Trash collection, processing and disposal includes potentially dangerous activities that require proper safety training and well-maintained equipment. NSWMA has one of the most comprehensive safety programs for the entire industry. We work with the U.S. Department of Labor and other government agencies to make safety part of every company’s DNA. And we continue to advocate for new laws and regulations to help keep our industry’s employees safe. In recent years, the Bureau of Labor Statistics has found that these efforts have made a difference in decreasing the fatality rate for collectors of trash/recyclables. The public has a role to play in keeping garbage men safe…Please slow down when you see a garbage truck in your community.
The trash and solid waste removal industry is one of the most dangerous, and will continue to be until people become more aware, and abide by local laws and regulations. Most people will throw anything into dumpsters and trash cans, and aren’t really sure what classifies as hazardous materials.
The trash industry is a dangerous industry but many incidents can be avoided if people follow proper procedure. Extreme caution needs to be used when dumping any kind of material. On top of the damage that improper dumping is causing to the environment, people are physically injured every year due to not following safety guidelines. We recommend that proper safety and precautions are used when dumping waste.
The dangers involved with garbage collection are not limited to slowing down when garbage trucks are around. Many garbage men hang off the back of garbage trucks as they go through neighborhoods. This method of saving time does not seem safe. This element of the industry should be regulated. In addition to the safety hazards discussed above, garbage trucks are outfitted with compactors that are capable of crushing tons and tons of waste. Getting caught in a garbage truck compactor would almost certainly cause harm or death.