Safety and parking
Watch the safety video above prior to each pick.
Safety first, safety always
- Group leaders are responsible to ensure that each volunteer reviews the safety information, are able to work safely and understand the requirements listed in the AAH guidelines.
- Volunteers should know that they will work in a potentially hazardous environment and must agree to diligently follow all safety requirements. Failure to comply with safety requirements could result in cancellation of the agreement.
- Volunteers should not pick up litter on medians between roadways, median on or off ramps, center of roundabouts, bridges, in tunnels, on overpasses or around other structures that may pose a danger.
- If a volunteer finds a weapon, DO NOT touch it.
- Call 911 to report it.
- Be aware of ticks, snakes and other animals you may encounter during the pick.
- Avoid poison ivy, wild parsnips (PDF), or other noxious weeds. Stay away from recently applied herbicides.
- Avoid abandoned containers, regulated waste and hazardous materials - DO NOT TOUCH!
- If you find any materials such as propane tanks, hypodermic needles or syringes, explosives, dead animals, abandoned containers*, sharp objects or heavy/large items; please mark the location and notify your AAH coordinator. MnDOT personnel will manage this waste.
*Abandoned containers include: drums, buckets, cans with lids, etc.
Keep a safe distance and stay up wind. Call 911 if emergency.
- If you find any materials such as propane tanks, hypodermic needles or syringes, explosives, dead animals, abandoned containers*, sharp objects or heavy/large items; please mark the location and notify your AAH coordinator. MnDOT personnel will manage this waste.
- If you notice any of the following conditions in water areas contact your AAH coordinator to report possible illicit discharge:
- Sheen
- Color/unusual appearance
- Staining
- Erosion or high flow
- Odor
Parking
- Carpool to the site whenever possible and park in a nearby public parking lot.
- There is no parking on state right of way unless MnDOT approves. Contact your AAH coordinator for questions.
- If your pick site is an interstate highway, contact your AAH coordinator for questions.
- Volunteers working along the interstate must be 18-years old or older.