Yard Waste Hauling Safety Tips

Whether yard work is a favorite pastime or not, it's got to be done to keep your property looking its best. And, it's inevitable you'll have to deal with a downed tree, blighted bush, or other facts of nature. So, when it comes time for yard waste hauling, you can either skip it altogether by doing hot composting yard debris or deal with another way. But no matter what you ultimately decide, you must observe yard waste hauling safety protocols to avoid accidents.

Yard Waste Hauling Safety Tips

If you think yard work and landscaping isn't very dangerous, you might be surprised to learn an average of 13.3 per 100,000 grounds keeping crew members die each year as a result from injuries doing their work, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. And, it's not just the commercial realm these tragedies are limited to. About 17,000 children are injured in lawn mower incidents every year, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics.

People have different strategies for dealing with leaves and trimmings. Some choose simply to pay the expenses by using large bagging mowers and power chippers or hauling clippings away. Others choose to spend more effort than money, by mowing frequently in fall to shred leaves, or managing compost bins. Still others chooses to avoid practices known to create yard waste – excess fertilizing that produces excess lawn growth, for example, or landscaping with large or disease-prone trees and shrubs. --U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Yard work often results in small bruises and cuts but also causes severe lacerations, broken bones, and even death. Because many of the tools we use are so commonplace, we don't really think about how dangerous they really are. Just one trip on a downed tree branch can easily lead to a cut from a chainsaw or a fall onto a hard surface. This is why it is so important to know how to properly handle tools. Just something as simple as disposing of a BBQ grill can cause injury. So, here are some of the top yard waste hauling safety tips you can use:

• Keep tools organized. Tools serve different purposes and since we handle them so regularly, we forget what they can do if mishandled. For instance, a leaf rake left on the ground is a tripping hazard. A chainsaw or lawnmower is even more dangerous. Keep tool well-organized and always be aware of where they are located when doing any yard cleanup or work.
• Keep pets and children inside. Pets and children are curious creatures and some tools and materials might prove all too tempting. For this reason and more, it's a good policy to always keep kids and pets inside. They can watch out a window but only adults should be allowed to work outside.
• Breakdown big things into small ones. It's a good idea to handle smaller objects to avoid unnecessary injuries. For example, if you're dealing with a dying tree or a downed tree, cut it up into small sections, including the branches. This way, it's easier to carry and makes disposal a bit more simple.
• Don’t burn yard waste, unless allowed. Depending on your local municipality, you might or might not be allowed to burn yard waste. It's best to avoid doing this, even if it is allowed because it can easily burn out-of-control and that's not a risk worth taking.

When you need yard waste hauling, just phone 800-737-5923 or visit Pro Junk Dispatch. Our crew will help haul yard waste off your property so you don’t have to take more time out of your schedule. Give us a call today!