MEADVILLE — The Department of Environmental Protection cited 29 trash truck operators for operational and safety violations during inspections last week at four landfills in northwestern Pennsylvania.
DEP inspected trucks at Seneca Landfill, Butler County; Rustick/McKean Landfill, McKean County; Greentree Landfill, Elk County; and Lake View Landfill, Erie County.
The inspections were conducted June 2-3. The violations are against the haulers, not the landfills.
“These inspections are aimed at improving the safety of Pennsylvania highways,” said DEP Northwest Regional Director Kelly Burch. “Our objective is to increase that safety by keeping trash haulers in compliance with environmental regulations.”
DEP staff inspected 382 trucks and found 37 violations. Fifteen trucks had leaking loads; one truck had a load that was not enclosed; nine trucks lacked signage to identify owner information and type of waste; three failed to have any signs; five failed to have spill response plans; one truck lacked daily operational records; one failed to have required safety equipment; one failed to have required written authorization; and one failed to have a required authorization sticker.
Trash haulers must obtain authorization from DEP under Act 90, the state’s Waste Transportation Safety Act, to haul waste in Pennsylvania to in-state facilities. DEP inspectors look at compliance history, and if outstanding violations exist or there is an inability to comply with Act 90 regulations, the state can revoke authorization.
In addition to checking Act 90 requirements, DEP inspectors also look for fire extinguisher and sign violations; drivers not properly managing waste during transportation; leaking trucks; improper covers over the waste; trucks that are overweight or otherwise overloaded; and log book or record-keeping violations.
