On the Job: Salisbury Sanitation
If you own a dump pass, you bring your garbage directly to the landfill yourself. But most people have their trash picked up and once you bring your trash cans to the curb, it’s pretty much “good riddance” and “out of sight, out of mind”. But those unsung heroes who provide this service finally get a little recognition as 47 ABC goes inside a sanitation truck. If you’ve ever wondered what happens to your trash once you part with it, the mystery is solved.
Tony Hilton has been with Salisbury sanitation for seven years and he says he really likes what he does! Hilton says a typical day usually runs four or five hours and on Thursday’s six hours. And he says the smell is quite unpleasant, especially in the summer time.
Hilton tells 47 ABC, “My job is primarily inside with the windows up, you can still smell the garbage. That’s indescribable the smell”. As far as the truck itself, three of them run per day and the driver rarely has to leave his seat. An automated arm reaches out and grabs the can and picks it up and dumps it into the top.
Hilton says it took him about a month and a half to learn all the buttons inside the truck and their functions including the routes that he has to drive every day! Watching the truck in motion is incredible. But it’s definitely not for those who are prone to motion sickness. The truck is constantly shaking!
So what are some difficulties one might run into? Hilton says sometimes the cans are not within reach of the arm and often times a car or mailbox might be in the way. But Hilton says one of the biggest problems?
Hilton tells 47 ABC, “The college kids when they come to town they may park, you know, just anywhere sometimes..They could use a little education on how to set a can out.”
So how many women do this job? Before 47 ABC’s Michelle Mackonochie, none!
Next week Michelle heads to Scher’s Bridal Shop to help a bride pick out her wedding dress for her very special day. Remember, if you own or work for a business which you think would make for a great “On the Job” report, you may email Michelle at michelle_mackonochie@wmdt.com.
