6 skip hire safety tips

If you intend to hire a skip to clear out some rubbish from your home, possibly created by recent DIY home improvements, it’s important that you load your skip in a safe manner. The following six tips will help you maintain a safe working environment for the benefit of both you and the other people around you.

1. Preparation

Prior to delivery you must carefully choose where to locate your skip to allow for easy loading that minimises the risk of injury. To achieve this you should select an area that is flat, stable and free of obstructions.

2. Skip delivery

When it comes to the day your skip is delivered you must give the driver clear instructions as to where and how you want the skip positioned. You must also make sure the immediate vicinity is clear of people, pets or children. Skips are very heavy, therefore you should not attempt to reposition the skip because you could cause injury to yourself or cause damage to your property.

3. Public Safety

If your skip needs to be located on a public road you will be need to get a skip permit from your local authority. We can secure this permit on your behalf.

4. Skip loading

The best way to fill a skip is to load all the larger/heavier items first and smaller items such as rubble and soil will fill in the gaps. However, when loading heavy items it is highly recommended that you seek an extra pair of hands. Because of the real risk of injuring your back you must pay particular attention to the way you lift heavy objects. You should always bend your knees and lift with your legs.

5. Don’t overfill your skip

One of the most dangerous scenarios is an overfilled skip and it is illegal for a skip hire company to move a skip that is overfilled. An overfilled skip is where the waste contents are protruding above the sides of the skip. So make sure you order a skip that is big enough in the first place to avoid having to order two skips.

6. Hazardous waste

Hazardous waste items should not be put in a skip. Items like asbestos, batteries, tyres or fridges have to be disposed of differently to the majority of building waste.

If you are considering hiring a skip, more information can be found here or contact us on 0800 083 7807 to find out how we can help.