Heat is a predictable hazard in the waste industry, but it is also entirely preventable. By recognizing the unique risks in transfer stations, MRFs, and landfills companies can protect their workers, maintain productivity, and uphold the highest standards of safety.
By Clay Layne
Heat is one of the most underestimated dangers in the waste and recycling industry. Unlike a fire, a machine failure, or a traffic hazard, heat does not announce itself with alarms or flashing lights. It creeps in quietly—through rising temperatures, humidity, radiant heat from equipment, and the physical demands of the job. For workers in transfer stations, material recovery facilities (MRFs), and landfills, heat exposure is not just uncomfortable, it is also a serious safety threat that can escalate into life-altering or fatal outcomes if not properly managed.
As summers grow hotter and heat waves become more frequent across the country, the waste industry must treat heat exposure with the same seriousness as any other critical safety hazard. The combination of heavy equipment, enclosed structures, PPE requirements, and physically demanding tasks creates a perfect storm for heat stress. Protecting workers requires awareness, planning, and a proactive safety culture that recognizes heat as a predictable—and preventable—risk.
Why Heat Is Especially Dangerous in 91TV Operations
91TV industry environments amplify heat in ways that many other sectors do not. Each facility type presents unique challenges.
Transfer Stations
Transfer stations often operate inside large metal buildings with limited air flow. Temperatures inside can exceed outdoor temperatures by 10 to 20 degrees due to radiant heat from machinery, trucks, and waste decomposition. Operators and spotters working near compactors or pit areas face constant exposure to heat sources with minimal natural ventilation.
Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs)
MRFs combine high physical exertion with confined spaces. Workers on sorting lines, maintenance staff, and equipment operators are surrounded by motors, conveyors, balers, and electrical systems that generate heat. PPE such as gloves, hard hats, and high-visibility vests trap body heat, making it harder for workers to cool down. Many MRFs lack full climate control, meaning indoor temperatures can climb rapidly during summer months.
Landfills
Landfill workers face direct sun exposure, high humidity, and radiant heat from heavy equipment and decomposing waste. Operators in enclosed cabs may experience greenhouse like conditions if cooling systems are not functioning properly. Spotters, laborers, and scale house staff often work long hours outdoors with limited shade. The combination of sun, heat, and physical exertion makes landfills one of the highest risk environments for heat stress.
Understanding Heat Stress: The Silent Safety Threat
Heat stress is not a single condition—it is a spectrum of escalating medical emergencies. Recognizing the early signs is critical:
• Heat Rash—Often the first indicator that the body is struggling. Workers may ignore it, but it signals that cooling mechanisms are failing.
• Heat Cramps—Painful muscle spasms caused by electrolyte loss. These are early warnings that dehydration is setting in.
• Heat Exhaustion—Symptoms include dizziness, nausea, headache, heavy sweating, and confusion. Without intervention, heat exhaustion can progress rapidly.
• Heat Stroke—A life-threatening emergency. Body temperature rises above 104°F, sweating may stop, and the worker may become disoriented or unconscious. Heat stroke requires immediate medical attention and can be fatal within minutes.
The waste industry’s physical demands accelerate this progression. Workers often push through discomfort, believing they can “tough it out,” which increases the risk of severe outcomes.
The Human and Operational Costs of Heat Exposure
Heat-related illnesses do not just harm workers—they also disrupt operations, increase workers’ compensation claims, and reduce productivity. A single heat-related incident can shut down a facility, trigger OSHA investigations, and damage a company’s safety reputation.
More importantly, heat exposure affects cognitive performance. Even mild dehydration can reduce reaction time, impair judgment, and increase the likelihood of equipment collisions, slips, trips, and falls. In environments where heavy machinery and fast-moving operations are the norm, reduced alertness can be just as dangerous as the heat itself.
Building a Heat-Safe Culture
Preventing heat-related incidents requires more than handing out water bottles. It demands a structured, proactive approach that integrates heat safety into daily operations.
#1: Implement a Heat Illness Prevention Plan
A written plan should outline:
• Environmental monitoring (heat index, humidity, indoor temperature)
• Work/rest cycles based on conditions
• Hydration protocols
• Emergency response procedures
• Supervisor responsibilities
This plan must be communicated clearly and reinforced regularly.
#2: Train Workers to Recognize Symptoms
Training should include:
• Early signs of heat stress
• How to respond when symptoms appear
• The importance of hydration and rest
• Peer-to-peer monitoring
Workers must feel empowered to speak up without fear of discipline.
#3: Provide Adequate Hydration and Cooling Areas
Hydration stations should be:
• Easily accessible
• Stocked with cool water and electrolyte options
• Located near work zones
Cooling areas whether shaded outdoor structures, air-conditioned rooms, or misting stations—give workers a place to recover during breaks.
#4: Adjust Work Schedules During Extreme Heat
When heat index levels rise:
• Start shifts earlier
• Rotate workers more frequently
• Reduce strenuous tasks during peak heat hours
• Increase mandatory rest breaks
These adjustments protect workers without sacrificing productivity.
#5: Maintain Equipment Cooling Systems
For operators in enclosed cabs:
• Ensure AC systems are functioning
• Inspect seals and filters regularly
• Provide sunshades or tinted windows where appropriate
A malfunctioning cab cooling system is a serious safety hazard, not a comfort issue.
#6: Monitor High-Risk Workers
New employees, temporary workers, and those returning from leave are more susceptible to heat stress. Supervisors should monitor them closely and gradually increase workload to allow acclimatization.
Technology and Innovation: New Tools for Heat Safety
The industry is seeing rapid advancements in heat-related safety technology, including:
• Wearable sensors that monitor body temperature and heart rate
• Smart PPE that alerts workers when heat stress indicators rise
• Facility-wide temperature and humidity monitoring systems
• Automated alerts tied to local heat index data
These tools enhance safety, but do not replace the need for strong leadership and a culture that prioritizes worker well-being.
Leadership’s Role in Heat Safety
Heat safety is ultimately a leadership responsibility. Supervisors must model the behaviors they expect from their teams, such as taking breaks, staying hydrated, and watching for signs of heat stress. When leaders treat heat exposure as a serious hazard, workers follow suit. A strong heat safety culture sends a clear message: no task is worth risking a worker’s health.
A Year-Round Commitment
Heat is a predictable hazard in the waste industry, but it is also entirely preventable. By recognizing the unique risks in transfer stations, MRFs, and landfills—and by implementing structured, proactive safety measures—companies can protect their workers, maintain productivity, and uphold the highest standards of safety. As temperatures continue to rise, the industry must stay ahead of the curve. Heat safety is not seasonal; it is a year-round commitment to the people who keep our operations running. | WA
Clay Layne is Co-Founder of PurposeFirst and 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].
Clay will be part of the panel session, “New Approaches to Safey for Workers and the Community” at the WR Expo, August 12 – 13 in Fort Lauderdale, FL. PLUS: visit PurposeFirst Training at the WR Expo, Booth #257.
Clay will speak about training/coaching in a post-collection environment at 91TV Advantage’s Post-Collection Safety Webinar on September 10th from 2:00 – 3:30pm ET. To register, visit /safety-webinars.