Waste collector
Appearance
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/10/Dustcart_%28prague%29.jpg/250px-Dustcart_%28prague%29.jpg)
A waste collector is a person employed by a public or private enterprise to collect and remove discarded refuse and recyclables from residential, commercial, industrial or other collection site for further processing and disposal. Specialised waste collection vehicles featuring an array of automated functions are often deployed to assist waste collectors in reducing collection and transport time and for protection from exposure.
Hazards
Waste collectors are exposed to many on-the-job hazards, such as chemical burns, disposable needles, broken glass, falling objects from overloaded containers, diseases that may accompany solid waste, asbestos, dog-attacks, pests (ants, flies), dust, inclement weather, traffic and foul odours.
Regional colloquialisms
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Notable waste collectors
- Former waste collectors
- Andy Abraham - Vocalist
- Michael Carroll - National Lottery winner
- Richard Leiterman - Cinematographer
- Steve Hutchins - Politician
- Nathan Rees - Politician, Premier of New South Wales
- Fictional waste collectors
- Carl (Charlie Sheen) & James (Emilio Estevez) from the 1990 film Men At Work
- Louie Wilson (Scatman Crothers) of Chico and the Man
- Mike Droese - Professional wrestler
- Garbageman - From Dilbert
- Garbageman - From Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
- Nicodemus (Noddy) Boffin, aka the Golden Dustman, in Charles Dickens' Our Mutual Friend, probably based on Henry Dodd, a ploughboy who made his fortune removing London's rubbish.
- The 1960s popular song "My old man's a dustman" by Lonnie Donegan
- The films Blood Feast, Scanners III: The Takeover and Child's Play 3 all feature minor characters being murdered with refuse trucks.[1]
See also
References
- Labor Market Information Division (2002). "California Occupational Guide Number 460: Mechanical - Skilled Occupations: Refuse Collectors". State of California, Employment Development Department. Retrieved 2008-05-28.