Falls from waste trucks and from mobile equipment such as loaders and excavators are a significant problem in the waste and recycling industry. The injuries sustained in these falls result in millions of dollars worth of workers’ compensation claims being paid out each year. Some of these falls, particularly those from the top of a waste truck or off the back of a moving waste truck, have led to permanent paralysis or death of the worker involved. Even minor falls while climbing onto or off of a waste truck or piece of equipment that only result in a sprained ankle or twisted knee will still result in medical expenses being paid and an employee being unavailable to work for a period of time.

In order to reduce falls from vehicles and equipment it is important to look at the four situations where these falls are most likely to occur. These situations are: 1) Falls while climbing into or getting out of the cab of a truck or piece of equipment; 2) Falls of collection employees who are riding on the outside of a moving truck; 3) Falls from a roll-off truck or transfer trailer while tarping or adjusting the load; and 4) Falls from the top of a compaction truck while cleaning or performing maintenance. Often, in all four of these situations, the falls are a result of not following basic safety rules, inadequate supervision or employee complacency.