| Step | Potential Hazard | Control |
|---|---|---|
| Pre trip inspection | Truck defects, hydraulic leaks, poor lighting | Inspect brakes, lights, backup alarm, hopper, mirrors, and tires; repair defects before leaving |
| Don required PPE | Low visibility, hand injuries, foot injuries | Wear high visibility gear, cut resistant gloves, steel toe boots, and safety glasses |
| Review route and assignments | Confusion, unsafe backing situations | Plan route to minimize backing; assign positions for crew; discuss communication signals |
| Approach collection stop | Struck by passing traffic, limited visibility | Pull tight to curb; activate flashers; use cones in high risk areas |
| Exit cab safely | Slips on wet or icy surfaces | Maintain three points of contact; step down carefully; inspect ground conditions |
| Walk to refuse container | Trip hazards, hidden objects, animal hazards | Observe pathway; check for broken glass, dog waste, or animal presence |
| Inspect trash bags and containers | Sharp objects, needles, chemicals | Look for bulges or rips; do not compact with hands; set aside suspicious items |
| Lift and carry refuse manually | Back strain, overexertion | Use leg muscles; hold bags close to body; do not overload bags; ask for help on heavy items |
| Load refuse into hopper | Struck by packer, pinch points | Keep hands clear of hopper edges; never reach inside; load from side positions |
| Operate compactor | Crush hazards, hydraulic motion | Ensure all crew are clear before activating; use proper control sequence |
| Handle heavy cans or mixed waste | Strains, crushed fingers | Use team lifts or hand trucks; empty cans without twisting; place cans back safely |
| Work near the roadway | Struck by distracted drivers | Wear Class 3 PPE; face traffic whenever possible; retreat to sidewalk during compactor cycle |
| Backing the truck | Limited visibility, communication failures | Use spotter; maintain radio or hand signals; stop immediately if spotter is not visible |
| Dealing with hazardous or prohibited items | Chemical exposure, sharps injury | Follow hazardous waste protocol; isolate and report suspicious items; never compact unknown materials |
| Work in extreme weather | Heat stress, cold stress, icy surfaces | Take hydration or warming breaks; use traction cleats in winter; slow down in rain or snow |
| Riding rear steps (if permitted) | Falls, sudden movements | Only ride steps where policies allow; use both hands to hold on; do not ride during backing |
| Reenter cab | Slips on steps, clothing snagging | Maintain three points of contact; clean snow or mud from boots |
| End of route cleanup | Sharp debris, contamination | Sweep small debris; clean hopper tools; wash hands and disinfect if needed |
| Post trip inspection | Undetected truck damage | Inspect truck for leaks, broken lights, or damage; report and log issues |
High visibility vest or jacket (Class 3 recommended)
Steel toe boots
Cut resistant work gloves
Safety glasses
Hearing protection near compactors
Weather appropriate clothing
Respiratory protection if exposed to dust or strong odors (as required by policy)
Never lift items that exceed safe lifting limits; use mechanical aids whenever possible.
Establish clear communication between crew members before and during every stop.
Assume every bag contains sharp objects; never compress bags by hand or against body.
Children often approach garbage trucks; maintain constant situational awareness in residential areas.
Do not rush. Most injuries in manual collection come from haste and poor lifting posture.
Always have a complete, well-stocked first aid kit available.
JSA Category: Solid Waste and Recycling 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.
Thank you to our primary sponsor, Roadwurx, which is a simple asset management platform for small public works and road departments.
| Step | Potential Hazard | Control |
|---|---|---|
| Pre trip inspection | Truck defects, hydraulic leaks, poor lighting | Inspect brakes, lights, backup alarm, hopper, mirrors, and tires; repair defects before leaving |
| Don required PPE | Low visibility, hand injuries, foot injuries | Wear high visibility gear, cut resistant gloves, steel toe boots, and safety glasses |
| Review route and assignments | Confusion, unsafe backing situations | Plan route to minimize backing; assign positions for crew; discuss communication signals |
| Approach collection stop | Struck by passing traffic, limited visibility | Pull tight to curb; activate flashers; use cones in high risk areas |
| Exit cab safely | Slips on wet or icy surfaces | Maintain three points of contact; step down carefully; inspect ground conditions |
| Walk to refuse container | Trip hazards, hidden objects, animal hazards | Observe pathway; check for broken glass, dog waste, or animal presence |
| Inspect trash bags and containers | Sharp objects, needles, chemicals | Look for bulges or rips; do not compact with hands; set aside suspicious items |
| Lift and carry refuse manually | Back strain, overexertion | Use leg muscles; hold bags close to body; do not overload bags; ask for help on heavy items |
| Load refuse into hopper | Struck by packer, pinch points | Keep hands clear of hopper edges; never reach inside; load from side positions |
| Operate compactor | Crush hazards, hydraulic motion | Ensure all crew are clear before activating; use proper control sequence |
| Handle heavy cans or mixed waste | Strains, crushed fingers | Use team lifts or hand trucks; empty cans without twisting; place cans back safely |
| Work near the roadway | Struck by distracted drivers | Wear Class 3 PPE; face traffic whenever possible; retreat to sidewalk during compactor cycle |
| Backing the truck | Limited visibility, communication failures | Use spotter; maintain radio or hand signals; stop immediately if spotter is not visible |
| Dealing with hazardous or prohibited items | Chemical exposure, sharps injury | Follow hazardous waste protocol; isolate and report suspicious items; never compact unknown materials |
| Work in extreme weather | Heat stress, cold stress, icy surfaces | Take hydration or warming breaks; use traction cleats in winter; slow down in rain or snow |
| Riding rear steps (if permitted) | Falls, sudden movements | Only ride steps where policies allow; use both hands to hold on; do not ride during backing |
| Reenter cab | Slips on steps, clothing snagging | Maintain three points of contact; clean snow or mud from boots |
| End of route cleanup | Sharp debris, contamination | Sweep small debris; clean hopper tools; wash hands and disinfect if needed |
| Post trip inspection | Undetected truck damage | Inspect truck for leaks, broken lights, or damage; report and log issues |
High visibility vest or jacket (Class 3 recommended)
Steel toe boots
Cut resistant work gloves
Safety glasses
Hearing protection near compactors
Weather appropriate clothing
Respiratory protection if exposed to dust or strong odors (as required by policy)
Never lift items that exceed safe lifting limits; use mechanical aids whenever possible.
Establish clear communication between crew members before and during every stop.
Assume every bag contains sharp objects; never compress bags by hand or against body.
Children often approach garbage trucks; maintain constant situational awareness in residential areas.
Do not rush. Most injuries in manual collection come from haste and poor lifting posture.