Waste Management Safety Manual

What Should a Waste Management Safety Manual Include?

The contents of a Waste Management Safety Manual should reflect the operations actually performed.

Depending on the company, the manual may address:

• Waste management safety responsibilities.
• Hazard assessments.
• Job Safety Analysis (JSA/JHA).
• Safety inspections.
• Refuse collection vehicles.
• Vehicle inspections.
• Collection routes.
• Backing.
• Spotters.
• Struck-by hazards.
• Public traffic.
• Riding steps and riding positions.
• Entering and exiting vehicles.
• Manual waste collection.
• Automated collection.
• Residential collection.
• Commercial collection.
• Dumpsters and containers.
• Roll-off operations.
• Compactors.
• Hydraulic equipment.
• Transfer stations.
• Tipping floors.
• Landfill operations.
• Mobile equipment.
• Heavy equipment.
• Manual material handling.
• Ergonomics.
• Sharps and needlesticks.
• Biological hazards.
• Unknown chemicals.
• Lithium-ion batteries.
• Hazard Communication.
• Personal Protective Equipment.
• Heat and cold stress.
• Emergency response.

Programs should be selected according to the company’s collection methods, vehicles, equipment, facilities, waste streams, and actual employee exposures.

Waste Management Safety Program

An effective Waste Management Safety Program establishes responsibilities and procedures for identifying hazards, preventing employee injuries and illnesses, maintaining vehicles and equipment, and controlling occupational exposures.

Management should provide employees with appropriate vehicles, equipment, PPE, training, supervision, maintenance resources, and safe work procedures.

Managers, supervisors, and designated safety personnel should:

• Identify and evaluate workplace hazards.
• Maintain applicable written safety programs.
• Establish safe collection procedures.
• Maintain vehicles and equipment.
• Establish backing procedures.
• Evaluate collection routes.
• Provide appropriate PPE.
• Maintain traffic and pedestrian controls at facilities.
• Evaluate chemical and biological exposures.
• Correct unsafe conditions.
• Investigate workplace incidents.
• Provide employee training.
• Maintain applicable records.

Employees should follow established procedures, inspect vehicles and equipment, use required PPE, remain alert to traffic and mobile-equipment hazards, and promptly report unsafe conditions, injuries, exposures, equipment defects, spills, fires, and other hazards.

Waste Management Hazard Assessments

Hazard assessments should consider:

• Collection vehicles.
• Collection methods.
• Public traffic.
• Backing.
• Riding positions.
• Containers.
• Compaction equipment.
• Hydraulic systems.
• Waste materials.
• Transfer stations.
• Landfills.
• Mobile equipment.
• Chemicals.
• Biological hazards.
• Weather.
• Employee tasks.

Potential hazards may include:

• Struck-by incidents.
• Vehicle collisions.
• Crushing.
• Pinch points.
• Falls.
• Lifting injuries.
• Needlesticks.
• Cuts and punctures.
• Chemical exposure.
• Biological exposure.
• Hydraulic energy.
• Fire.
• Heat and cold stress.

Assessments should be reviewed when vehicles, collection methods, equipment, facilities, or waste streams change significantly.

Job Safety Analysis (JSA/JHA)

A JSA/JHA can be used to evaluate higher-risk waste-management activities.

Potential JSAs/JHAs may address:

• Residential waste collection.
• Commercial waste collection.
• Refuse truck backing.
• Roll-off container delivery.
• Roll-off container pickup.
• Dumpster servicing.
• Compactor servicing.
• Transfer-station operations.
• Landfill unloading.
• Equipment maintenance.
• Sharps handling.
• Spill response.

The analysis should identify job steps, hazards, controls, PPE, and employee responsibilities.

Waste Management Safety Inspections

Periodic inspections should evaluate workplace conditions and equipment.

Inspection areas may include:

• Refuse trucks.
• Riding steps.
• Backing alarms.
• Cameras.
• Mirrors.
• Hydraulic systems.
• Containers.
• Compactors.
• Transfer stations.
• Tipping floors.
• Landfill areas.
• Maintenance shops.
• Chemical storage.
• Emergency equipment.
• PPE.

Identified deficiencies should be corrected in a timely manner.

Refuse Collection Vehicle Safety

Refuse collection vehicles create some of the most significant hazards in solid-waste operations.

Employees may be exposed to the movement of:

• The refuse truck.
• Loading mechanisms.
• Compaction equipment.
• Container-lifting systems.
• Other vehicles.
• Passing motorists.

Only appropriately trained and authorized employees should operate collection vehicles and specialized collection equipment.

Pre-Trip Vehicle Inspections

Collection vehicles should be inspected before operation according to company and applicable requirements.

Inspections may address:

• Brakes.
• Steering.
• Tires and wheels.
• Lights.
• Mirrors.
• Cameras.
• Horn.
• Backing alarm.
• Hydraulic systems.
• Steps.
• Handholds.
• Compaction equipment.
• Container-lifting systems.
• Emergency equipment.

Defects affecting safe operation should be corrected before the vehicle is placed into service.

Collection Route Safety

Routes should be evaluated for foreseeable hazards such as:

• Heavy traffic.
• Narrow streets.
• Blind intersections.
• Schools.
• Pedestrians.
• Cyclists.
• Construction.
• Steep grades.
• Low clearances.
• Overhead power lines.
• Difficult backing locations.
• Unsafe container placement.

Drivers and collection employees should report route hazards so safer procedures can be established where practical.

Public Traffic

Collection employees frequently work near moving public traffic.

Employees should remain alert to approaching vehicles and avoid unnecessary exposure to active travel lanes.

Where appropriate, controls may include:

• High-visibility apparel.
• Vehicle warning lights.
• Safe vehicle positioning.
• Route planning.
• Employee positioning.
• Situational awareness.

Employees should never assume approaching motorists see them.

Struck-By Prevention

Employees working around collection vehicles should remain outside hazardous vehicle movement areas whenever possible.

Employees should avoid:

• Standing directly behind backing vehicles.
• Crossing unexpectedly in front of moving equipment.
• Remaining between a vehicle and fixed object.
• Entering blind areas without communication.

Drivers should stop when they cannot determine that the path is clear.

Backing Safety

Backing should be minimized where practical.

Before backing, the driver should evaluate:

• Employees.
• Pedestrians.
• Vehicles.
• Structures.
• Containers.
• Overhead hazards.
• Blind areas.
• Available space.

Backing should be performed slowly and under control.

Backing Alarms and Cameras

Required or provided backing alarms, cameras, sensors, and mirrors should be maintained in operating condition.

These devices assist the driver but do not replace the need to:

• Check the backing path.
• Use spotters when appropriate.
• Maintain situational awareness.
• Stop when uncertain.

Spotters

A spotter should be used where required by company procedures or where conditions make backing difficult.

Before movement begins, the driver and spotter should agree on:

• Signals.
• Spotter position.
• Vehicle path.
• Stop signal.

The driver should immediately stop if visual contact or communication with the spotter is lost.

Spotter Positioning

Spotters should remain:

• Visible to the driver.
• Outside the vehicle’s path.
• Away from pinch and crush points.
• Clear of fixed objects.

Spotters should never position themselves directly behind a moving vehicle.

Blind Spots

Refuse trucks and heavy equipment can have substantial blind areas.

Employees should become familiar with the blind areas of the equipment used at their workplace.

Employees on foot should avoid remaining in blind spots and should establish positive communication with the operator before approaching equipment.

Riding Positions

Employees should ride only in positions designed and authorized for employee transportation.

Employees should not ride:

• On bumpers.
• On container-lifting mechanisms.
• On hoppers.
• On roofs.
• On other unauthorized areas.

Riding-step use should comply with equipment limitations, company procedures, applicable requirements, and operating conditions.

Riding Steps

Where employees are permitted to use riding steps, they should:

• Use designated steps and handholds.
• Maintain secure footing and grip.
• Face the vehicle as designed.
• Remain alert to nearby objects.
• Follow speed and travel restrictions.
• Avoid riding during unsafe conditions.

Damaged riding steps or handholds should be reported and removed from use as appropriate.

Unsafe Riding Conditions

Employees should not use exterior riding positions when conditions make riding unsafe.

Conditions may include:

• Excessive speed.
• Long-distance travel.
• Highway travel.
• Unsafe road surfaces.
• Obstructions.
• Severe weather.
• Other conditions prohibited by company procedures or equipment requirements.

Entering and Exiting Vehicles

Employees repeatedly entering and exiting collection vehicles may be exposed to falls and musculoskeletal stress.

Employees should:

• Use designated steps.
• Use handholds.
• Maintain secure contact.
• Face the vehicle when appropriate.
• Avoid jumping from the cab.
• Keep steps free of mud, ice, grease, and debris.

Collection Vehicle Movement

Drivers should not move the vehicle until collection employees are in a known safe position.

Employees should establish clear communication procedures for starting, stopping, and moving the vehicle.

Residential Waste Collection

Residential collection may expose employees to:

• Passing traffic.
• Repetitive lifting.
• Uneven surfaces.
• Animals.
• Sharps.
• Broken glass.
• Heavy containers.
• Weather.
• Slips and falls.

Employees should evaluate containers and surroundings before handling waste.

Manual Collection

Manual collection can involve repeated lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, and throwing.

Employees should:

• Avoid lifting excessively heavy containers alone.
• Use mechanical assistance where available.
• Maintain control of containers.
• Watch for sharp objects.
• Avoid reaching blindly into waste.
• Report unsafe containers.

Automated Collection

Automated and semi-automated collection systems can reduce some manual-handling and roadway exposures but introduce hazards involving hydraulic arms, container-lifting systems, pinch points, and equipment movement.

Employees should remain clear of moving collection mechanisms.

Only trained and authorized employees should operate automated equipment.

Side-Loading Vehicles

Side-loading collection vehicles may use automated or manual collection systems.

Operators should consider:

• Pedestrians.
• Parked vehicles.
• Utility poles.
• Overhead lines.
• Container placement.
• Hydraulic-arm clearance.

Employees should remain clear of moving arms and containers.

Rear-Loading Vehicles

Rear-loading trucks can expose employees to hazards involving:

• The hopper.
• Packer mechanism.
• Vehicle movement.
• Riding steps.
• Traffic.
• Containers.

Employees should remain clear of the compaction mechanism during operation.

Front-Loading Vehicles

Front-loading trucks may handle large commercial dumpsters.

Operators should evaluate:

• Overhead power lines.
• Building clearances.
• Container condition.
• Pedestrians.
• Vehicle stability.
• Falling material.

Employees should remain clear of raised containers.

Commercial Waste Collection

Commercial collection may involve:

• Dumpsters.
• Compactors.
• Enclosures.
• Narrow alleys.
• Customer traffic.
• Overhead utilities.
• Restricted clearance.

Drivers should evaluate the service area before positioning the vehicle.

Dumpster Safety

Dumpsters may expose employees to:

• Crushing.
• Pinch points.
• Sharp material.
• Unstable loads.
• Heavy lids.
• Vehicle movement.

Employees should not enter dumpsters unless a specific procedure requires entry and all hazards have been evaluated and controlled.

Container Condition

Containers should be inspected for conditions such as:

• Damaged lifting pockets.
• Broken wheels.
• Sharp edges.
• Damaged lids.
• Structural deterioration.
• Unstable loads.

Unsafe containers should be reported.

Container Placement

Containers should be positioned to reduce hazards involving:

• Public traffic.
• Pedestrians.
• Slopes.
• Overhead power lines.
• Buildings.
• Fire access.
• Vehicle maneuvering.

Roll-Off Operations

Roll-off operations involve significant hazards from:

• Heavy containers.
• Vehicle movement.
• Hydraulic systems.
• Cable or hook systems.
• Slopes.
• Overhead hazards.
• Container movement.

Only trained and authorized employees should operate roll-off equipment.

Roll-Off Site Assessment

Before loading or unloading a roll-off container, the driver should evaluate:

• Ground condition.
• Slope.
• Overhead clearance.
• Power lines.
• Pedestrians.
• Traffic.
• Container condition.
• Vehicle positioning.

Operations should not proceed when conditions create uncontrolled hazards.

Roll-Off Container Pickup

Before pickup, the driver should evaluate the container for:

• Overloading.
• Uneven loading.
• Protruding material.
• Shifted contents.
• Damaged components.
• Unsafe access.

Unsafe conditions should be corrected before transport when practical.

Roll-Off Container Delivery

Containers should be placed on surfaces capable of supporting the load.

Drivers should maintain clearance from overhead utilities and structures during loading and unloading.

Employees should remain outside the container’s movement path.

Cable and Hook Systems

Employees should inspect applicable cable, hook, winch, and attachment components.

Employees should remain clear of:

• Tensioned cables.
• Hooks.
• Container movement.
• Pinch points.

Damaged equipment should be removed from service.

Hydraulic Systems

Waste collection equipment frequently uses high-pressure hydraulic systems.

Employees should:

• Inspect hoses and fittings.
• Report leaks.
• Keep body parts away from suspected high-pressure leaks.
• Relieve pressure before servicing.
• Secure raised components.

High-pressure fluid injection injuries require prompt medical attention.

Raised Equipment

Employees should never work beneath raised bodies, containers, arms, tailgates, or other components unless they are securely supported or blocked against unintended movement.

Hydraulic pressure alone should not be relied upon to support equipment during maintenance.

Compactor Safety

Compaction equipment can create severe crushing and amputation hazards.

Employees should remain outside compaction zones during operation.

Guards, interlocks, and safety devices should not be bypassed.

Compactor Operation

Only trained and authorized employees should operate compactors.

Employees should understand:

• Controls.
• Emergency stops.
• Loading procedures.
• Restricted areas.
• Jam-clearing procedures.
• Hazardous-energy controls.

Compactor Jam Clearing

Employees should not reach into or enter hazardous compactor areas while energy is present.

Where jam clearing or servicing exposes employees to unexpected startup or hazardous energy, appropriate energy-control procedures should be followed.

Crushing Hazards

Employees should keep clear of areas where they could be trapped between:

• Trucks and containers.
• Containers and walls.
• Tailgates and truck bodies.
• Compaction mechanisms.
• Vehicles and fixed objects.

Employees should never rely solely on another employee’s observation when a physical control can eliminate the hazard.

Loading and Unloading

Waste-management employees may load or unload:

• Containers.
• Equipment.
• Waste.
• Supplies.
• Recovered materials.

Procedures should address vehicle movement, falling material, shifting loads, mobile equipment, and employee positioning.

Manual Material Handling

Waste collection can involve repeated handling of bags, cans, carts, bulky items, and other materials.

Employees should evaluate:

• Weight.
• Shape.
• Stability.
• Sharp edges.
• Leakage.
• Available grip.

Mechanical assistance or team handling should be used where appropriate.

Ergonomics

Waste-management work may involve:

• Repetitive lifting.
• Reaching.
• Pulling.
• Pushing.
• Twisting.
• Frequent vehicle entry and exit.
• Awkward container handling.

Collection methods and equipment should be evaluated to reduce unnecessary musculoskeletal stress.

Heavy or Bulky Items

Employees should not attempt to manually lift items that cannot be safely controlled.

Mechanical equipment, team lifting, special pickup procedures, or other methods should be used when appropriate.

Slips, Trips and Falls

Collection employees may encounter:

• Ice.
• Rain.
• Mud.
• Uneven pavement.
• Curbs.
• Debris.
• Potholes.
• Waste.
• Leaking liquids.

Employees should use appropriate footwear and remain alert to walking surfaces.

Dogs and Other Animals

Collection employees may encounter aggressive or uncontrolled animals.

Employees should:

• Remain alert.
• Avoid provoking animals.
• Follow company procedures.
• Report recurring hazards.

Employees should not place themselves at unnecessary risk to complete a collection.

Sharps Hazards

Waste streams may contain improperly discarded:

• Hypodermic needles.
• Syringes.
• Lancets.
• Razor blades.
• Broken glass.
• Other sharp objects.

Employees should avoid reaching blindly into bags, containers, or loose waste.

Needlestick Prevention

Potential controls may include:

• Puncture-resistant or task-appropriate gloves.
• Mechanical handling.
• Tools.
• Employee training.
• Safe retrieval procedures.
• Sharps containers.

No glove should be represented as providing complete protection against all needle punctures.

Needlestick Response

An employee who experiences a needlestick or other potentially contaminated sharps injury should:

• Stop work.
• Wash the affected area.
• Report the incident immediately.
• Obtain prompt medical evaluation.

The company should maintain procedures for obtaining timely medical evaluation during operating hours.

Broken Glass and Sharp Materials

Employees should not compress bags by hand or against the body.

Loose sharp materials should be handled using appropriate tools or mechanical methods where practical.

Biological Hazards

Waste may contain biological contaminants from:

• Food waste.
• Animal waste.
• Human waste.
• Used personal-care items.
• Contaminated sharps.
• Decomposing materials.

Employees should use appropriate hygiene and PPE.

Personal Hygiene

Employees should wash their hands before:

• Eating.
• Drinking.
• Smoking.
• Using tobacco products.
• Handling personal items.

Employees should avoid touching their face with contaminated gloves.

Contaminated Clothing

Clothing contaminated with potentially hazardous waste, chemicals, or biological material should be removed and handled according to company procedures.

Employees should not take significantly contaminated work clothing into clean eating or personal areas.

Unknown Materials

Waste-management employees may encounter unidentified containers, liquids, powders, cylinders, batteries, or other materials.

Employees should not:

• Open unknown containers.
• Smell unknown chemicals deliberately.
• Mix unknown liquids.
• Crush unidentified containers.
• Handle leaking packages unnecessarily.

Suspect materials should be isolated and reported.

Chemical Odors and Releases

Employees encountering strong or unusual chemical odors should:

• Stop work.
• Move to a safe location.
• Warn others.
• Notify appropriate supervision.
• Obtain emergency assistance when necessary.

Employees should not investigate unknown atmospheric hazards without appropriate training and protection.

Hazard Communication

Waste-management operations may use hazardous chemicals such as:

• Fuels.
• Oils.
• Hydraulic fluids.
• Cleaning products.
• Degreasers.
• Vehicle-maintenance chemicals.
• Pesticides.
• Other workplace chemicals.

An applicable Hazard Communication Program should address labels, Safety Data Sheets, employee training, and chemical information.

Hazardous Waste — When Applicable

Ordinary solid waste should not automatically be treated as regulated hazardous waste.

When operations involve hazardous waste or employees discover materials suspected of being hazardous, the company should follow applicable identification, handling, reporting, storage, transportation, and emergency procedures.

Employees should not handle unknown hazardous materials beyond their training and authorization.

Lithium-Ion Batteries

Lithium-ion batteries can enter municipal and commercial waste streams through improperly discarded:

• Electronics.
• Power tools.
• E-bikes.
• Personal devices.
• Battery packs.
• Other equipment.

Damaged, crushed, punctured, or short-circuited batteries may create serious fire hazards.

Battery Identification and Segregation

Where practical, employees should identify and separate batteries from waste streams before they enter compaction or processing equipment.

Damaged or suspect batteries should be handled according to company procedures.

Battery Fires

Employees should understand procedures for battery-related fires or thermal events.

Procedures should address:

• Alarm.
• Evacuation.
• Emergency notification.
• Area isolation.
• Specialized response where applicable.

Employees should not perform emergency response beyond their training and available protection.

Aerosol Cans and Pressurized Containers

Waste may contain:

• Aerosol cans.
• Propane cylinders.
• Fire extinguishers.
• Gas cylinders.
• Other pressurized containers.

Employees should avoid crushing or puncturing unidentified pressurized containers.

Suspect containers should be handled according to facility procedures.

Fire Prevention

Waste collection and disposal operations can encounter combustible materials and ignition sources.

Potential fire hazards may include:

• Lithium batteries.
• Hot loads.
• Flammable liquids.
• Vehicle fires.
• Equipment overheating.
• Smoking materials.
• Hot Work.

Employees should promptly report smoke, unusual heat, fire, or suspected hot loads.

Hot Loads

A load showing signs of fire, smoke, or unusual heating should be handled according to established emergency procedures.

Employees should consider the risks of:

• Opening the body.
• Unloading.
• Entering the vehicle.
• Moving the truck.
• Exposing other employees or the public.

Emergency responders should be contacted when appropriate.

Transfer Station Safety

Transfer stations can expose employees to:

• Refuse trucks.
• Tractor-trailers.
• Tipping floors.
• Loaders.
• Compactors.
• Falling waste.
• Dust.
• Noise.
• Pedestrians.

Traffic and equipment movement should be carefully coordinated.

Transfer Station Traffic

Facilities should establish traffic patterns for:

• Incoming collection vehicles.
• Transfer trailers.
• Heavy equipment.
• Employee vehicles.
• Pedestrians.
• Customers where applicable.

Pedestrian exposure to vehicle routes should be minimized.

Tipping Floor Safety

Employees on tipping floors may be exposed to:

• Backing trucks.
• Loaders.
• Dumping waste.
• Falling material.
• Sharp objects.
• Fires.
• Dust.

Access should be limited to employees whose duties require entry.

Tipping Procedures

Drivers should follow facility instructions before unloading.

Employees should remain clear of:

• Raised truck bodies.
• Moving tailgates.
• Dumping waste.
• Mobile equipment.
• Unstable material piles.

Transfer Trailers

Employees loading transfer trailers should remain clear of falling waste and mobile-equipment operations.

Trailers should not be entered when loading or unloading operations create engulfment, crushing, or struck-by hazards.

Mobile Equipment

Transfer stations and landfills may use:

• Front-end loaders.
• Bulldozers.
• Compactors.
• Excavators.
• Skid steers.
• Material handlers.
• Other heavy equipment.

Only appropriately trained and authorized employees should operate equipment.

Mobile Equipment Inspections

Operators should inspect equipment before use according to company procedures.

Potential inspection items include:

• Brakes.
• Steering.
• Tires or tracks.
• Lights.
• Alarms.
• Cameras.
• Mirrors.
• Hydraulic systems.
• Safety equipment.

Defects affecting safe operation should be reported and corrected.

Pedestrian and Heavy Equipment Separation

Facilities should minimize interaction between employees on foot and heavy equipment.

Controls may include:

• Restricted areas.
• Designated walkways.
• Barriers.
• High-visibility apparel.
• Communication procedures.
• Traffic plans.

Landfill Safety

Landfill operations may involve:

• Refuse trucks.
• Transfer trailers.
• Heavy equipment.
• Public vehicles.
• Uneven terrain.
• Slopes.
• Unstable surfaces.
• Dust.
• Waste.
• Weather.
• Landfill gases.

Safety procedures should reflect the site’s layout and operations.

Landfill Traffic

Drivers entering landfill areas should follow established traffic routes and facility instructions.

Employees should remain alert to:

• Backing vehicles.
• Heavy equipment.
• Tipping areas.
• Pedestrians.
• Changing road conditions.

Landfill Unloading

Drivers should unload only in designated areas.

Before unloading, drivers should evaluate:

• Ground stability.
• Slope.
• Nearby equipment.
• Other vehicles.
• Overhead hazards.
• Employee position.

Unstable Ground

Landfill roads and tipping areas can change due to weather, waste placement, and equipment traffic.

Operators should use caution around:

• Soft ground.
• Drop-offs.
• Slopes.
• Washouts.
• Excavations.
• Unstable edges.

Heavy Equipment Blind Areas

Employees should avoid entering heavy-equipment blind areas without positive communication with the operator.

Operators should stop if they lose track of employees working nearby.

Landfill Gas — When Applicable

Decomposing waste can generate gases including methane and carbon dioxide.

Certain operations or spaces may also present oxygen-deficient or other hazardous atmospheric conditions.

Atmospheric hazards should be evaluated where employee exposure may occur.

Methane

Methane can create fire and explosion hazards when it accumulates in appropriate concentrations.

Ignition sources should be controlled where methane hazards may exist.

Employees should follow site procedures for monitoring and responding to landfill-gas hazards.

Confined Spaces — When Applicable

Waste-management facilities may contain confined spaces such as:

• Tanks.
• Pits.
• Vaults.
• Vessels.
• Certain compactors.
• Process equipment.

Spaces should be evaluated according to their configuration and hazards.

Applicable entry procedures should be followed when permit-required confined spaces exist.

Sewage or Septic Waste — When Applicable

Companies that also handle sewage, septic waste, or similar materials may require additional procedures for:

• Biological exposure.
• Atmospheric hazards.
• Hydrogen sulfide.
• Confined spaces.
• Decontamination.
• PPE.

These operations should not automatically be treated as ordinary solid-waste collection.

Personal Protective Equipment

PPE should be selected according to employee hazards.

Depending on duties, PPE may include:

• Safety glasses.
• Goggles.
• Face protection.
• Gloves.
• Protective footwear.
• High-visibility apparel.
• Hearing protection.
• Chemical-resistant PPE.
• Respiratory protection.
• Protective clothing.

Employees should receive training regarding PPE use and limitations.

High-Visibility Apparel

Employees exposed to public traffic, refuse trucks, transfer-station traffic, or mobile equipment should use high-visibility apparel where required by the hazard assessment, applicable requirements, or company procedures.

High-visibility clothing does not replace the need for safe vehicle operation and traffic controls.

Hand Protection

Employees may require protection from:

• Sharp objects.
• Broken glass.
• Abrasive material.
• Chemicals.
• Biological contamination.

Gloves should be selected according to the task and hazard.

Eye and Face Protection

Eye and face protection may be necessary for:

• Flying debris.
• Dust.
• Chemicals.
• Hydraulic fluids.
• Maintenance operations.

The required protection should reflect the employee’s exposure.

Protective Footwear

Waste-management employees may be exposed to:

• Heavy objects.
• Sharp materials.
• Slippery surfaces.
• Uneven terrain.

Appropriate protective footwear should be selected based on the hazard assessment.

Respiratory Hazards

Depending on operations, employees may be exposed to:

• Dust.
• Vehicle exhaust.
• Mold.
• Biological aerosols.
• Chemicals.
• Landfill gases.
• Other contaminants.

Potential exposures should be evaluated according to the work performed.

Respiratory Protection — When Applicable

Where respirators are required, an appropriate Respiratory Protection Program should be maintained.

Applicable elements may include:

• Hazard evaluation.
• Respirator selection.
• Medical evaluation.
• Fit testing.
• Training.
• Inspection.
• Maintenance.
• Program evaluation.

Diesel Exhaust

Collection vehicles and heavy equipment can generate diesel exhaust.

Indoor or enclosed facilities should control exhaust through measures such as:

• Ventilation.
• Limiting unnecessary idling.
• Equipment maintenance.
• Exhaust extraction where appropriate.

Noise Exposure

Waste-management employees may be exposed to noise from:

• Refuse trucks.
• Compactors.
• Heavy equipment.
• Transfer stations.
• Maintenance tools.
• Other machinery.

Employee exposure should be evaluated where hazardous noise may be present.

Hearing Conservation

Where employee exposure reaches applicable thresholds, required Hearing Conservation measures should be implemented.

These may include:

• Exposure monitoring.
• Audiometric testing.
• Hearing protection.
• Training.
• Recordkeeping.

Heat Stress

Collection, landfill, and transfer-station employees may perform strenuous work in hot conditions.

Heat-illness prevention procedures should consider:

• Drinking water.
• Rest.
• Cooling.
• Acclimatization.
• Workload.
• Weather.
• Protective clothing.

Employees should understand signs and symptoms of heat illness.

Cold Stress

Waste collection continues during cold, wet, snowy, or icy weather in many locations.

Procedures should consider:

• Protective clothing.
• Warming opportunities.
• Ice.
• Wind.
• Wet conditions.
• Employee monitoring.

Severe Weather

Waste-management operations may be affected by:

• Lightning.
• High winds.
• Flooding.
• Snow.
• Ice.
• Extreme heat.
• Extreme cold.
• Wildfire smoke.

Employees should understand when operations should be suspended or modified.

Maintenance Safety

Maintenance employees may work on:

• Collection vehicles.
• Compactors.
• Hydraulic equipment.
• Heavy equipment.
• Containers.
• Electrical systems.

Potential hazards include hazardous energy, raised components, pressure, chemicals, welding, electrical hazards, and heavy parts.

Hazardous Energy Control

Maintenance and servicing work should address hazardous energy from sources such as:

• Electrical systems.
• Hydraulic systems.
• Pneumatic systems.
• Mechanical movement.
• Gravity.
• Stored pressure.

Applicable energy-control procedures should be followed when employees could be exposed to unexpected startup or release of hazardous energy.

Blocking and Supporting Equipment

Employees should not work beneath raised truck bodies, tailgates, container arms, loader components, or other equipment unless appropriate blocking or support has been provided.

Employees should not rely solely on hydraulic systems.

Tire and Wheel Safety

Waste-management vehicles and heavy equipment may use large tires and multi-piece or single-piece rim assemblies.

Only appropriately trained employees should perform specialized tire and wheel servicing.

Applicable procedures and restraining equipment should be used where required.

Welding and Hot Work

Maintenance activities may involve welding, cutting, brazing, or grinding.

Hot Work procedures should consider:

• Fuel.
• Hydraulic fluids.
• Waste.
• Batteries.
• Tires.
• Combustible materials.
• Gas cylinders.
• Fire protection.

Fueling

Fueling procedures should control:

• Ignition sources.
• Spills.
• Vehicle movement.
• Overfilling.
• Smoking.

Employees should know how to report and respond to fuel spills.

Electrical Safety

Employees should report damaged:

• Wiring.
• Electrical enclosures.
• Extension cords.
• Plugs.
• Portable equipment.

Specialized electrical work should be performed only by appropriately qualified employees.

Overhead Power Lines

Refuse trucks, roll-off equipment, front-loading containers, raised truck bodies, and heavy equipment may contact overhead power lines.

Employees should identify overhead electrical hazards before raising equipment.

Applicable clearances should be maintained.

Employees should never assume an overhead line is de-energized.

Housekeeping

Transfer stations, maintenance shops, offices, and other facilities should be maintained to reduce:

• Slips and trips.
• Fire hazards.
• Blocked exits.
• Pest problems.
• Restricted access.

Waste and debris should be controlled according to facility procedures.

Workplace Violence and Security

Collection employees may interact with customers and members of the public in uncontrolled environments.

Potential hazards may involve:

• Angry customers.
• Road-rage incidents.
• Trespassing.
• Theft.
• Disputes.
• Unfamiliar locations.

Employees should avoid escalating confrontations and should know how to obtain assistance.

Working Alone

Drivers and other employees may work alone or in remote areas.

Procedures should address:

• Communication.
• Emergency assistance.
• Route monitoring where appropriate.
• Breakdown response.
• Remote work locations.

Employees should know how to obtain assistance during all operating hours.

Emergency Action Plan

Waste-management facilities should maintain emergency procedures appropriate to their hazards.

Potential emergencies may include:

• Fire.
• Battery thermal event.
• Chemical release.
• Severe weather.
• Equipment incident.
• Medical emergency.
• Workplace violence.

Employees should understand alarms, evacuation routes, assembly areas, and reporting procedures.

Roadway Emergencies

Drivers should understand procedures for:

• Vehicle breakdowns.
• Traffic accidents.
• Fires.
• Spills.
• Injuries.
• Unsafe road conditions.

Employees should protect themselves from passing traffic while awaiting assistance.

Fire Emergency

Employees should know how to:

• Activate alarms where provided.
• Notify emergency responders.
• Evacuate.
• Report the location and nature of the fire.
• Account for personnel as required.

Only employees trained and authorized under company procedures should attempt to use portable fire extinguishers.

First Aid

Appropriate first-aid resources should be available.

Potential waste-management injuries may include:

• Cuts.
• Punctures.
• Needlesticks.
• Strains.
• Crush injuries.
• Burns.
• Chemical exposures.
• Eye injuries.

Employees should promptly report injuries and obtain appropriate medical evaluation.

Incident Reporting

Employees should promptly report:

• Employee injuries.
• Vehicle accidents.
• Near misses.
• Struck-by incidents.
• Needlesticks.
• Chemical exposures.
• Equipment damage.
• Fires.
• Spills.
• Unsafe conditions.

Prompt reporting allows hazards to be identified and corrected.

Incident Investigation

Significant incidents should be investigated to identify:

• Immediate causes.
• Contributing factors.
• Root causes.
• Corrective actions.

Investigations may consider:

• Vehicle design.
• Route conditions.
• Backing.
• Employee positioning.
• Equipment maintenance.
• Training.
• Communication.
• Work pace.
• Weather.
• Facility layout.
• Waste characteristics.

Root Cause Analysis

Root Cause Analysis may identify underlying factors involving:

• Vehicle selection.
• Route planning.
• Backing procedures.
• Equipment maintenance.
• Employee training.
• Staffing.
• Scheduling.
• Work pace.
• Supervision.
• Communication.
• Hazard identification.
• Corrective-action systems.

Corrective actions should address identified causes rather than simply assigning blame.

Waste Management Safety Training

Employee training should reflect assigned duties and actual workplace hazards.

Depending on responsibilities, training may address:

• Refuse truck safety.
• Backing.
• Spotters.
• Riding positions.
• Public traffic.
• Collection equipment.
• Roll-off operations.
• Compactors.
• Mobile equipment.
• Manual handling.
• Sharps.
• Chemicals.
• PPE.
• Emergency procedures.

Task-specific training should be provided before employees independently operate specialized vehicles or equipment.

New Employee Orientation

New employees should receive safety orientation before independently performing assigned duties.

Orientation may address:

• Collection hazards.
• Traffic.
• Refuse trucks.
• Backing.
• Riding positions.
• PPE.
• Sharps.
• Chemicals.
• Incident reporting.
• Emergency procedures.

Employees should not operate vehicles or specialized equipment until appropriately trained and authorized.

Refresher Training

Refresher or remedial training may be appropriate following:

• Preventable vehicle incidents.
• Unsafe backing.
• Equipment misuse.
• Significant policy violations.
• New equipment.
• Changed routes.
• Identified knowledge gaps.

Safety Meetings

Periodic safety meetings may reinforce safe work practices and address current hazards.

Potential topics include:

• Backing.
• Struck-by prevention.
• Riding-step safety.
• Traffic.
• Needlesticks.
• Heavy lifting.
• Heat stress.
• Lithium batteries.
• Recent incidents and near misses.

Recordkeeping

Waste-management employers should maintain occupational safety and health records required for their operations.

Records may include:

• Employee training.
• Injury and illness records.
• Vehicle inspections.
• Equipment inspections.
• Maintenance records.
• Exposure monitoring.
• Respiratory Protection records.
• Hearing Conservation records.
• Incident investigations.
• Medical and exposure records.

Records should be retained according to applicable requirements.

Additional Safety Programs

Depending on waste-management operations and employee exposures, additional programs may be necessary for:

• Job Safety Analysis (JSA/JHA).
• Driver Safety & Defensive Driving.
• Fleet Vehicle Safety.
• Mobile Equipment.
• Heavy Equipment.
• Traffic Control.
• Loading & Unloading.
• Backing & Spotter Safety.
• Roll-Off Container Safety.
• Compactor Safety.
• Machine Guarding.
• Lockout/Tagout.
• Vehicle Maintenance.
• Hand & Power Tools.
• Welding, Cutting & Hot Work.
• Electrical Safety.
• Working Near Overhead Power Lines.
• Hazard Communication.
• Chemical Safety.
• Biological Hazard Safety.
• Bloodborne Pathogens where applicable.
• Respiratory Protection.
• Personal Protective Equipment.
• Eye & Face Protection.
• Hand Protection.
• Hearing Conservation.
• Manual Lifting & Material Handling.
• Ergonomics.
• Slips, Trips & Falls.
• Walking-Working Surfaces.
• Housekeeping.
• Confined Space.
• Hydrogen Sulfide where applicable.
• Heat Stress Prevention.
• Cold Stress.
• Severe Weather.
• Working Alone.
• Workplace Violence Prevention.
• Workplace Security.
• Emergency Action Plan.
• Fire Prevention.
• First Aid.
• Spill Prevention & Response.
• Hazardous Waste Management.
• Incident Reporting & Investigation.
• Root Cause Analysis.

Programs should be included when the company’s vehicles, collection methods, facilities, equipment, waste streams, chemicals, and employee exposures make them applicable.

Building a Waste Management Safety Manual

A useful Waste Management Safety Manual should reflect how the company actually collects, transports, transfers, or disposes of waste.

A residential refuse-collection company may require extensive procedures for rear- or side-loading trucks, public traffic, riding positions, repetitive container handling, backing, sharps, slips and falls, and severe weather.

A commercial waste company may require greater emphasis on dumpsters, front-loading trucks, compactors, overhead power lines, customer locations, and container condition.

A roll-off company may require specialized procedures for heavy containers, hydraulic equipment, cables or hook systems, container loading and unloading, overhead clearances, unstable ground, and vehicle operation.

A transfer-station operator may require substantial programs for tipping floors, tractor-trailers, heavy equipment, traffic control, compactors, dust, noise, and pedestrian safety.

A landfill operator may require additional procedures for heavy equipment, truck traffic, unloading, slopes, unstable ground, landfill gases, dust, and changing site conditions.

The safety manual should therefore be based on the company’s actual operations rather than automatically assigning every waste-management program to every employer.

Customized Waste Management Safety Manuals

A Waste Management Safety Manual can be developed around the company’s refuse trucks, collection routes, dumpsters, roll-off containers, compactors, transfer stations, landfills, mobile equipment, maintenance operations, waste streams, employees, and other occupational hazards.

The finished manual may incorporate applicable programs for Driver Safety, Fleet Vehicles, Backing and Spotter Safety, Mobile Equipment, Roll-Off Safety, Compactor Safety, Hazard Communication, Sharps Exposure, PPE, Manual Material Handling, Heat Stress, Emergency Action Planning, Incident Investigation, and other hazards associated with the operation.

This provides refuse collection companies, waste haulers, sanitation operations, transfer stations, landfill operators, and other solid-waste employers with a practical safety manual organized around the work their employees actually perform.