| Step | Potential Hazard | Control |
|---|---|---|
| Set up HHW collection area | Vehicle traffic, poor signage, mix of incompatible materials | Establish traffic flow; use cones and signage; create segregation zones for flammables, corrosives, batteries, and electronics |
| Don required PPE | Chemical splash, fumes, foot injuries | Wear chemical resistant gloves, safety glasses or face shield, boots, and protective clothing |
| Greet and direct customers | Vehicle movement hazards, poor visibility | Remain visible; stand clear of approaching vehicles; instruct customers to stay in vehicles when possible |
| Assess materials in vehicle | Unknown chemicals, leaking containers | Ask customer for identification of items; visually inspect for leaks; isolate suspicious containers |
| Remove items from vehicle | Splashes, heavy lifting, broken containers | Lift carefully; avoid tilting containers; use two person lifts when needed; place items in spill trays or secondary containment |
| Sort materials into categories | Chemical reactions, incompatible storage | Keep acids away from bases; segregate flammables, oxidizers, and corrosives; separate propane cylinders and aerosols |
| Handle leaking, corroded, or unlabeled containers | Toxic exposure, chemical burns | Overpack into larger containers; label as unknown; move to designated isolation zone; consult trained lead worker |
| Transfer liquids if required | Spills, fumes, splash hazards | Only trained personnel should transfer chemicals; use funnels and absorbent pads; perform outdoors with ventilation |
| Handle batteries | Short circuit, fire risk | Tape terminals on lithium and lead acid batteries; store upright; keep in designated fire resistant containers |
| Handle fluorescent lamps | Mercury exposure, glass cuts | Use lamp boxes; avoid breaking tubes; if breakage occurs, ventilate and use HEPA vacuum per policy |
| Store filled containers | Overfilling, tipping hazards | Secure lids; label containers; keep in shaded well ventilated storage; avoid stacking incompatible materials |
| Respond to spills | Toxic exposure, slip hazards | Use spill kit; apply absorbent material; isolate area; notify supervisor; dispose of cleanup waste properly |
| Interact with public | Distractions, misunderstandings | Provide clear instructions; prohibit smoking within HHW area; keep non essential personnel out of work area |
| Load packaged HHW for shipment | Heavy lifting, container rupture | Use pallet jack or forklift if trained; secure loads; maintain stable pallets |
| End of event cleanup | Residual contamination, sharp debris | Remove absorbents, wipe surfaces, package PPE for disposal, and wash hands thoroughly |
| Document materials received | Missing records, regulatory non compliance | Record quantities and categories; follow state mandates for HHW reporting |
High visibility vest or jacket
Chemical resistant gloves (nitrile or neoprene)
Safety glasses or face shield
Steel toe boots
Long pants and long sleeves
Disposable coveralls for high risk spills
Respirator if fumes, aerosols, or dusts are present (as required by policy)
Always have a complete, well-stocked first aid kit available.
JSA Category: Solid Waste and Recycling Operations
* The steps, hazards, and controls displayed above may be incomplete or not suit your department's needs. All job safety analyses should be a completed with frontline worker input to ensure that each potential hazard is identified and mitigated.
Please read about The Essentials Elements of a Solid Job Safety Anaylsis here.
Thank you to our primary sponsor, Roadwurx, which is a simple asset management platform for small public works and road departments.
| Step | Potential Hazard | Control |
|---|---|---|
| Set up HHW collection area | Vehicle traffic, poor signage, mix of incompatible materials | Establish traffic flow; use cones and signage; create segregation zones for flammables, corrosives, batteries, and electronics |
| Don required PPE | Chemical splash, fumes, foot injuries | Wear chemical resistant gloves, safety glasses or face shield, boots, and protective clothing |
| Greet and direct customers | Vehicle movement hazards, poor visibility | Remain visible; stand clear of approaching vehicles; instruct customers to stay in vehicles when possible |
| Assess materials in vehicle | Unknown chemicals, leaking containers | Ask customer for identification of items; visually inspect for leaks; isolate suspicious containers |
| Remove items from vehicle | Splashes, heavy lifting, broken containers | Lift carefully; avoid tilting containers; use two person lifts when needed; place items in spill trays or secondary containment |
| Sort materials into categories | Chemical reactions, incompatible storage | Keep acids away from bases; segregate flammables, oxidizers, and corrosives; separate propane cylinders and aerosols |
| Handle leaking, corroded, or unlabeled containers | Toxic exposure, chemical burns | Overpack into larger containers; label as unknown; move to designated isolation zone; consult trained lead worker |
| Transfer liquids if required | Spills, fumes, splash hazards | Only trained personnel should transfer chemicals; use funnels and absorbent pads; perform outdoors with ventilation |
| Handle batteries | Short circuit, fire risk | Tape terminals on lithium and lead acid batteries; store upright; keep in designated fire resistant containers |
| Handle fluorescent lamps | Mercury exposure, glass cuts | Use lamp boxes; avoid breaking tubes; if breakage occurs, ventilate and use HEPA vacuum per policy |
| Store filled containers | Overfilling, tipping hazards | Secure lids; label containers; keep in shaded well ventilated storage; avoid stacking incompatible materials |
| Respond to spills | Toxic exposure, slip hazards | Use spill kit; apply absorbent material; isolate area; notify supervisor; dispose of cleanup waste properly |
| Interact with public | Distractions, misunderstandings | Provide clear instructions; prohibit smoking within HHW area; keep non essential personnel out of work area |
| Load packaged HHW for shipment | Heavy lifting, container rupture | Use pallet jack or forklift if trained; secure loads; maintain stable pallets |
| End of event cleanup | Residual contamination, sharp debris | Remove absorbents, wipe surfaces, package PPE for disposal, and wash hands thoroughly |
| Document materials received | Missing records, regulatory non compliance | Record quantities and categories; follow state mandates for HHW reporting |
High visibility vest or jacket
Chemical resistant gloves (nitrile or neoprene)
Safety glasses or face shield
Steel toe boots
Long pants and long sleeves
Disposable coveralls for high risk spills
Respirator if fumes, aerosols, or dusts are present (as required by policy)