It's a dirty job but somebody's gotta do it! Periodically, field technicians are required to work at landfills to perform maintenance and repairs on various machines. If you can handle the smell and the seagulls overhead, there's ways to make this task as safe as possible. Here are some good tips for working safely at landfills.

• Do a walk-around inspection around, and underneath the machine you're about to be working on. Look for needles, diapers and other harmful objects and remove safely before beginning repairs.
• Wear all personal protective equipment for the job. This includes safety glasses, boots, ear protection, face shield (if necessary), and possibly a full "tyvek" type suit if needed.
• Make sure to have had a recent tetnus shot and consider getting a hepatitis b shot for added protection against bloodborne pathogens.
• If possible, have the agency wash off the machine before beginning repairs, check with site management.

THE MORE SAFETY PRECAUTIONS TAKEN THE EASIER THIS DIRTY JOB BECOMES!