From selecting the right trailer and securing loads, to maintaining equipment, and following disposal protocols, implementing best practices ensures that waste is hauled safely and efficiently.
By Chad Oldenkamp
Operators are increasingly focused on enhancing the safety of their waste hauling operations to protect workers, reduce accidents, and ensure compliance with industry regulations. Transporting waste鈥攕uch as fly ash, refuse, byproducts from wastewater treatment and coal-fired electric plants, hazardous substances, and recyclables鈥攚ith trailers requires careful planning, adherence to regulations, and a strong focus on safety and environmental responsibility. Improper handling of waste can lead to spills, contamination, and legal consequences.
Implementing best practices鈥攆rom selecting the right trailer and securing loads, to maintaining equipment and following disposal protocols鈥攅nsures that waste is hauled safely and efficiently.
#1: Secure Your Load
It is a significant concern for the waste industry when semi-liquids leak from a trailer, as no company wants to be subject to fines. Due to their back gates, end dump trailers often cannot be completely sealed and are susceptible to leaks. This spillage is a concern for waste management companies hauling waste cake from wastewater treatment plants, livestock manure, distiller grains from the ethanol industry, fruit processing waste, and other semi-liquid materials.
The best way to avoid spills and leaks is to use a trailer designed to haul wet loads. Select a trailer that has watertight seals, a solid floor, and minimal gaps for waste to seep through. Many operators also find trailer liners and sealed tarp systems useful to help reinforce watertight tubs and reduce wear on the trailer. Depending on the material being hauled, or state mandates, a tarp is often a requirement. There are many materials to choose from, and care must be taken to select the right option for the materials being hauled.
#2: Train Drivers to Dump with Stability
End dumps can reach 40 feet in the air when the trailer is lifted and are thus susceptible to tipping over in high winds, or when positioned on uneven ground. What鈥檚 more, they are often backed into dump sites, increasing potential risk for worker injury. The National Safety Council estimates that one out of every four vehicle accidents occur while backing up. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration鈥檚 鈥淔atality and Injury Statistics in Non-Traffic crashes, 2016 鈥� 2020 Traffic Safety Facts鈥� published February 2023, there were 1,320 non-occupant fatalities and 57,961 injuries that occurred from backing vehicles during that time.
One way to mitigate the dangers of unevenly distributed loads or tipping on uneven ground is by implementing additional driver training. Drivers and equipment operators must be taught proper dumping procedures, including safe approaches to dumping platforms, understanding the limitations of their equipment and using stabilizing systems when available. Regular safety briefings and hands-on refreshers help reinforce best practices, reduce human error, and promote a culture of safety throughout the organization.
#3: Stay in the Cab
Driver injuries are another safety concern. If operators exit the cab to manually release or secure the tailgate, they are exposed to several hazards, including slips and falls. This is especially true in wet/icy, uneven or debris-covered areas common to job sites. Operators are also at risk of accidents with other vehicles or equipment on the job site, particularly on low-visibility or busy sites. When exiting is necessary, operators should take care to follow all proper procedures, such as locking out controls and taking site-specific precautions.
#4: Choose Durable Equipment
Different trailers have traits specific to their designs, each to help them flourish at specific tasks. When selecting the right trailer, material flexibility, load capacity, and hauling location all need to be considered. A trailer built to transport concrete recycling is likely not the same trailer you would use for agricultural, green, or food waste. Talk with your dealer or manufacturer鈥檚 representative so they fully understand your ultimate objectives and can recommend the trailer best designed for your operations.
Operators can further ensure equipment durability by performing regular preventative maintenance on their trailers. Properly maintained equipment always runs safer and more efficiently than neglected equipment. Make sure the hydraulic systems and dump bodies are inspected regularly, and any issues are taken care of quickly to avoid unnecessary leaks and prevent damage to the trailer.
#5: Dump More Efficiently
It is best to coordinate dump site layout with traffic flow and load scheduling. Designated one-way routes with clear signage help eliminate delays. To improve dumping efficiency, it is important to properly plan dump sites in ways that allow operators to take advantage of the speed at which trailers can operate, as well as how they dump. Designating enough space to allow operators to stockpile or windrow at the dump site, rather than having to back in, allows drivers to dump their load and be on their way in as little as 45 seconds.
A Shift in Waste Hauling
As more companies look for alternatives to support these best practices, a growing number have discovered the side dump trailer. Side dumps were initially designed to meet the Federal Bridge Formula, eliminate dangerous tip-overs, and increase efficiency and safety. As side dump trailers roll into just about every industry and prove their value, they are helping to make these important best practices a reality.
Unlike other trailer types, side dump trailers mitigate spillage and are watertight by design. Side dumps also offer greater stability and are renowned for their ability to dump on soft and uneven ground. They offer no-touch unloading, meaning the driver never has to leave the cab to dump a load. This dump versatility allows operators (with some trailer models) to dump to either side and either windrow or stockpile, so that they never have to risk backing into a low-visibility job site.
Moving floor trailers and pusher trailers take longer to dump their loads and can be difficult to navigate. In contrast, side dumps offer significantly faster dump cycles. It only takes seconds to dump a load, and under the right conditions the driver only needs to slow down鈥攏ot stop鈥攖o dump the load. These faster cycle times increase profitability by allowing each driver to haul more loads in a given day.
If you are looking for a trailer option to give your company greater hauling flexibility and increased safety while providing an excellent return on investment, consider a side dump trailer. They are ideal for today鈥檚 sophisticated waste and recycling hauling operations. | WA
Chad Oldenkamp is a District Sales Manager at SmithCo Mfg., Inc., headquartered in Le Mars, IA. He has more than three decades of side dump sales experience and uses this knowledge to help companies determine the right trailer for their unique needs. Chad can be reached at [email protected].