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As a garbage collector, you never know what you’ll come across when you’re at work, especially now that trash collectors have to deal with more household waste during quarantines. There are many ways to get injured on the job when you take care of the garbage. For this reason, it’s important to understand what you should look out for when you’re at work.
Besides knowing what dangers to look out for on the job, you also need to know what to do if you get injured on the job. Understanding your rights and options ahead of time will make a legal case easier for you later on if it comes to that.
Understand Your Worker’s Compensation Rights
You should know your worker’s compensation rights in your state and how to contact a worker’s compensation lawyer should your company refuse to take your claims seriously.
Most workers are eligible for workers’ comp coverage from the first day they start their job, with a few exceptions like federal employees, railroad workers, and longshoremen. Garbage collectors who work for private companies are eligible for coverage, while those who work for cities or municipalities would be covered through FECA.
Workers’ compensation coverage is meant to compensate workers for damages from injuries they received at work, like medical bills and lost wages. The compensation you receive is meant to help you recover until you can return to work, source: https://www.johnfoy.com/georgia-workers-compensation-lawyer/
Safety Hazards on the Job
Every job has different safety hazards, and some jobs are much more dangerous than others. Garbage collectors face unique dangers that many other workers will never encounter. Here is a list of a few safety hazards you need to be aware of when at work:
1. Injury from exposure to hazardous material.
If you’re not using thick gloves, you might touch hazardous materials. For instance, you might touch a broken bottle of bleach or a torn can of pesticide. Any pile of trash that you are hauling could contain all kinds of illegal hazardous materials that you would not expect from residential trash, such as battery acid or hypodermic needles, so be wary of contamination from toxic substances.
2. Injury from foraging animals.
If trash has been out for some time, it’s possible that many types of foraging rodents like rats and mice or large animals like raccoons and bears may have climbed into the dumpster for a quick meal. Contact with any of these animals could be dangerous because bites or scratches can cause serious diseases like rabies.
3. Injury from broken objects.
Many people throw broken objects in the trash that could slash or scratch you, such as broken bottles, light bulbs, or half-opened cans. You might even come across metal blades or auto parts with sharp edges that could slash you.
4. Injury from vehicles.
It’s not uncommon for vehicle-based injuries among garbage collectors. A passing vehicle might strike you in an alley when you are hauling garbage cans into the truck. More often, though, hanging from the rear or side of a garbage truck or trying to climb in and out of their cab could cause injuries. There is also a lot of heavy equipment involved in garbage collection, such as front-end loaders, and this can cause serious harm.
5. Injury from slips and falls.
Garbage collectors work in all kinds of weather, such as rain or ice. You might also have to walk across slick areas when collecting trash. It is essential that you wear the right boots and that you don’t rush your work but do it carefully and deliberately to avoid slipping and falling.
Take Care of Yourself
Although there are many advantages to working as a garbage collector, such as low-stress levels, the ability to maintain good work-life, excellent benefits, and opportunities to get promoted and increase your income, you also have to be aware that the work has some disadvantages. These include working in a dangerous environment where injuries are possible.
While you may work for an excellent company, it’s important to take care of yourself if you file a worker’s compensation claim but find that your company is not taking care of you. An attorney can advise you of your rights under workers’ compensation laws if you are injured.
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This content is brought to you by Charles Britton.
Photo: Shutterstock
