Refuse vehicle driver

A refuse vehicle driver

Description

Refuse vehicle drivers drive the large vehicles used for refuse collection. They drive the vehicles from the homes and facilities where the refuse is collected by the refuse collectors on the lorry and transport the waste to the waste treatment and disposal facilities.

Minimum qualifications

A high school diploma is generally the minimum required to work as a refuse vehicle driver.

ISCO skill level

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

  • the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
  • the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
  • the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

Refuse vehicle driver is a Skill level 2 occupation.

Refuse vehicle driver career path

Similar occupations

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to refuse vehicle driver.

asbestos abatement worker
pesticide mixer
cargo vehicle driver
soap maker
nitroglycerin neutraliser

Long term prospects

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of refuse vehicle driver. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of refuse vehicle driver with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

solid waste operator
waste broker
hazardous waste technician
incinerator operator
landfill supervisor

Essential knowledge and skills

Essential knowledge

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of refuse vehicle driver.

  • Waste transport legislation: Regulations and legislation concerning the safe transportation of hazardous and non-hazardous waste materials, products, and appliances.
  • Waste management: The methods, materials and regulations used to collect, transport, treat and dispose of waste. This includes recycling and monitoring of waste disposal.
  • Types of waste collection vehicles: Different types of heavy trucks used for waste collection such as front loaders, rear loaders, and side loaders.
  • Waste and scrap products: The offered waste and scrap products, their functionalities, properties and legal and regulatory requirements.

Essential skills and competences

These skills are necessary for the role of refuse vehicle driver.

Optional knowledge and skills

Optional knowledge

This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of refuse vehicle driver. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

  • Hazardous materials transportation: Regulations and safety procedures which are involved in the transportation of hazardous materials and products, such as hazardous waste, chemicals, explosives, and flammable materials.
  • Road transport legislation: Know road transport regulations at regional, national, and European level in matters of safety and environmental requirements.
  • Hazardous waste storage: The regulations and procedures surrounding the safekeeping of materials and substances which pose health and safety risks.

Optional skills and competences

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of refuse vehicle driver. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

  • Empty community waste collection bins: Empty containers placed on public sites used for the disposal of non-hazardous waste and transport the waste to waste treatment and disposal facilities.
  • Assess waste type: Identify waste materials during collection and sorting operations which can either be recycled, disposed of, or otherwise treated, in order to assess the way in which they need to be treated and sorted.
  • Collect industrial waste: Collect non-hazardous or hazardous waste which is produced by industrial activities, such as paints, chemicals, industrial byproducts, and radioactive waste.
  • Read maps: Read maps effectively.
  • Dispose of hazardous waste: Dispose of dangerous materials such as chemical or radioactive substances according to environmental and to health and safety regulations.
  • Dispose of non-hazardous waste: Dispose of waste materials which pose no risk to health and safety in a manner which complies with recycling and waste management procedures.
  • Establish waste collection routes: Establish and outline the routes which would ensure efficient and fast waste collection in the designated area.
  • Maintain septic tanks: Maintain effluent sewer systems which use septic tanks to collect sewage, and separate solid waste from it, from residential buildings or organisations. Perform routine maintenance tasks and cleaning duties, identify and repair faults.
  • Operate GPS systems: Use GPS Systems.
  • Maintain refuse collection equipment: Identify and repair minor damage to refuse collection equipment as well as perform routine maintenance tasks.
  • Collect domestic waste: Collect non-hazardous waste from residential areas and homes in order to remove it from the area and transport it to a waste treatment and disposal facility.

ISCO group and title

8332 – Heavy truck and lorry drivers


References
  1. Refuse vehicle driver – ESCO
  2. Featured image: By bilbobagweed – CLEANAWAY, CC BY 2.0
Last updated on August 23, 2022

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