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High Point, N.C., Garbage Workers Cope With Heat, Stench on Rounds

Posted on: Wednesday, 27 July 2005, 15:00 CDT

Jul. 27--HIGH POINT -- Nathan Rankin and Lamont Johnson jump off the back of a sanitation truck, the stench clinging to the air like cat fur on a wool sweater.

Rankin and Johnson, clad in dark blue shirts and jeans and wearing safety glasses, take a moment to wipe the sweat off their brows Tuesday. The heat radiates off the pavement from the unrelenting sun as the two 27-year-old sanitation workers for the city of High Point take a break while picking up garbage in the Johnson Street Historic District north of downtown.

Like other sanitation workers across the city, they'll endure the elements for eight hours a day, handling containers of trash that are stewed in near 100-degree heat.

"I think these folks have the toughest job in the city when it's like this," said Leonard Barham, High Point environmental services superintendent.

In addition to coping with the odor from garbage containers, sanitation workers step on and off curbs while hustling to and from the sides of streets. An average city route involves 760 pickups.

So far, no sanitation workers have suffered serious heat exhaustion problems, Barham said Tuesday. Crews are taking more breaks and drinking fluids constantly.

Johnson, a sanitation crew laborer, said the worst part of the day for hauling trash comes around lunchtime.

"By 12 o'clock, it's as hot as a firecracker," he said.

Rankin said as the day wears on, "the smell from the garbage can really get to you."

Michael Hall, 37, is the driver for Johnson and Rankin's truck. He's stocking plenty of water and Gatorade and trying to run routes in the morning, he said.

Many city residents who appreciate the sanitation workers bring them drinks or leave a cooler with beverages. "Some of them are real nice to us," Hall said.

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To see more of the High Point Enterprise, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.hpe.com.

Copyright (c) 2005, High Point Enterprise, N.C.

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Source: High Point Enterprise

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