave him deep insight into both field operations and organizational leadership — insights that inform his approach to safety and workforce development. Under his leadership, Leck 91²Ö¿â Services has developed robust safety training programs and proactive compliance strategies. In addition to his corporate role, John serves on SWANA’s Safety Committee as Co-Chairman and serves on the NWRA Safety Committee contributing to broader industry efforts to improve safety standards and reduce workplace hazards in the solid waste sector.

 

David Biderman is President of Biderman Consulting and has been a leader in the waste industry for more than 25 years. He currently helps companies and local governments address safety and sustainability issues, supports their advocacy objectives, and assists technology solutions providers grow their market share within the industry. During his tenure with SWANA as its Executive Director and CEO, he helped it significantly grow its membership, visibility and leadership position concerning solid waste and recycling issues in the U.S., Canada and overseas. He served on the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Environmental Technologies Trade Advisory Committee (ETTAC) and multiple solid waste task forces in New York City. David joined SWANA in April 2015 after 18 years with the National 91²Ö¿â & Recycling Association, where he was General Counsel, Vice President for Government Affairs, and Safety Director. He has testified before numerous federal, state, and local agencies and councils, and has spoken about waste and recycling issues, policies, and trends at numerous international environmental conferences, including events in Asia, Latin America, Africa, and Europe.

 

Brandon Black became a member of the EHS Editorial team at J. J. Keller & Associates, Inc. in 2025. His commitment to safety and compliance make him an asset for customers and clients. Before joining the team as an Editor, Brandon spent over 10 years in EHS roles in the manufacturing, warehousing, and consulting. His interests include hazardous waste, fall protection, and hazard communication. Brandon currently holds a B.S. in Biology with a minor in Industrial Hygiene & Safety from Georgia Southern University. His professional certifications include Occupational Hygiene and Safety Technician (OHST), Environmental Specialist (ENS), Hazwoper 40, PIV Train-the-Trainer, First-aid/CPR, and OSHA 511 General Industry.

 

 

Adam Kurtz has more than 20 years of experience in the solid waste industry and currently serves as Solid 91²Ö¿â Superintendent for the City of Goodyear, Arizona. He is a member of the National SWANA Safety Committee and an active member of the AZ SWANA Chapter, with a strong focus on collection safety and operational risk reduction. Adam helped lead the development and implementation of thermal imaging systems in collection trucks to detect battery-related fires before they endanger drivers or equipment, and he has served on multiple safety committees while contributing to the City of Goodyear achieving VPP (Voluntary Protection Program) certification -OSHA’s highest recognition for workplace safety excellence.

 

 

Davis McDougal is a Director of Product Management for the Digital Segment of ESG/Terex, where he leads customer‑focused product strategy and development across key equipment lines. A University of Alabama graduate, he is known for driving clarity, collaboration, and strong Voice of the Customer practices that translate real‑world needs into meaningful product outcomes. Based in Chattanooga, Davis brings a strategic, solutions‑oriented approach to guiding teams and shaping the future of Terex products.

 

 

 

Meet the Sponsors:

3rd Eye seamlessly integrates industry-leading hardware, technology, and live monitoring to deliver powerful solutions that enhance safety, productivity, and profitability, connecting fleets directly to their customers. 3rd Eye provides real-time vehicle function and route performance analytics, utilizing advanced camera systems to capture and document in-cab and external events to improve fleet operations. For more information, visit .
Seek Thermal is a leader in thermal imaging technology, trusted by fire services worldwide for its reliable, high-performance solutions. Building on decades of experience developing tools for firefighters, Seek Thermal brings advanced thermal sensing to the waste industry to enable early fire detection in refuse trucks and waste handling operations. By identifying heat buildup before ignition occurs, Seek helps fleets reduce fire risk, protect equipment, and improve operational safety. For more information, visit www.seekthermal.com.
RouteSmart delivers intelligent route planning solutions that help waste and recycling organizations operate more safely, efficiently, and sustainably. By optimizing daily collection routes, reducing miles driven, and minimizing risky maneuvers, RouteSmart lowers costs, improves service reliability, and supports data-driven decision-making for fleets of all sizes. To learn more visit or email Jessica Cearfoss at [email protected].

The Solid 91²Ö¿â Association of North America (SWANA) is a member-based association of professionals from across the waste and resource management industry. SWANA serves industry professionals through technical education, publications and research, and a large offering of technical training courses and credentialing to create a highly skilled workforce. For more information, e-mail [email protected].

 

 91²Ö¿â & Recycling Workers Week is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization dedicated to lifting up and celebrating the men and women of the waste and recycling industry. Our Mission: To recognize and celebrate the men and women in the waste and recycling industry as front line responders. Our Vision: A world where every man and woman in the waste industry is respected and celebrated for the important work they do in service to our communities. For more information, visit .