2019-069 2018 Jimmy Huff Safety AwardDate: April 12, 2019 Report No. 2019-069
INFORMAL STAFF REPORT
TO MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
SUBJECT:
The City of Denton Solid Waste department wins the 2018 Jimmy Huff Safety Award for most
improved workplace safety among Texas solid waste operations.
BACKGROUND & DISCUSSION:
According to the Bureau of Labor Standards, refuse and recyclable material collection remains the
fifth deadliest job in the United States, a position the Solid Waste industry has held since 2013. In
June 2018, the Denton City Council received an evaluation of Solid Waste operations and
programs from consulting firm Blue Ridge Services, Inc. According to the firm, the department’s
accident and injury rate was largely influenced by the lack of a safety culture within the
department’s operations.
In recent months, Solid Waste has made dramatic changes to organizational structure, and a key
focus of these improvements was to make safety a top priority. To address safety and training
deficiencies, Solid Waste hired personnel skilled in implementing safety and training programs,
increased the mandatory use of safety and personal protective equipment, improved the
department’s accident review process, and implemented structured curriculum for monthly
training.
At its 2019 annual conference, the Lone Star Chapter of the Solid Waste Association of North
America (TxSWANA) recognized the City of Denton Solid Waste Department with the 2018
Jimmy Huff Safety Award, which recognizes the organization that has achieved the most
significant year over year improvement in workplace safety.
STAFF CONTACT(S):
Ethan Cox
Director of Solid Waste
(940) 349-7421
Ethan.Cox@cityofdenton.com