At Capital Waste Services (CWS), we take pride in our dedication to ensuring the safety of our waste workers, office staff, and customers. We believe that education is a major key to preventing injuries, which is why we provide comprehensive safety training for all employees. But what does this training look like in practice? Join us as we go behind the scenes with our Digital Marketing Coordinator, Joy King, as she rides along with one of our exceptional front-end drivers, Ashley Archie-Laboy.
Ashley has been a standout among our team of dedicated waste drivers since 2022, consistently receiving rave reviews and five-star ratings for her outstanding service. Joy had the opportunity to ride along with Ashley and was impressed by her attention to detail and commitment to safety. “I really enjoyed my time during the ride along and was assigned to Ashley, which was a definite perk,” Joy exclaimed.
Waste truck drivers typically start their day early, roughly arriving at 2:30 am for a morning meeting to discuss route changes and important information. Before hitting the road, they conduct a thorough pre-trip inspection of their trucks to ensure they meet safety standards. “It was amazing to see Ashley going through her truck from top to bottom, making sure everything was in order,” Joy observed.
According to the article “10 Most Dangerous Jobs In America For 2024,” written on Forbes.com, refuse and recyclable material collectors rank at number 7. As mentioned above, we prioritize safety above all else at CWS. Our comprehensive safety training program ensures every staff member is equipped with the latest knowledge and best practices to prevent accidents. With a dedicated Director of Safety, we can ensure that all safety materials and training are up-to-date and effective for learning.
While we can hope that our waste truck drivers’ routes run smoothly, unexpected issues can arise. That’s why our drivers receive intensive safety training to address or resolve waste-related safety concerns. For Joy, her ride-along experience was incident-free, with only minor issues like locked gates, unauthorized trash items, and other minor issues encountered. “Ashley handled each situation professionally and made me feel safe throughout,” Joy noted.
After a long day of collecting waste, drivers return to headquarters after dumping their loads and completing a post-trip inspection. This routine allows them to note any notable items like damage, load information, and other related items.
As Joy reflected on her ride-along experience, she realized that the waste industry is much more than just collecting trash and garbage. “It requires skilled driving, customer satisfaction, and so much more to make a successful waste driver. And it takes effort and pride in your job,” she commented. Not to mention that this hands-on approach builds deeper connections and more effective understanding for our sales department. By sending our sales representative on ride-along truly sets us apart from other waste companies with a unique mindset of being one team.
By sharing this experience with you, we hope to showcase the dedication and expertise that goes into keeping our communities clean and safe.