Roadside Cleanup

What's involved

• The project involves cleaning of roadside litter on both sides of the road within the road rights-of-way of the County of Grande Prairie.
• Ensure you have a commitment from your group to undertake the project. We recommend a minimum of two people per kilometre. Participants must be 9 years of age or older.
• Ensure you reviewed all the forms and information on this page.

Deadlines

• Completed Registration & Commitment Form are forwarded to the County Office on or before the submission deadline: Friday, March 26, 2021 at 4 p.m.
• Groups will be contacted by the following week (all registrants are not guaranteed a Zone).
• Campaign start and end dates are to be determined due to COVID-19.

Payment

• Payment will be either $150 per kilometre or a lump sum amount and will be indicated on each area map.
• Volunteers have the opportunity to take all the waste collected to a designated bin or nearest landfill facility for an additional $200. This is a one-time payment. Ensure load is covered and service.

Please note

• If you are unable to have your zone cleaned in one day, you are required to notify Public Works Department

• If you have any questions contact the Public Works department at 780-532-7393.

Requirements

• Participants must be a minimum of 9 years of age.
• Participants must wear a safety vest.
• Participants must wear gloves and sturdy footwear.
• Supervisors;
  • Must have safety check lists and safe clean-up procedures with you.
  • Must have an adequate first-aid kit.

Safe Clean-Up Procedures

These procedures provide you with the information you need to instruct your group’s participants to safely and efficiently clean road ditches. Take your time and go over each item thoroughly.

• It is recommended that there be at least one adult supervisor (18 years of age or older) for every two children (9 to 14 years of age) participating on a work crew.
  (We recommend 1 adult supervisor for every 5 participants 15 – 17 years of age)
• An adult supervisor should always work between the edge of the road and the children participating in the clean-up.
• The youngest participants should work closest to the property line.
• Do not cross the road.
• The area to be cleaned will be from the edge of the road to the property line on both sides of the road.
• The standard for cleaning is to pick up anything that is the size of a candy wrapper or larger.
• Do not touch, disturb, or pick up dead animals.
• Do not touch, disturb, or pick up any items you are unsure of, like needles, syringes, diapers, sanitary napkins, chemicals or pesticide containers.
• Clearly identify with a mark or report any dead animals or items that you are unsure of. County crews will take care of the disposal of all hazardous, potentially hazardous materials or carcasses.
• If not taking waste collected to the nearest designated bin or landfill facility, the full garbage bags are to be tied up and left far enough off the edge of the road so as not to interfere with or be struck by traffic. Notify Public Works at 780-532-7393 so the garbage bags can be picked up as soon as possible.
• Items too large or too heavy to be placed in garbage bags should be left as is and clearly marked to be dealt with by County staff. Take a picture, if you can.
• Do not burn anything, stay away from deep water and clean your hands before eating.

Shuttle Vehicle Safety Procedures

Another important aspect of the Roadside Clean-up is the safety rules and procedures for the operation of shuttle vehicles and the participants using these vehicles. Again, it is important for you to emphasize that these rules and procedures are there for the safety of your group members and the motoring public. As before, take your time and make sure you cover each item.

• All shuttle drivers must obey the rules of the road. Explain that they should drive defensively, in a safe and courteous manner.
• Never drive against the flow of traffic.
• Only back up when it is safe to do so.
• When slowing down and stopping to pick up or drop off participants, the shuttle vehicle should use its four-way flashers.
• Never park a vehicle over the brow of a hill.
• Always get in and out of the shuttle vehicle on the side that is furthest away from the travel lanes.
• Only approach a shuttle vehicle after it has come to a complete stop.
• Do not try to get in or out of the shuttle vehicle until it has come to a complete stop and the shuttle driver tells you to get in or out.
• Do not carry more people than the vehicle is designed for.
• Do not ride in the back of the pick-ups or on the tailgate.
• Everyone in the vehicle must wear a seat belt, unless travelling in a vehicle not equipped with seat belts. If the number of people in the vehicle exceeds the number of seat belts, all seat belts must be used.
• Finally, when travelling as a passenger, do not impede or obstruct the driver of the shuttle vehicle.

Special Procedures

• Children should cross only under adult supervision.
• No more than three to cross at a time.
• Cross on the same side as you were picking up garbage.
• The adult supervisor should follow the children so that they are always visible to him/her.
• Walk briskly. Don’t dawdle or run.
• When a vehicle approaches on your side of the road, stop walking and face the road with your back to the bridge.
• Once the vehicle has passed, resume walking.

Railway Tracks Crossing Procedure

• Children should cross only under adult supervision.
• Never stand closer than 5 meters from the tracks when waiting to cross.
• Stop, look and listen. When the tracks are clear, cross briskly.
• Cross in a group.
• Never stand by the tracks waving to the engineer. The colour of the safety vests indicates danger and the engineer may try to stop the train.
• Never allow participants to place any objects on the tracks.

Review

Briefly review the major points of the training session touching on:

• The safety check lists
• Safe clean-up procedures
• Shuttle vehicle safety procedures
• Bridge crossing procedure
• Railway tracks crossing procedure