Sixty Seconds with Certified Safe Driver John Johnson

Tiffany Jones

Meet John Johnson, Area Safety Trainer for Advanced Disposal in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. Johnson has worked in the waste industry for over 25 years and recently earned the Certified Safe Driver (CSD) credential, offered by the National Waste & Recycling Association (NWRA). NWRA developed the CSD credential to address the specialized needs of the industry, and the specific driving hazards its employees face daily. Drivers, training managers and other safety professionals who earn the Certified Safe Driver (CSD) credential know how to:

The exam consists of 75 multiple choice questions. Candidates are given 90 minutes to complete the exam. A passing score of 70 percent is needed to be recognized as a Certified Safe Driver (CSD).

We asked John a few questions regarding his recent accomplishment:

NWRA: Why is driver safety important to you?
John Johnson: Because I know that driving and operating safely, following prescribed laws and regulations, and following industry best practices saves lives and prevents tragic incidents from impacting our families, businesses, the general public and customers in the communities we serve.

NWRA: How does it feel to have the Certified Safe Driver (CSD) credentials after your name?

John Johnson: It gives me credibility. Most of my job duties as a safety trainer for Advanced Disposal involve critical orientation training, observations, coaching and re-training, as well as practical application training and testing of our drivers. Our drivers are receptive to my training because I have the driving experience, industry knowledge and academic credentials that support and drive our continued success in safety.

NWRA: How did you prepare for the certification examination?

John Johnson: I reflected mostly on my years of driving experience, the thousands of customers that I served and the resources Advanced Disposal has provided to me, including Smith System Trainer Certification, Caterpillar Yellow Iron Landfill Application Certification, Conger Lift-Truck Trainer Certification and others.

NWRA: What would you say to your colleagues who may be contemplating taking the Safe Driver certification examination?

John Johnson: To my colleagues, I would say to do the same as listed above. Reflect on driving experience. Past driver safety training and industry knowledge are critical to achieving the CSD credential.

To learn more about the Certified Safe Driver certification, and how your drivers can earn this industry-specific credential, visit the Professional Development page of the NWRA website, or email us at [email protected]