How to Mitigate Injuries and Get the Most Out of Your Waste Container Rental in Kansas City
Embarking on a decluttering or renovation project is an exciting endeavor, but efficient waste management is a key aspect that should not be overlooked. Waste container rentals provide an efficient and cost-effective solution for those who need a centralized location for their waste, debris, and unwanted items.
Securing and using a dumpster container rental is easy, but there are some dos and don’ts customers must be mindful of to ensure their safety and mitigate waste-related issues. By getting familiar with the best practices for utilizing waste container rentals, users can ensure their projects go smoothly and avoid injury.
Wear Protective Gear and Clothing
Decluttering, renovation, and large construction projects create debris and waste that you must transport from the job site to the container rental. Some debris may feature sharp edges, splintered wood, rusty nails, and other things that can pierce skin.
You can reduce your risk by wearing sturdy gear and clothing that provides a layer of protection. Work boots, jeans, work gloves, and a long sleeve shirt should do the trick.
Be Careful What You Breathe
Construction and renovation projects tend to kick up a lot of dust and airborne grime, neither of which are good for your respiratory system. Demolition and moving waste and debris into your dumpster container sends particles airborne, causing you to experience sneezing, coughing, an itchy throat, and in some cases, impaired lung function. You can protect yourself by wearing a painter’s mask or respirator mask while you work.
Shield Your Eyes with Protective Goggles
Airborne particles generated by debris are not only harmful to breathe, but they can also get in your eyes and cause them to feel itchy and watery. Additionally, dropping heavy items into a container rental can cause small pieces of glass, wood, and drywall to pop out, potentially hitting other workers nearby.
You can protect your eyes from airborne grime and rogue objects by using protective goggles. For maximum protection, we recommend using a pair that seals onto skin around the eye area, which ensures even the smallest of particles can’t get in.
Use Best Safety Practices When Lifting and Loading
Handling large and heavy items with care prevents injuries. It’s typically a good idea to start with the heaviest items first when loading your dumpster rental. For example, carrying a couch into an empty container is safer than dropping it into one that’s filled with debris. In the latter example, the weight of the couch will cause airborne grime and small pieces of debris to kick out, and you could sustain injury lifting the couch above the pile.
Lift as a team and wear back braces when moving heavy objects from the worksite into the rental dumpster. Finally, be mindful of the types of items that you load. Although dumpster rentals can accommodate most forms of waste and debris, there are exceptions. Avoid putting the following in your container rental:
- Appliances
- Propane tanks
- Tires
- Vehicle batteries
- Paint or paint cans
- Chemicals, solvents, oils, and liquids
- Any materials that are toxic or flammable
For those undergoing landscaping projects, yard waste is permissible, but it must be kept in a separate container.
Safeguard Children and Pets
Construction and renovation projects are no place for children and pets. Anything that’s a threat to you is a threat to them, too. You can mitigate their risk by keeping them clear of the work zone, the path between the work zone and your dumpster rental, and the dumpster rental itself. Consider hiring a sitter and boarding your pets to keep them out of harm’s way.
Successful Container Rental Use Starts with Safety
Although it can be easy to think of a container rental as a giant trash receptacle, using them is not without risk, especially when handling harmful debris. By following our safety best practices, you can keep loved ones out of harm’s way, mitigate injuries and health issues, and ensure a smooth experience during your next renovation or construction project.
Remember to choose the right size container rental, load items strategically, and review the safety guidelines with workers. Dumpster container rentals are easy and safe to use just so long as everyone takes the right precautions. Those who have additional queries about safe container use or how to rent one should contact their local dumpster rental provider.
