Staying Safe Around Moving Trucks: Traffic Hazards for Waste Collection Workers

Traffic Hazards for Waste Collection Workers

Waste collection is one of the most dangerous jobs in the service sector. Crews spend hours working in close proximity to moving trucks, traffic, and unpredictable road conditions.

Addressing traffic hazards for waste collection workers is essential to reducing injuries and saving lives.

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Why Traffic Hazards Are a Serious Threat

According to NIOSH, solid waste collection ranks among the most dangerous occupations in North America. The primary cause of fatalities?

Being struck by a vehicle—either the garbage truck itself or passing motorists.

Key risk factors include:

• Limited visibility in truck blind spots.
• Frequent stops on busy roads.
• Workers riding or walking near moving trucks.
• Distracted drivers failing to notice collection crews.

Without strict OHSE controls, these hazards can lead to fatal accidents.

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Understanding Truck Blind Spots

Garbage trucks have significant blind spots around the front, sides, and rear. Workers walking too close risk being struck when the vehicle moves.

Best practices:

• Train workers on blind spot zones.
• Install wide-angle mirrors, cameras, and proximity sensors on trucks.
• Require eye contact or radio confirmation with drivers before approaching.

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Roadside Traffic Hazards

Collection often occurs on narrow streets, highways, or residential areas during peak traffic hours. Passing motorists pose a constant danger.

Control measures:

• Use high-visibility vests and reflective PPE at all times.
• Deploy traffic cones, hazard lights, and signage around collection zones.
• Schedule routes during off-peak hours when possible.
• Partner with local authorities on community awareness campaigns.

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Safe Riding and Positioning Practices

Workers often ride on truck steps or walk alongside moving vehicles. This creates hazards from sudden starts, stops, or turns.

Safety tips:

• Never ride on truck steps when the vehicle is moving faster than 10 km/h.
• Always keep three points of contact (hands and feet) when riding steps.
• Stay clear of the rear compactor area unless the truck is fully stopped.
• Maintain a safe walking distance from moving trucks.

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Communication Between Crew and Drivers

Many accidents occur due to miscommunication. A driver may assume a worker is clear of the truck when they’re not.

Preventive measures:

• Use two-way radios or headsets for constant communication.
• Develop hand signals for clear, quick instructions.
• Require drivers to perform a 360-degree check before moving.

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PPE and Visibility in Traffic Zones

Personal protective equipment (PPE) is critical for visibility and protection.

Recommended PPE includes:

• High-visibility reflective vests or jackets (ANSI/ISEA 107-compliant).
• Steel-toed boots with slip-resistant soles.
• Gloves for grip and hand protection.
• Hard hats for urban collection areas with overhead risks.

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Case Study: A Preventable Tragedy

In 2022, a waste collector in the U.S. was fatally struck when stepping off the rear truck platform into traffic. Investigators found inadequate crew-driver communication and no reflective PPE in use.

This highlights the need for systemic traffic safety training and consistent PPE compliance.

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Employer Responsibilities

Employers have a duty to minimize traffic hazards for waste collection workers by:

• Conducting hazard assessments for each route.
• Providing ongoing driver and crew training.
• Equipping trucks with rear-view cameras, reflective markings, and audible alarms.
• Establishing clear SOPs for roadside collection tasks.

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Building a Safety Culture

Safety culture is as important as equipment. Crews should:

• Hold daily toolbox talks on route hazards.
• Share near-miss reports without fear of blame.
• Rotate tasks to avoid fatigue.
• Support each other by watching for unsafe road situations.

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Traffic Hazard Safety Measures Table

Hazard	Risk to Workers	Best Practices / Controls
Truck Blind Spots	Workers struck when driver can’t see them	Train crews on blind spot zones, install mirrors/cameras, confirm eye contact before approach
Passing Road Traffic	Hit by oncoming or overtaking vehicles	High-vis PPE, cones/signage, hazard lights, off-peak route scheduling
Riding on Truck Steps	Falls, run-overs, crushing injuries	Only ride at slow speeds (<10 km/h), maintain 3 points of contact, never jump off moving truck
Walking Near Moving Truck	Struck or pinned between truck and obstacles	Stay clear of moving trucks, walk on driver-visible side, keep safe distance
Rear Compactor Area	Crushing or entanglement	Only approach when truck is fully stopped, never enter compactor zone
Poor Communication	Driver moves while worker is in danger	Use radios or hand signals, enforce 360° walk-around checks, driver-crew coordination
Low Visibility (Night/Weather)	Increased risk of traffic collisions	Reflective vests/jackets, truck lighting, flashing beacons, weather-specific adjustments

Conclusion

Traffic hazards are the most significant risk facing garbage collection crews. By addressing truck blind spots, roadside traffic, riding practices, and communication, employers can reduce injuries and fatalities.

The key to survival on the streets is visibility, vigilance, and teamwork. Waste collection workers deserve protection as much as they provide it to the community by keeping environments clean.

For more workplace safety resources, visit OHSE.ca.