Safety Tips for Garbage Truck Drivers and Garbage Collectors in Illinois

Garbage truck drivers and collectors face several hazards while on the job. Common hazards that garbage truck drivers and collectors face include hazardous materials, traffic accidents, slips, trips, falls, lifting, and falling objects. These hazards can result in severe injuries among garbage truck drivers and garbage collectors. In order to stay safe, garbage truck drivers and collectors should always take safety precautions.

If you work with a garbage collection company, below are some tips to help you stay safe.

Always Wear Appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

You should always wear the appropriate personal protective equipment. When it comes to PPE, you should ensure that the equipment fits properly and meets the set standards. Wearing the appropriate PPE can minimize the risk of injuries. For example, PPE can protect you from injuries caused by falling objects. Examples of recommended PPE for garbage truck drivers and collectors include gloves, head protection, steel-toed boots, and safety glasses or goggles.

Conduct a Thorough Pre-Trip Inspection

Before starting your route, you should take some time to examine your vehicle to ensure everything is in good working condition. Test the garbage truck’s brakes, lights, and other crucial components before hitting the road. Ensure you address any issues you identify promptly.

Drive Cautiously

To reduce the risk of traffic accidents, you should drive cautiously. Stay within the posted speed limit. During inclement weather, adjust your speed accordingly. Ensure you obey all traffic lights and signals. Additionally, you should be aware of motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians and always yield the right of way.

Stay Visible

Always wear bright, reflective clothing to make it easy for other drivers to spot you. This is especially important when you are working at night or in low-light conditions.

Stay Aware of Your Surroundings

Be aware of your surroundings when picking up garbage. Watch out for hazardous materials when picking up garbage and falling objects. Additionally, as the driver, constantly monitor the road so you can spot danger on time.

Use Proper Lifting Techniques

When lifting bins or containers, ensure you use proper lifting techniques. Some proper lifting techniques you should embrace include bending at the hips and knees and avoiding bending at the waist, gripping the load properly before lifting, avoiding twisting your body when lifting, avoiding jerking movements, and lifting bulky items as a team.

Be Careful When Working Near Traffic

Exercise caution when working near traffic. This includes using traffic cones or other warning signs to alert other motorists of your presence. Additionally, you should be cautious when exiting or entering a roadway.

Take Breaks

Finally, it is crucial that you take regular breaks. This can help prevent fatigue, which can, in turn, prevent fatigued driving. Fatigued driving can result in accidents. Research says that drowsy driving can be just as dangerous as driving while drunk.

Legal Help Is Available

Sometimes, even if you take all the necessary precautions, you can still suffer injuries. If you suffer an injury while working as a garbage truck driver or garbage collector in Illinois, contact our qualified Chicago workers’ compensation lawyer at Connolly Injury Law for legal help.