Roadside cleanup activities, whether undertaken through the Alberta Highway Cleanup Program or as part of routine county road upkeep, help maintain safe and clean roadways. Organized cleanups also present a valuable opportunity for communities to come together in collaboration to help keep their roads clean.
However, roadside cleanup involves certain risks. To mitigate these hazards, the Risk Team at RMA has developed a comprehensive list of recommendations and best practices to ensure a safe and effective cleanup process.
General Recommendations
- Participants must be a minimum of 9 years old.
- Maintain a supervision ratio of one (1) adult supervisor for every two (2) participants under 14 years old; and one (1) adult supervisor for every five (5) participants aged 14 to 18 years old.
- Cleaning activities on medians of divided highways are strictly prohibited.
- Only outer ditches on divided highways should be cleaned.
- Cleanup activities must take place during daylight hours, typically between 7:00 AM and 5:00 PM, to ensure participant visibility to drivers.
- A fully stocked first aid kit must be available on-site.
- Participants should wear brightly colored, reflective clothing to enhance their visibility to motorists
- All participants must always wear gloves and safety vests.
- Participants must always remain off the highway and avoid crossing the roadway or chasing windblown objects such as litter or personal belongings.
- Adult supervisors should position themselves between the pavement edge and participants to act as a safety barrier.
- Younger participants should be assigned to areas closest to fences and furthest from the road surface.
- Do not touch or collect dead animals or any suspicious items, such as needles, syringes, or chemical or pesticide containers.
- Avoid all bodies of water, regardless of depth.
- The use of headphones, handheld video games, or cell phones is prohibited unless required for cleanup coordination.
- Appropriate signage must be in place to alert motorists of roadside cleanup activities.
RMA Insurance offers a comprehensive volunteer package, available upon request. This package includes sample volunteer screening checklists, interview forms, volunteer agreements, waiver forms, and additional resources designed to support our members in selecting volunteers for events.
Annual Highway Cleanup
Alberta Transportation has established a highway cleanup program that allows eligible non-profit organizations to clean designated highways in exchange for compensation. All non-profit organizations and clubs are encouraged to participate and utilize this opportunity as a fundraising initiative. Key program details include:
- The annual Highway Cleanup Program takes place on the first or second Saturday in May, weather permitting.
- Interested members must contact Alberta Transportation and Economic Corridors in advance to request a specific highway section for cleanup.
- Alberta Transportation and Economic Corridors provide compensation of $100 per kilometer cleaned to all participating non-profit organizations.
- All participants must complete the required training courses before taking part in the highway cleanup program.
- Alberta Transportation supplies safety manuals, safety vests, garbage bags, signs, and gloves for participants.
- Filled garbage bags should be placed along the outer edge of the highway for pickup by Alberta Transportation maintenance contractors.
- For inquiries or to register for the Highway Cleanup Program, please contact trans.highwayoperations@gov.ab.ca.
The attached visual can help provide a better understanding of the proper set up for roadside cleanup on Alberta highways and county roads.
Please reach out to the Risk Team at risk@rmainsurance.com for any questions or concerns relating to roadside cleanup.relating to roadside cleanup.
Source: Annual Highway Clean Up Event – Managing Supervisors Handbook