By Jessica Cearfoss / RouteSmart
Waste collection remains one of the most dangerous jobs in public service. The industry ranks as the fourth most dangerous occupation in the U.S. with a fatality rate of 41.4 per 100,000 workers, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data released late last year. It does not have to be that way鈥攁nd industry advocates are working hard to reverse this troubling trend.
The leading cause of death among these essential workers remains transportation issues, whether that is a hauler crossing to the wrong side of the street or making dangerous maneuvers in a 16-ton vehicle.
Fortunately, many of these risks can be minimized in the route planning process. For more than 17 years, I have helped municipalities and private haulers design route plans that are not only efficient, but safe. Based on my work with these organizations, following are four common mistakes that put collection crews at risk, and how to prevent them.
Mistake #1: Prioritizing Efficiency Over Safety
It is tempting to build route plans with maximum stops per hour in mind. But squeezing in a few extra stops can come at the cost of safety. When routes are designed purely around speed or distance, they often force crews into situations that are high-risk鈥攍ike making turns across traffic or operating in high-speed corridors.
Instead, prioritize routing patterns that keep vehicles on lower-speed roads, limit hazardous turns, and reduce the number of mid-block crossings. Efficiency still matters鈥攂ut not at the expense of sending someone into harm鈥檚 way.
Mistake #2: Overlooking Road Characteristics
Not all roads are created equal. Narrow streets, sharp curves, blind hills, and poor lighting conditions make maneuvering large vehicles far more dangerous鈥攅specially when you factor in parked cars or low-hanging branches.
As a best practice, build route intelligence into your planning process by flagging roads that are problematic for your fleet. When I work with clients, I encourage them to think about more than just the map. Think about what your driver sees and experiences on the ground.
Collaborating with drivers to update this information over time can make a big difference鈥攖hey know the streets better than anyone.
Mistake #3: Routing Through High-Risk Areas at the Wrong Times
Certain areas鈥攕chool zones, business districts, pedestrian corridors鈥攔equire more caution during peak hours. Yet too often, these time-sensitive considerations are overlooked in the planning process.
By analyzing collection times in relation to pedestrian traffic or local event schedules, you can redesign routes to avoid unnecessary exposure. For example, shifting service in a school zone by 30 minutes could mean the difference between working during school drop-off chaos or in a much quieter window.
Mistake #4: Overloading Individual Routes
A fatigued crew is a risky crew. Overly long or complex routes can wear down drivers and helpers alike, leading to rushed decisions, missed hazards, or lapses in focus by the end of the shift.
Balanced workloads are essential鈥攏ot just for performance, but also for safety. Route fatigue is real and it is one of the most preventable risks in our industry. Use performance data to identify overburdened routes and redistribute stops where possible. It is a simple adjustment that can help avoid more serious consequences later.
Final Thoughts
Safety starts with design. When we are intentional about how we build our routes鈥攏ot just where they go, but when, how, and under what conditions鈥攚e take a major step toward protecting our people.
Public works professionals are constantly balancing limited budgets, growing demands, and public expectations. But safety is not a luxury. It is the foundation that allows everything else to work. And it starts with the routes we send our teams on every single day. | WA
Jessica Cearfoss is a Senior Business Development Manager for RouteSmart Technologies. For more information, visit .