In the waste industry where conditions are harsher, risk is amplified. By reinforcing proper technique, maintaining equipment access points, and building a culture that values safe transitions as much as safe operation, organizations can significantly reduce preventable injuries and keep their operators healthy and productive on the job.
By Clay Layne
In the waste industry, heavy equipment operators face a daily mix of hazards: moving trucks, uneven terrain, unpredictable waste streams, and constant machine interaction. Yet one of the most frequent sources of injuries is also one of the most mundane鈥攇etting on and off the machine. Mounting and dismounting incidents consistently rank among the top causes of strains, sprains, slips, and falls for equipment operators across industrial sectors. While national datasets do not isolate a precise percentage for the waste industry alone, safety agencies repeatedly emphasize that falls from equipment鈥攎any of which occur during mounting and dismounting鈥攔epresent a major portion of nonfatal injuries involving contact with machinery.
For waste operations, where equipment is exposed to mud, moisture, debris, and constant vibration, the risk is even higher. A simple misstep can sideline an operator for days, weeks, or longer, impacting productivity, staffing, and safety culture.
Why this Issue is So Prevalent
Heavy equipment in transfer stations and landfills operates in some of the harshest conditions of any industrial environment. Surfaces are rarely clean. Steps accumulate mud, grease, and residue or trash juice. Handholds may be worn, obstructed, loose and even broken off. Operators often climb in and out dozens of times per shift鈥攄uring inspections, fueling, breaks, and task changes. Each transition is a moment of vulnerability.
Several factors make mounting and dismounting particularly hazardous in waste operations:
- Contaminated walking surfaces: 91仓库 residue, moisture, and hydraulic fluid create slick steps and platforms.
- High-frequency entry and exit: Operators of skid steers, wheel loaders, and compactors may dismount far more often than operators in other industries.
- Fatigue and pace of work: Transfer stations and landfills operate under tight schedules, increasing the temptation to rush.
- Machine design variability: Different equipment types have different step heights, handhold placements, and cab access points.
- Environmental unpredictability: Landfill slopes, uneven ground, and weather conditions amplify slip and fall risks.
These factors combine to make mounting and dismounting one of the most deceptively dangerous tasks in the waste industry.
The 鈥淭hree Points of Contact鈥� Principle
The foundation of safe mounting and dismounting is the three points of contact rule: at any moment, the operator must maintain two hands and one foot, or two feet and one hand, in contact with the machine. The operator should not have anything in hands using this method. This simple technique dramatically reduces the likelihood of slips and falls. Yet many injuries occur because operators:
鈥� Jump from equipment instead of climbing down
鈥� Carry tools, radios, or lunch boxes in their hands
鈥� Face outward instead of toward the machine
鈥� Skip steps or handholds
鈥� Use hydraulic lines or door frames as makeshift supports
Reinforcing proper technique is one of the most effective ways to reduce preventable injuries.
Equipment-Specific Considerations
Each machine type used in waste operations presents unique challenges.
Skid Steers
Compact and frequently entered, skid steers often tempt operators to shortcut the process. Mud buildup on the single front step is common, and operators may carry tools or PPE inside the cab, reducing handhold use.
Wheel Loaders
Wheel loaders sit high off the ground, increasing fall severity. Their ladders and platforms accumulate dust, mud, and grease, especially around articulation points. The ladders can be bent or bottom steps ripped off. The machine would need to be downed and fixed immediately if this were the case.
Excavators
Excavators require careful attention because operators often mount and dismount while the upper structure is rotated. Steps may not align with the tracks, and operators sometimes step onto the track surface itself, which can be slick.
Material Handlers
These machines often have elevated cabs accessed by long ladders. Fatigue, height, and environmental exposure increase the risk of slips.
Landfill Compactors
Compactors operate in the harshest terrain. Their steps and platforms are constantly exposed to wet waste, leachate, and debris, making traction a persistent challenge.
Dozers
Dozers require operators to navigate around blade arms, tracks, and hydraulic components. Mud accumulation on tracks is a major contributor to slip hazards.
Building a Culture That Prevents These Injuries
Reducing mounting and dismounting injuries requires more than telling operators to 鈥渂e careful.鈥� It demands a systematic approach:
- Daily housekeeping: Steps, ladders, and platforms must be cleaned as part of pre- and post-shift inspections.
- Consistent training: Operators should receive hands-on instruction and periodic refreshers on proper techniques.
- Equipment design awareness: Supervisors should match operators with machines they are trained to access safely.
- Footwear standards: Slip-resistant, well-maintained boots significantly reduce fall risk.
- Lighting improvements: Early morning and night operations require adequate illumination around equipment.
- No-jump policies: Jumping from equipment must be treated as a serious safety violation.
The Business Case for Prevention
Even minor mounting/dismounting injuries can have outsized impacts. Strains and sprains often lead to lost-time incidents, restricted duty, or long-term injuries. In an industry already facing labor shortages and high turnover, losing an experienced operator鈥攅ven temporarily鈥攃reates operational strain.
Insurance costs, workers鈥� compensation claims, and productivity losses compound the problem. Preventing these injuries is not just a safety priority, it is also a financial imperative.
Why This Matters Now
The waste industry continues to rank among the most hazardous occupations in the U.S. with high rates of injuries and fatalities. While transportation incidents dominate fatality statistics, nonfatal injuries鈥攅specially those involving contact with equipment鈥攔emain a persistent challenge. Mounting and dismounting incidents fall squarely within this category, making them a critical focus area for operators and managers alike.
Final Thought
Mounting and dismounting heavy equipment may seem routine, but it is one of the most common points where operators get hurt. I remember some 30 years ago when I started my career as an operator. I was fresh out of the military and felt invincible. Whenever I would dismount from my machine, I would jump off the machine with no regard to my safety or long-term injury to my body. I remember an old timer I was working with saying 鈥淜id you are going to regret jumping off the machine like that one day鈥�. From that point on I listened to and used the three points of contact method.
In the waste industry where conditions are harsher, equipment is used more intensively, and the pace is relentless, this risk is amplified. By reinforcing proper technique, maintaining equipment access points, and building a culture that values safe transitions as much as safe operation, organizations can significantly reduce preventable injuries and keep their operators healthy and productive on the job. | WA
Clay Layne is Co-Founder of PurposeFirst. He brings more than 30 years of experience in heavy equipment operations and safety. A 17-year veteran of Caterpillar Inc., Clay worked alongside engineers in research and development and led operator training focused on best practices and safety in the waste industry. His lifelong mission is to make the industry safer for all frontline workers through leadership, education, and a culture of accountability. He can be reached at (309) 397-3609 or e-mail [email protected].