Solid waste haulers rank third on the list of the riskiest jobs in the United States, according to a study by the Florida Center for Solid and Hazardous Waste Management, Miami, and the University of Miami. Averaging 90 deaths annually per 100,000 workers, collection falls behind fishing, with 178 deaths, and timber cutting, with 156. The high number of deaths can be attributed partly to impatient drivers, who try to pass stopped garbage collection vehicles and end up hitting collectors, while some of those deaths are the result of chemicals being placed in containers that burst on collectors when compressed.

The injury rate is also staggering, according to the study. Collectors, on average, are injured five to seven times more than the average worker, with 52.7 injuries per 100 workers. Most of those are back injuries and lacerations, so be considerate to not put out overweight containers and to enclose sharp objects, such as broken glass, in such a way as to minimize the possibility of workers being cut.

Never throw household products containing toxic chemicals like pesticides, oil based paint, antifreeze, solvents, cleaning chemicals, weed killers, batteries, or used motor oil into your trash. These items can injure workers, or result in fires inside trucks when mixed with chemicals that others have disposed of improperly. It is also not safe to dispose of chemicals, oils, or paints into house drains or sewers, as they end up in the environment, polluting the air, water, or soil.

Instead of placing these items in the trash, or down the drain, call your local environmental health agency for disposal guidelines and services at 610.559.3200.

For those with used motor oil, AutoZone, located across from McDonalds, on 25th street in Easton, provides free disposal. Simply bring your own Wedco Oil Drain Pan. with you, pour it into their holding tank, and repeat when needed.