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The Overall System - from generation to disposal::
Safety:
Preventing Worker Injuries and Deaths From Moving Refuse Collection Vehicles
Copied from DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 97-110
Take the following steps to protect yourself from injury when riding on or working near refuse collection vehicles:
1. Observe safe backing procedures.
Drivers should do the following:
• Stop backing immediately if visual contact is lost with workers on foot.
• Resume backing only when visual contact is restored with workers on foot.
• Use a coworker as a spotter.
• Use agreedupon hand signals to communicate with the spotter.
Other crew members should do the following:
• Step off the riding steps before the driver begins to back.
• Remain inside the vehicle cab unless needed to act as a spotter.
• Never cross or step behind the vehicle when it is backing or when its backup lights are on.
Spotters should do the following:
• Remain visible in the driver’s mirrors.
• Maintain a clear view of the hazard area (driver’s blind spot) behind the vehicle.
• Stay clear of the vehicle’s path.
• Avoid walking backward.
• Use agreedupon hand signals to communicate with the driver.
• Be sure that no one is on the riding steps or behind the vehicle before signaling the driver to start backing.
• Immediately signal the driver to stop if any person or object enters the area behind thetruck.
• Signal the driver to stop if the spotter must change positions when the vehicle is backing.
2. Observe safe riding procedures.
Refuse collectors should do the following:
• Ride in the cab or a separate vehicle when not on the collection route.
• Use riding steps only when the vehicle is moving forward for short distances (0.2 mile or less) at slow speeds (10 miles per hour or less).
• After the vehicle has stopped, step—do not jump—on or off riding steps.
• Wear slipresistant footwear and avoid narrow cleats or spikes.
• Be extremely observant of the driver’s blind spot behind the vehicle.
Drivers should do the following:
• Wait for step riders to signal before putting the vehicle in motion.
• Avoid sudden stops that could cause riders to be thrown from the steps.
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