1. A method comprises: storing a plurality of tasks in a task queue, wherein a task of the plurality of tasks is dispersed storage error encoded to produce a set of encoded task slices, wherein the set of encoded task slices are stored in a plurality of storage units of a dispersed storage network (DSN); retrieving, by a plurality of computing devices, at least some of the plurality of tasks for execution, wherein a computing device of the plurality of computing devices: issuing a set of read requests and a set of initiate delete requests to the plurality of storage units regarding an unassigned task, wherein the set of initiate delete requests instruct the plurality of storage units to flag for deletion, but not execute deletion, of a set of encoded task slices corresponding to the unassigned task; receiving responses from at least a decode threshold number of storage units of the plurality of storage units in response to the set of read requests and the set of initiate delete requests; when the responses include at least a decode threshold number of encoded task slices of the unassigned task: decoding the at least a decode threshold number of encoded task slices to recover the unassigned task; executing the recovered unassigned task; when execution of the recovered unassigned task was successful, issuing a set of commit delete requests to the plurality of storage units that instruct the plurality of storage units to delete the set of encoded task slices for the unassigned task.