As a former owner of a portable sanitation company, I know that a large part of the portable sanitation business is seasonal. Most PROs earn the majority of their annual income during a few short months of the year. During this extremely busy time, successful operators do whatever it takes to get the job done.
Owners and employees know they have to complete work on a very tight schedule. If they don’t, a competitor will. This stressful business condition is the reality for a PRO. Having such harsh demands can cause an operator to sacrifice safety in the interest of time.
Many areas should be addressed when dealing with safety. A top to bottom, companywide safety assessment takes time, though, and a luxury you don’t have during the busy season. Based on my experience as an operator, a few critical areas may be affordably and easily addressed during this time: safe transportation of units, availability and use of proper equipment, and avoiding fatigue. By addressing these three key areas, you can have a positive impact on your company’s safety record and your employees’ well-being.
SAFE TRANSPORTATION
You’re trailer is loaded, you have your schedule and your route; it’s time to hit the road. Right? No, it’s time to double-check that your restrooms are properly secured. Even though the yard person has been working with you for years, and has always done an outstanding job, the driver is the one responsible if a portable restroom goes airborne during rush hour.
Take a few extra minutes to walk around the trailer and do a quick, but thorough, inspection. Good straps are a great investment. Don’t cut corners. Be sure you’re using at least two 3-inch straps around the units. Throw away worn straps and the old ropes. Don’t even keep them as a backup. If you’re the one loading, go around and double-check the straps and the trailer locking mechanisms. Better safe than sorry.
After you get the units to the site, don’t be a tough guy and horse them around by hand. Use a wheeled cart to maneuver them on location. A sore or injured back can put you out of work. The few extra minutes you gain by toughing it out could cost you a lot more if you suffer an injury.
PROPER EQUIPMENT
Having the proper safety equipment — including gloves, goggles, steel-toe boots, grabbers and safety kits readily available and mandatory to use — will help reduce hazards. We all know it doesn’t take long for a pair of gloves to get really dirty. Have plenty of clean gloves available. The technicians will be much more inclined to keep them on if they are dry and clean.
Eye injuries are easy to avoid if you have protective goggles. They are inexpensive and don’t take up much space, so keep an extra pair in the truck. In hot weather, nobody wants to wear steel-toe boots. But you should include safe work boots in your safety policy. The policy must be communicated and enforced. This isn’t unreasonable; many industries require this. The key is communication.
When cleaning out the restroom tank, it’s not uncommon to find foreign objects like cans or golf balls. Providing a safe way for operators to retrieve them is a good idea. You’ve spent thousands of dollars on a truck, why not equip it with a $4 grabber? Additionally, a five-gallon bucket and lid work great for sealing up contaminated items.
Even though you’ve put new safety rules and policies in place, be prepared in case an accident occurs. Keep an extra pair of clothes in the truck should your clothes get contaminated. Safety kits are affordable and readily available. Keep a wash kit, eyewash kit and first-aid kit in each truck. Being prepared will save you time and money and the operator’s well-being.
ELIMINATE FATIGUE
A plan to avoid fatigue is vital. Proper diet and hydration goes a long way in fighting fatigue. If you’re sweating a lot, you need to replenish those fluids. Water should be readily available. Don’t wait until you’re thirsty. Thirst is not always a good barometer for hydration needs. Medications or illness can prevent you from feeling thirsty. Add an insulated water jug to the list of equipment that goes out on the truck.
Encourage and remind employees to eat healthy, not to skip meals and to drink plenty of water. Our company’s human resources department sends out health and wellness tips to the entire staff on a weekly basis. This works very well. It’s a simple thing to do, and it gets people thinking.
Don’t forget about the sun. There are three simple things you can do to protect yourself from the sun’s harmful rays: Wear light-colored clothing to reflect the sun’s rays, use sunscreen to prevent burning, and wear a hat to keep the sun off your head and face.
START NOW
While a comprehensive safety policy may take too much time to develop during the busy season, addressing these areas can go a long way in preventing accidents and ensuring the health and well-being of your staff.
