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Removing garbage from our homes is a black-and-white affair for most of us. If you have a garbage disposal, you do not have to remove all the messy food waste from the kitchen sink. As for other waste materials, you can simply sort them for recycling, dump them outside, and expect the garbage removal truck to pick them up the next day.
However, it is not that easy everywhere. Sometimes, you may encounter hazardous waste material that you must carefully handle. It may be as simple as an old antiperspirant bottle with flammable properties. Any wrong move may cause more harm than you can imagine.
So, how do you safely collect garbage if you have such duties? Often, junk removal in Sydney or any other city or town is easy if you follow guidelines from trusted garbage collection companies. Proper disposal steps are usually written on the label for flammable products such as the antiperspirant bottle mentioned earlier.
How to Remove Garbage Safely
This guide details simple steps to follow if you must do it properly. If you have had trouble doing the basic things or have to handle hazardous waste material, do the following:
Properly Bag Garbage
Most of the things we throw in the garbage in our homes are harmless. They are mostly food waste, empty boxes, drink bottles and cans, or papers and empty product containers. That is why you have never had to worry about handling toxic substances.
But when you think about things made of metal or flammable materials in the waste bag, you may begin to understand how crucial it is to handle waste carefully. This is not only for recycling purposes. You must separate items into separate disposal bags, determining which will likely leak hazardous substances. If you dispose of things like that, seal them in a separate bag and keep them far from the house or other items until the removal truck takes them away.
Inform Proper Authorities of Hazardous Waste
It is rare for residential homes to dispose of harmful or toxic waste substances with their regular garbage. Hazardous waste is usually from factories and industries that handle chemicals and similar products. They must inform the appropriate authorities of these substances before disposing of them because they are harmful.
It is not just about causing harm to people, although preventing harm to persons is the priority. There is also the environment to consider. Such waste substances are not carelessly disposed of; there are methods and specific disposal sites for them.
Throwing them out or even disposing of them in landfills can cause the substances to seep into the soil. Over time, they contaminate the land and water bodies around them. Therefore, they must be put in properly sealed containers or bins and shipped to a special landfill dedicated to that purpose.
Do Not Overfill the Bin Bag
In most places, garbage disposal trucks come daily to remove the refuse from homes. That means your garbage cans must be empty by the end of the day. So, there is no need to overfill your bin. The same applies to the bags you throw in the bin; keep them from being too full, so you do not litter the neighborhood.
Apart from causing a mess everywhere, there is also the risk of insect or rodent infestation. Dirt and waste attract rats, mice, cockroaches, ants, and similar animals. This infestation is a disease hazard because the animals bring germs into the air, harming everyone. Therefore, if it is not hazardous waste, which is not an issue in a residential area, there might be the risk of overfilling your bin, leading to an infestation of insects and rodents.
Lighten the Load
After eliminating risky, toxic, or hazardous waste materials, the next thing to consider is the weight of the garbage. Sometimes, you do not have any control over the weight of the trash, especially when you declutter your home and have to throw many things out. However, ensure the bags are light.
Reduce the load or separate waste into smaller quantities in various bags to make them easier to carry. This is particularly necessary if the distance between the building and the garbage mound is far. You risk harm to your person if you move heavy garbage.
Also, emptying the bag along the way is risky if you cannot carry it to the dirt mound, causing a mess. This resource https://www.amsa.gov.au/ explains more about garbage management.
Safety Steps for Garbage Collectors
If you work in a garbage collection company, you may already know how to keep yourself safe, but the rules change as times evolve. Whether you work as a garbage truck driver or a collector at the site, there are safety tips to ensure you do not put yourself in harm’s way.
Have Regular Meetings
As the times change, the risks also change, and there are always new safety concerns for employees on the field. Therefore, companies must hold regular meetings to discuss safety issues and update regulations to match the changes. Ensure they follow the rules so they are safe, address concerns, and discuss emergency procedures.
Be Vigilant When Driving
Staying vigilant is crucial if you are in the field as a refuse truck driver. Keep your eye out when moving, especially if you are backing up. Garbage trucks are typically big and heavy, so visibility of what is behind can be challenging. Whenever you stop, ensure nothing is behind the truck, whether person or thing, before moving.
Pay attention and always maintain concentration. Employ the camera when moving to see what’s behind you, and adjust the mirrors for the same purpose. The same applies when you move forward; people or people may unintentionally stand in the way, so you must alert them with your horn before moving.
Train the Staff
Companies that handle refuse disposal must regularly train their employees to lift or move heavy items. There are techniques to lift heavy garbage bins safely so they do not injure themselves. Back injuries are common among garbage truck drivers, especially those who work without mechanized lifting equipment.
They are also at risk of other injuries, although back injuries are more common. Therefore, employers must train employees on proper handling, lifting, and disposing of waste. They must also remind them to stay safe by using the proper techniques.
Wear the Right Clothing
Trucks that collect garbage have to park by the side of the road while working. Why do we mention this obvious fact? The reason is that sometimes, other drivers may not see the trucks or drivers, which puts both parties at risk of harm. So, wearing high-visibility clothing is crucial for everyone’s safety. This is always important, especially when the light is insufficient or visibility is problematic.
Keep Equipment in Top Shape
Regular and proper equipment inspection must be a priority for drivers and other employees. It may be the duty of the companies to service equipment, but the workers must also remind them and take the equipment for maintenance and inspection.
If you drive such trucks or handle heavy machinery, watch for poorly functioning parts or faulty machinery. Report any issues immediately for proper inspection, repairs, or replacement.
Wear Safety Gear
Collectors and drivers must protect themselves by wearing the appropriate safety gear when at work. These include work gloves, safety glasses, and proper boots. This gear protects them from flying debris, falling objects, or sprays from hazardous materials.
Ensure the gear is comfortable and fit well; ill-fitting gear is dangerous. The gear must meet ANSI and OSHA standards to be good enough for proper protection. Click here to learn more about these safety standards.
Conclusion
Garbage collection in any state or city is essential to maintain health standards and ensure a clean environment. Also, proper removal ensures no risks to persons or animals because toxic chemicals leak into the soil or water bodies.
Collectors and drivers must stay safe with appropriate gear and working equipment and follow safety regulations. Removal must be quick and regular to avoid insect or rodent infestation.
Image Credit: depositphotos.com
