| Step | Potential Hazard | Control |
|---|---|---|
| Assess route and work area | High traffic neighborhoods, narrow shoulders, blind curves, poor lighting | Plan route; establish MUTCD compliant work zone as needed; use lookouts; schedule pickup during daylight when possible |
| Inspect equipment (trucks, trailers, loaders) | Hydraulic leaks, faulty brakes, damaged grapples, malfunctioning lights | Perform pre trip inspection on all vehicles; check backup alarms and beacons; remove unsafe equipment from service |
| Don required PPE | Eye injuries, struck by hazards, cuts from materials | Wear high visibility vest, steel toe boots, gloves, and safety glasses before entering roadway |
| Position truck at pickup location | Backing hazards, oncoming traffic, tight areas near mailboxes or parked cars | Use spotter when backing; activate beacons; position truck as shield between crew and traffic when possible |
| Establish safe zone around crew | Motorists entering work area, distracted drivers | Use cones and signage; maintain buffer area; assign lookout to warn crew of approaching vehicles |
| Identify and inspect curbside items | Hidden sharp objects, hazardous waste, heavy loads | Inspect piles visually; avoid handling chemicals, paint, batteries, or unidentified containers; tag prohibited materials for separate disposal |
| Manual handling of smaller items | Lifting injuries, cuts, punctures | Lift with legs; avoid twisting; use gloves; request team lift for heavy or awkward items |
| Mechanical loading with grapple or loader | Struck by arm swing, falling debris, load shift | Establish exclusion zone; operate boom slowly; use communication signals; keep crew clear of swing radius |
| Handle brush and leaf piles | Hidden objects, insects, slippery surfaces | Rake piles carefully; probe with tools; watch footing on wet leaves; avoid grabbing debris blindly |
| Load bulky household items | Sharp edges, nails, unstable objects, heavy lifting | Use dollies or team lifts; secure load in truck; keep fingers away from pinch points; avoid overloading |
| Transport between stops | Load shifting, reduced visibility, traffic hazards | Secure items; tarp loose materials; drive at safe speed; use mirrors and cameras frequently |
| Dump at disposal site | Falling material, tipping hazards, backing into obstacles | Use spotter; dump slowly; keep personnel away from drop zone; lower equipment fully before leaving |
| Clean loose debris from roadway | Slip hazards, obscured storm drains | Sweep or rake residual material; ensure storm drains remain clear; remove all hazards before moving on |
| Final route check | Missed piles, unsafe debris left behind | Conduct follow up pass; document uncollectable items; notify property owners if needed |
| Remove traffic control | Exposure to live traffic during takedown | Remove cones and signs in reverse order; maintain lookout; keep PPE on until truck is safely clear |
Hard hat
Safety glasses
High visibility vest or jacket (Class 3 recommended)
Cut resistant gloves
Steel toe boots
Hearing protection when near equipment
Long pants and long sleeves
Dust mask or respirator when handling dusty or molded materials
Always have a complete, well-stocked first aid kit available.
JSA Category: Miscellaneous Operations
* The steps, hazards, and controls displayed above may be incomplete or not suit your department's needs. All job safety analyses should be a completed with frontline worker input to ensure that each potential hazard is identified and mitigated.
Please read about The Essentials Elements of a Solid Job Safety Anaylsis here.
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| Step | Potential Hazard | Control |
|---|---|---|
| Assess route and work area | High traffic neighborhoods, narrow shoulders, blind curves, poor lighting | Plan route; establish MUTCD compliant work zone as needed; use lookouts; schedule pickup during daylight when possible |
| Inspect equipment (trucks, trailers, loaders) | Hydraulic leaks, faulty brakes, damaged grapples, malfunctioning lights | Perform pre trip inspection on all vehicles; check backup alarms and beacons; remove unsafe equipment from service |
| Don required PPE | Eye injuries, struck by hazards, cuts from materials | Wear high visibility vest, steel toe boots, gloves, and safety glasses before entering roadway |
| Position truck at pickup location | Backing hazards, oncoming traffic, tight areas near mailboxes or parked cars | Use spotter when backing; activate beacons; position truck as shield between crew and traffic when possible |
| Establish safe zone around crew | Motorists entering work area, distracted drivers | Use cones and signage; maintain buffer area; assign lookout to warn crew of approaching vehicles |
| Identify and inspect curbside items | Hidden sharp objects, hazardous waste, heavy loads | Inspect piles visually; avoid handling chemicals, paint, batteries, or unidentified containers; tag prohibited materials for separate disposal |
| Manual handling of smaller items | Lifting injuries, cuts, punctures | Lift with legs; avoid twisting; use gloves; request team lift for heavy or awkward items |
| Mechanical loading with grapple or loader | Struck by arm swing, falling debris, load shift | Establish exclusion zone; operate boom slowly; use communication signals; keep crew clear of swing radius |
| Handle brush and leaf piles | Hidden objects, insects, slippery surfaces | Rake piles carefully; probe with tools; watch footing on wet leaves; avoid grabbing debris blindly |
| Load bulky household items | Sharp edges, nails, unstable objects, heavy lifting | Use dollies or team lifts; secure load in truck; keep fingers away from pinch points; avoid overloading |
| Transport between stops | Load shifting, reduced visibility, traffic hazards | Secure items; tarp loose materials; drive at safe speed; use mirrors and cameras frequently |
| Dump at disposal site | Falling material, tipping hazards, backing into obstacles | Use spotter; dump slowly; keep personnel away from drop zone; lower equipment fully before leaving |
| Clean loose debris from roadway | Slip hazards, obscured storm drains | Sweep or rake residual material; ensure storm drains remain clear; remove all hazards before moving on |
| Final route check | Missed piles, unsafe debris left behind | Conduct follow up pass; document uncollectable items; notify property owners if needed |
| Remove traffic control | Exposure to live traffic during takedown | Remove cones and signs in reverse order; maintain lookout; keep PPE on until truck is safely clear |
Hard hat
Safety glasses
High visibility vest or jacket (Class 3 recommended)
Cut resistant gloves
Steel toe boots
Hearing protection when near equipment
Long pants and long sleeves
Dust mask or respirator when handling dusty or molded materials