Dumpster rental is an affordable, easy way to remove unwanted items, trash, or debris. However, a dumpster can also be a quick and easy route to injuries, and there’s a right and wrong way when safely loading dumpsters. Safety is paramount for any cleanup, whether at home or for a commercial project. Injuries can be a problem during any standard cleanup, and some preparation can save a lot of possible issues. Use this guide to learn how to load a dumpster safely to avoid serious injury.
Wear Protective Gear
The first step to safely loading a dumpster should be wearing protective gear such as thick gloves and steel-tipped boots. Depending on what you clean up, you might need additional protection, like goggles.
Protective gear can prevent the most common dumpster site injuries. This includes objects that might be dropped or slip from one’s grip. Essential safety gear stands between you and a potential injury: why skip it?
Choose the Right Size When Renting a Dumpster
Choose the right-sized dumpster for your load. You’ll reduce the likelihood of any potential injuries. Dumpsters that are too small might lead to overfilling the dumpster. Larger-than-life dumpsters present several risks.
Always consider the collective size of your trash, and match the dumpster’s size to this as closely as you can. If that’s not enough size, request a second dumpster. That is the safer option.
Don’t Just Pick Up Items!
Never simply pick up items to throw them in a dumpster. When loading a dumpster, always:
- Ensure to have a proper grip on what you’re picking up
- Check the items for any possible unexpected sharp edges
- Look out for potential pests. Trash that’s been standing around for a while might be home to snakes or rodents.
Never throw hazardous materials such as chemicals, pesticides, paint or batteries into the dumpster. Always load trash into a dumpster carefully and safely!
Safely Loading Dumpsters and Minding the Weight Limit
Keep in mind the weight limit of your roll-off dumpster rental. This should be specified by the dumpster rental company. Sometimes, the weight limit is obviously printed on the side of the dumpster.
Never overload a dumpster, as this can cause overflow. An overloaded dumpster also means an unexpectedly heavy pickup, which could cause serious injuries during lift and transit.
An overloaded dumpster can slip and might cause much more serious injury than anyone expects. However, sticking to the weight limit ensures that everyone around the dumpster is safe.
Properly Loading Dumpsters: Heavy to Lighter Materials
Load a dumpster from heavy to lighter materials. Particular attention should be paid to the base of what’s in the dumpster. Load the large items, heavy items, and bulky items first.
Loading a roll-off dumpster this way creates more space for the remaining smaller pieces. Efficient loading maximizes space and creates a safer, weighted base for the contents.
Without this important preparation step, you risk that items are going to be crushed by the weight of something else. This is dangerous anywhere items could be sharp or shoot upwards to injure anyone up top.
Always load items heavy-to-light, and mind what you might be putting in there next.
Even Distribution
For safe loading, it’s always best that items are distributed evenly. Never overload one side of the dumpster with bigger items such as furniture, appliances, and other heavy items, and throw all the light items into the other. This can cause it to tip when being loaded for removal.
Even distribution is safe distribution. It also leaves more space when things are carefully planned ahead of time. Preparation saves a lot of time.
Safely Loading Dumpsters from the Sides
The best way to ensure you’ve got safe, even distribution of items is by loading from the sides. Loading from the sides guarantees that everything goes where it should. You’re more likely to be able to step away from the sides if something gets dropped.
A dumpster cleanup doesn’t have to be a high-risk job.
Preparation is key.
Litter Getter Dumpster Rentals in Kansas City
It’s easy to order a dumpster from Litter Getter! After you’ve chosen your perfect dumpster, it’s time to book your commercial or residential dumpster rental. Contact our office by phone, or email, or book your dumpster rental online!
Sit back and relax! Your roll-off dumpster will arrive on your scheduled drop-off day! You don’t even have to be there!
