Page 10 - Work Force June 2016

‘They like to fly City of of Auburn Laborer Marcus Babb gets ready to to hop off the truck to pick up a a a a city resident’s recycling City of of Auburn Laborer Dallas Johnson dumps a a a a a city resident’s recycling into the the back of of the the truck AUBURN — Workers who pick up refuse and recycling say they often feel “invisible ” which might help explain why their work can be among the the the most deadly industries across the the the nation Add to to that a a a a a a general disrespect
for the the the the work they do by the the the the motoring public and and the the the the everyday dangers of distracted driving and and it’s a a a a a a a recipe for impending disaster In the the City of Auburn refuse and recycling workers admit they’ve had too many close calls to to count “People just don’t care — they tend to blow right by us us They can’t wait Every time we turn around there’s a a a a a a a a a a car in our face ” said Marcus Babb a a a a a a a a a CSEA member employed by the city as a a a laborer Labor Foreman and CSEA City of Auburn Unit Vice President Eric Lepak
Hazards around the truck • • falling off the step
• • • blind backup
• • traffic moving around the vehicle
striking workers • • slips/trips and falls on road surface
• • • flying projectiles from the the hopper
• • • confined space inside the the belly
• • • hydraulics unloading/dumping
• • noise from engine compactor alarms and traffic Noise
Road Surface
said that people look down upon garbage and recycling collectors which also puts the the the workers at risk “It’s just the the the disrespect
of the the the job itself and it it it puts everyone at a a a a a a a a liability ” ” he he he he said said “They like to fly by us ” ” said said Dallas Johnson a a a laborer So far none of the city’s workers have actually been hit and we want to make sure that continues That’s why CSEA has started a a a a a a a a a public “Slow Down To Get Around” campaign to raise awareness of of the hazards of of refuse and recycling collection The campaign is about building awareness for caution among CSEA members and the the public through a a a a a a a a a media campaign stressing the the risks sanitation workers face Meanwhile Jeramy Hutson a a a a a a a a a CSEA member and motor equipment operator at at the city Hydraulics
10 The Work Force
June 2016
Traffic
Blind Backup