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Safety And Well-being Are Multnomah County’s Greatest Concerns As You Work On The Roadside!

Alcoholic beverages and drugs are prohibited. Any participant who is under or suspected of being under the influence of alcohol or drugs shall be removed from the work-site immediately!

Clothing

Appropriate clothing and foot wear shall be worn to protect your body from physical hazards and seasonal weather conditions.

Safety vests provided by the County will be worn at all times when you are outside the transport vehicle within the right-of-way.

Each participant shall have a pair of gloves in their possession and for their use to reduce the possibility of contamination.

Working in Traffic

Groups shall only pick up litter from one side of the road at any given time. Groups shall not enter a paved or unpaved median or a traffic lane or ramp at any time to remove litter.

Participants shall walk and work in a direction conducive to their safety. On narrow roadsides, participants shall walk and work in the direction facing oncoming traffic.

Signs

”Volunteer Litter Crew Ahead” signs shall be used at all times to alert motorists that your group is present. No participant should be more than a half mile from the nearest sign. Signs shall be taken down or turned around if your group is on an extended break or lunch.

Vehicle Operation

Care shall be taken to minimize the number of vehicles used to transport participants to the clean-up site.

Seat belts for all occupants shall be provided and used any time a vehicle is in motion, transporting your group and equipment. Vehicles should be in proper working order, and at least one of them shall contain drinking water, a first-aid kit, and a fire extinguisher.

Safe Parking

Vehicles shall be parked in a safe place as far to the right of the fog-line (or edge of pavement) as possible. Use good judgment! Emergency hazard lights shall be employed when vehicles are temporarily stopped or parked on road shoulders.

Safe Driving Rules

  1. Always be courteous.
  2. Obey all laws.
  3. Stay alert for potential accident situations.
  4. Use the two-second rule to provide a safe distance when following another vehicle.
  5. Proceed cautiously through intersections.
  6. Be extremely careful when backing up a vehicle. As much as possible, park so that backing up is unnecessary. Consider every available alternative prior to putting a vehicle in reverse.
  7. Back up slowly. Do not back up for long distances or around corners. Get out to see if the way is clear and/or using a spotter. Honk horn twice before backing up.
  8.  Keep windows clean and unobstructed.
  9. Make turn-around and legal U-turns in safe places. Be sure there is adequate sight distance in all directions.
  10. Keep interior of vehicle clean and free of debris.

Accident and Incident Reporting

Report to the appropriate law enforcement agency immediately all incidents that normally require notification. Information and documentation of all accidents and/or incidents shall be reported on the first business day after the occurrence to the Right-of-Way Permit Supervisor. Participants should work in view of at least one other person at all times.

Found items having a value of over $25 are to be turned in to the County or to the appropriate law enforcement agency. All other items may be kept by the finder/group.

First Aid

Each group shall have at least one First-Aid Kit. Each group should have at least one person present who is certified in First-Aid. In case of emergency, each group shall keep a log on hand which includes each participant's name, social security number, and medical coverage. Each driver shall know where the closest hospitals are and the routes to use to reach them.

Infection Control

Precautionary measures shall be taken to prevent exposure to infectious diseases, such as hepatitis. Basic measures include the wearing of gloves, washing hands before eating, and avoiding contamination of eyes and open cuts, scratches, sores, and rashes.

Possible sources of contamination may include disposable diapers, hypodermic needles, spoiled food, and dead animals. All bio-hazardous materials, including medical wastes, spoiled food, and dead animals shall be left untouched and in place. Only diapers which have decomposed shall be picked up with litter. The Group Coordinator will notify the County of any found Public Health Hazards.

Hazardous Substances

Items that are suspected of containing hazardous chemicals shall be left untouched and in place, and reported to the County or the proper authorities as soon as possible. Some of these substances may be in containers with identifying labels. Key words to look for on labels are CAUTION, WARNING, and DANGER. Other substances may be unknown and transferred to identifiable containers such as milk jugs or bleach bottles. Use Common Sense! If in doubt, Back Away! Do Not Handle or Attempt To Move These Materials.

Possible hazardous materials include fertilizer, flammable solvents, concentrated herbicides, insecticides, or by-products of amphetamine or other drug laboratories.

All hazardous substances and medical wastes (needles) shall be marked for County removal.

Collection of Litter

Litter bags shall be filled to capacity taking care not to overload them. A completely filled bag can weigh between 5and 30 pounds depending on the type and density of the materials. Cardboard which has been broken down can serve as a liner between the litter and the polyethylene bag. The cardboard may prevent bodily injury due to the penetration of sharp objects from the bag. All glass should be placed as much to the center of the bag as possible.

Litter bags shall never be slung over one's back but are to be carried slightly away to one’s side. Litter bags are not to be placed on the paved road shoulders or near traffic lanes as they usually end up being moved by the wind and hit by traffic. Bags shall be placed under and in front of guardrail posts, on top of and slightly away from a curb as opposed to in the gutter, against a sign post, or possibly with other heavier bags or materials, to keep them in place. Bags shall be grouped in piles when possible. Larger items can be grouped with trash bags in piles.

Clean-up Caddies (Grapplers)

Litter devices known as Clean-up Caddies (or grapplers) will be offered on a limited basis by the County. They should not be used on materials whose weight is more than one pound nor should they be forced into the ground when not in use. Materials weighing more than a pound should be handled by hand.

Miscellaneous Rules

Good hearing, eyesight, and reaction time are paramount when working on the roadside. The use of “Walkman” type electronic devices is forbidden. Participants shall be mentally alert and physically prepared for uneven ground, slippery and unstable areas, and for climbing and descending gradual slopes. Climbing steep slopes or grades is prohibited.

Groups shall stay well clear of maintenance and/or construction projects. Litter pick up in and around tunnel areas or on bridges is forbidden. Litter pick up shall be suspended during hazardous weather conditions or when poor lighting conditions exist.

Participants should stay in view of at least one other person at all times. If a stranger acts with inappropriate behavior, immediately contact a team member, group leader, or law enforcement.

Necessary Forms on the Work Site

The Group Coordinator shall have the permit in their possession:

By participating in this project, you are representing the citizens of Multnomah County.
Your behavior and actions should reflect the highest standards of citizenship!