To become a garbage man or woman, often called a garbage collector, is a professional working for a private or public sector waste management organization.
They maintain the cleanliness of environments and homes by picking up and removing waste from residential, commercial, or industrial areas and transporting the waste to a designated area to be incinerated or to a recycling center.
To become a garbage man, you must be educated on waste management and be able to work as a team member. It would be best if you were physically fit and could lift heavy objects.
Are you interested in becoming a sanitation worker? Then this article is for you.
As we will be discussing how to become a garbage man, the working conditions, and the skills required to work in this profession.
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How to Become a Garbage Man
There are a few qualifications required for you to become a garbage man. But there are particular processes you have to follow if you are interested in becoming one, such as:
Obtain a High School Diploma or Its Equivalent
To become a garbage man, you need a high school diploma or its equivalent like GED, as it is a requirement for almost all garbage man positions
Start a Consistent Workout Routine to Get Into Shape
It would be best if you were physically fit because the job demands that you lift heavy trash bags and other objects.
So it is essential you get in shape before applying for the job, as these exercises will give you the strength you need to be a successful garbage man
Gain experience by working as part of a team. Garbage men usually work with two or three people, so working well with a team is an important skill.
Engage yourself in tasks and jobs that involve a team to harness this skill. This is an added advantage when applying for the job.
Obtain a Commercial Driver’s License
It is essential to have a commercial driver’s license before applying. This can improve your chances of getting hired.
Keep a Clean Driver’s License
As a sanitation worker, you will be required to drive a garbage truck at some point in your career.
Therefore it is essential for you to have a solid and clean driving record before applying for the job
Apply for the Job
After following the above steps, you can now apply for garbage man positions.
You can apply online on job sites or local waste management websites, where available positions are often listed
Working Conditions for a Garbage Man
Anyone aspiring to become a garbage man must like working outdoors in all kinds of weather.
The job requires the removal of waste regularly, which exposes you to different weather conditions such as snow, heat, and rain.
The job is also physically demanding as you must be fit to pick up and dispose of trash and operate the hydraulic lifting system to carry and dump trash in the garbage truck.
Garbage men usually work a regular shift, such as 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m, or irregular hours such as very early in the morning or late at night.
These professionals are often exposed to dangerous materials such as broken glass, syringes, chemicals, dust, diseases, etc.
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Skills Required to Become a Garbage Man
There are different kinds of skills required to become a garbage man. The following are essential skills you must possess.
Customer Service Skill
This is essential as most garbage men interact with homeowners and business owners.
Being able to communicate and create a friendly relationship with customers is necessary for a garbage man
Physical Fitness and Stamina
You must be physically fit and strong, as you spend most of the day working on your feet, lifting heavy trash bags, and operating a garbage truck
Teamwork Skill
You must be able to communicate and cooperate with your team members so that all team members share the same goals and objectives
Time Management Skill
This skill helps you to be able to keep track of time, as you may have multiple stops in a day.
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Conclusion
A garbage man is a professional who collects and removes waste from residential, commercial, and industrial areas. The waste is transported to a designated area to be incinerated or recycled.
To become a garbage man, you need to obtain a high school diploma or equivalent and a commercial driver’s license. It would be best if you were physically fit and could work as a team member.
Some of the skills required to become a sanitation worker are customer service, physical fitness and stamina, and teamwork skill.
