In the world of construction, construction skip plays a vital role in ensuring good waste management on the site. Non-use of construction skip in the construction environment can pose a significant risk to workers and the work environment. It is often important that appropriate safety measure is put in place in the handling and managing construction skip so as to protect personnel and ensure there is smooth operation of the construction activities.
What are Construction Skips?
Construction skips are large containers that are always used to hold waste on the construction site. Though there are various sizes of skips, the primary function is to have waste temporarily before it is disposed of in the proper environment. They are designed to contain a range of materials, including concrete rubbles, concrete debris, wood, and metal. Specialized vehicles are often used to carry the skips from one location to the disposal sites. While skips serve their purposes on construction sites, improper use of them can cause accidents or myriad injuries to people.
Common Risks Associated with Construction Skips.
Some of the most common risks that are associated with construction skips include:
1. Overloading:
Overloaded skips are unstable and can tip or spill, posing hazards not only to the workers but also to the nearby pedestrians during movement.
2. Incorrect placement of the skip:
When skips are not correctly placed, they can obstruct the walkway or emergency exit, which can pose a significant danger to the workers or anyone who needs to access such an area.
3. Injury from Heavy Lifting:
Workers may be vulnerable to varying types of injuries when lifting waste into skips, including musculoskeletal injuries. Ensure proper lifting technique when handling waste in the skip.
4. Exposure to Hazardous Materials:
A waste skip can hold hazardous waste, which can expose workers to harm. Examples of dangerous waste in construction sites include asbestos, paints, and other materials.
Safety Measures for Using Construction Skips
While it is good to use skips to handle and manage waste on the construction site, safety precautions should also be taken when using them. Below are the safety measures to apply.
1. Get The Right Size of Skip.
The right size of the skip is paramount so that it doesn’t get overfilled and exceeds its weight limit. Some places will need a bigger or smaller skip, but the main thing is to make the right choice of skip to cater to the volume and type of waste.
2. Training.
Train all Workers handling skips on the safe use of the equipment. Training is the right way to pass safety information. The proper training should also cover several topics, such as understanding the types of materials suitable for disposal, proper lifting techniques, and how to identify hazardous materials.
3. Place the waste skip at strategic positions.
When you place the skip on your site, ensure that it is at locations that do not obstruct walkways, emergency exits, or necessary access points. Also, choose stable ground for
4. Have a regular inspection routine:
Create an inspecting routine for your skips to ensure they are free of damage and wear and they are vital for safety. Repair any damaged skip that is observed or replaced them immediately.
5. Clear Signage and marking.
Deploy clear markings and signage to indicate the presence of construction skips in your locations. To ensure clear visibility of the skips in low-light conditions and prevent collisions with moving equipment and people, consider placing reflective tape on the body of the skip to make it more visible.
6. Safe Loading Practices:
When moving items into the skips, ensure that you implement safe loading practices. Some of the safe loading practises that you can deploy are using appropriate lifting gear and equipment. Deploy hoists to reduce the risk of injury from manual lifting.
7. Use Proper Disposal Procedures:
During waste disposal, engage the services of trained professionals for hazardous waste and deploy appropriate containers. Handle all types of garbage appropriately.
8. Create an Emergency Plan.
Develop an emergency plan in case things go out of hand when handling the waste. The emergency plan can be relied on to know what to do. The emergency plan should be comprehensive enough to involve skip incidents. Ensure that all workers are familiar with the plan.
Conclusion.
Waste skip use should be carefully and safely done, as it is part of ensuring a safe working environment. When skips are carefully used, efficient waste management will be seen, and sites will be clean and organized.
In summary, construction skip safety is paramount, and a great deal of attention is needed so that the skips do not pose a danger on construction sites. Construction companies can always create a culture that promotes value and well-being by maintaining the safe use of construction skips, and this will lead to more successful and safe projects in the industry.
Onyeka Emma is a QHSE Professional with more than 10 years of experience in occupational health and safety, which spans many industries such as construction, beverage, oil and gas, etc. He has many health and safety certifications, including NEBOSH IGC, ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001:2015, and ISO 45001:2018 Lead auditor certificate. A member of IOSH, ISPON, and Nigeria Red Cross Society. He is interested in business, entrepreneurship, Speaking, and motivating people to do better for themselves. He enjoys leisure with a good motivational book.
