People do silly things all the time. They hit their thumbs while hammering nails. They fall down the last step on the stairs.
But most folks have some common sense. You wouldn’t grab a steaming dish from the oven without an oven mitt or hot pad, right? If you break a glass, you tell everyone around you to make certain they’re wearing shoes.
“Look out! I broke a glass!”
The team here at Bee Green Recycling has a good bit of common sense. Some of the materials that we deal with have sharp edges. There are machines whirring about and heavy equipment moving across the floor. They know to take precautions.
Here are some commonsense tips for safely salvaging and collecting scrap metal:
Scrap metal is inherently dangerous. There are sharp edges that can cut and puncture. Things get rusty. Some materials contain toxic minerals or chemicals. Some of it is simply heavy.
The most common injuries associated with salvaging scrap metal are about what you would expect: Strains, bruises, cuts, and slips & falls. But folks have been more seriously injured. We’ve heard of people getting impaled from falling into a dumpster of scrap. A poorly stacked load can slip and crush a limb. A poorly secured load can cause an accident as you transport your scrap, injuring you or another driver.
What can you do?
- Dress for the Job.
Look at the materials you’re handling. Long pants are a must, and long sleeves are a bonus. You don’t want anything that’s going to snag on something or get caught in moving machinery, but certainly something that protects your skin. You also need proper footwear: sturdy soles, closed toes. Gloves will help to protect your hands, and protective eyeware will protect you from flying debris.
- Have the Right Tools.
You need a hammer to pound a nail, right? Some of the places you’re going for scrap may be a bit out of reach. So, think ladders to reach it, and ropes or chains to get it out. Those ropes and chains can also help you secure your load of scrap. Tools like a small torch or portable saw can help you take larger pieces down to something more manageable.
- Look at it first.
When you see cannisters and tanks, they may have a high value in scrap metal. Think about what they held before they got thrown away. You might not want to take a blowtorch to a tank that may still contain some propane. When you twist a knob to check a tank, a dangerous gas may come spewing out.
- Think Like a Boy Scout.
What’s the Scout’s Motto? “Be Prepared.” It’s good to scrap with a partner. If you’ve broken your leg, you’ll need them. Have your phone with you in case you need to call 911. And have a first aid kit handy for treating cuts and scrapes.
If you pay attention to what you’re doing and play it smart, collecting scrap can put some smart money in your wallet. If you’re careless, you’ll pay in the long run.
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