Working outdoors in the heat is unavoidable, but employers like the Dallas Sanitation Department are taking steps to ensure their employees stay healthy.
“This year, we introduced wellness coaches to conduct workplace ergonomics classes tailored for this type of work,” said Clifton Gillespie, Director of the Dallas Department of Sanitation. “They teach appropriate stretches and postures suited to their duties.”
Gillespie noted that the department employs around 500 city workers and hires over 200 temporary laborers, with at least 170 assigned to work on the backs of trash trucks.
“Our rear-load trucks, which have two helpers working on the back, are most affected by the heat since those crews are exposed to it all day,” Gillespie said.
He added that their job is demanding due to its volume.
“There are 156 daily routes for garbage and recycling collections, totaling about 100,000 stops each day. With approximately 258,000 customers, that means roughly 500,000 stops every week,” Gillespie explained.
To manage the high temperatures, schedules and routines are adjusted during summer.
“We try to start work by 7:00 a.m.,” Gillespie said. “Typically, crews have two rest breaks a day, but in the summer, we increase that to four breaks. We also ensure that crews with helpers have the chance to cool down in the truck’s AC.”
These measures are part of the “100 Days of Summer Safety” initiative, which began in June. The initiative aims to keep crews hydrated and prevent heat stress.
A calendar in the department’s lobby tracks the days without heat-related incidents. As of August 1, nearly 60 dots mark incident-free days, while two red dots reflect reported heat-related issues.
“So far, we’ve had just two minor cases of heat exhaustion,” Gillespie said. “The goal is zero heat-related injuries, and fortunately, no hospitalizations were required.”
This summer marks the second season that field crews are provided with lightweight t-shirts as an alternative to their usual button-down shirts, along with high-visibility bucket hats and cooling towels.
“We also ensure they have ample ice and hydrating drinks throughout the day,” Gillespie said.
Looking ahead, Gillespie hopes to increase the number of automated trucks in their fleet.
“Automated trucks, operated by just one driver with an automated arm for collection, keep employees in an air-conditioned environment all day,” he said. “This is a safer and more efficient way to handle the work, and we aim to see more of these trucks in the future.”
