Purchasing new sanitation vehicles gives municipalities a valuable opportunity to improve not only operational efficiency, but also enhance safety for their workers and the general public. Sanitation and waste collection are inherently hazardous activities, with risks ranging from minor injuries and environmental exposures to vehicle accidents and large-scale fires.
Understanding exposures
Waste collection and sanitation operations can take place in dense urban areas, residential neighborhoods, narrow alleys and tight side streets. Workers are exposed to varied weather and lighting conditions, moving traffic as well as parked vehicles, large equipment, and environmental hazards.
Operating in these conditions pose the risk of injuries to employees and the public as well as potential liability exposures. For cities to address these concerns proactively, they should strategically select trucks and equipment that have risk management mechanisms in place to protect employees and reduce liability exposures.
Options for safeguarding sanitation trucks
Technological advancements have allowed for substantial safety improvements for sanitation truck operation. Here are several optional safeguards to consider:
- Surround-view camera systems: Camera systems can allow for full viewing of the truck’s surroundings without needing to exit the vehicle. While it is still encouraged to use a spotter, cameras are a great way to give the operator more situational awareness in tricky scenarios.
- Fire suppression systems: Sanitation trucks have a high possibility of catching fire because of the hydraulic components and the nature of the job — for example, crushing and combusting a lithium ion battery. Automatic fire suppression systems can be added to sanitation trucks if they are not already installed.
- Proximity sensors and backup alarms: Proximity sensors can be used as a detection system to warn the driver of items or people in its path and can trigger those automatic braking mechanisms. These sensors can also prevent sanitation trucks from moving forward when the hydraulic arm is in an unsafe position. Backup alarms can significantly improve awareness of those in the area that the sanitation truck is reversing and has limited visibility.
- Automatic braking systems: These systems, specifically automatic reverse braking systems, are increasingly being integrated into sanitation vehicles. They are designed to help prevent accident by automatically applying the brakes when the vehicle is backing up and detects an obstacle.
- Ergonomic lifting and dumping mechanisms: Automated arms and hydraulic lifts can reduce the risk of employee injuries among sanitation workers. These features significantly limit the need for manual lifting, twisting and bending.
- Enhanced lighting and reflective striping: Equipping sanitation trucks with bright LED lighting and reflective striping can help illuminate the truck’s appearance and make the truck more visible to those around it.
- In-cab monitoring and telematics: Telematics systems can assist leadership in monitoring an employee’s driving behaviors, identifying coaching opportunities before a loss occurs.
Selecting the correct features when purchasing a sanitation truck is a critical opportunity to invest in the safety of municipal workers and the public, all while protecting the municipality’s assets. By prioritizing safeguards such as automated braking, ergonomic systems and enhanced visibility features, municipalities can significantly improve employee safety while reducing risk exposures, supporting long-term safety and risk management goals.
For questions about safeguarding sanitation vehicles, contact the Municipal Association Risk Management Services Loss Control staff at losscontrol@masc.sc.