The NYC Department of Sanitation (DSNY) and the NYC Business Integrity Commission (BIC) proposed rules to promote public safety and protect workers in New York City’s trade waste industry. The proposed rules, published in the City Record, mandate safer vehicles and operations in the sector. Since 2010, trucks operated by trade waste companies have killed at least 51 people and injured more than 400 others on New York City streets. These rules are issued under authority created by a package of reform and safety laws signed by Mayor Bill de Blasio in November 2019.
“The private carting industry has been stuck in a race to the bottom, and cutting corners threatens industry workers as well as the public. These rules take a big step toward making the industry safer and stop the free-for-all of large private carting trucks going up and down our streets. They are an important step toward realizing the goals of Commercial Waste Zones and meaningful reform,” said Edward Grayson, commissioner of the New York City Department of Sanitation.
The BIC rules, which will apply immediately to all trade waste companies and their vehicles, are designed to improve street safety for all street users by improving vehicle safety, holding companies accountable for their drivers’ repeated traffic safety violations, and requiring driver and helper training. The rules will also require all vehicles to pass twice-yearly safety inspections by qualified inspectors as well as daily inspections by vehicle operators. The rules will require the installation of crossover mirrors on the front of all vehicles with a conventional cab configuration within a specified weight rating to allow drivers to better see pedestrians and other vulnerable road users.
The DSNY rules incorporate the components of the BIC rules and set additional requirements for vehicles operating under the City’s Commercial Waste Zone program. These requirements include backup cameras and alarms, auxiliary lighting to illuminate the area around the truck at night, higher visibility “cab-over” designs, and GPS systems for vehicle tracking and alerts. These rules will take effect with the implementation of the Commercial Waste Zones program and will phase in over time.
The hearing on these rules will take place via WebEx on April 13, 2021.
Published in the April 2021 Edition