Dangers of Manual Dumpster Moving
Dumpsters are a perfect storm for employee injuries. The heavy weight and awkward size make them dangerous to push or pull manually without the aid of motorized equipment. The unnecessary risks include falls, slips, run-over feet, and collisions with cars or buildings.
More commonly, however, employees suffer musculoskeletal disorders from pushing or pulling dumpsters. These include muscle tears and strains, torn tendons, slipped discs, and other injuries to the neck, arms, back, and legs.
Why Workers Get Injured from Moving Dumpsters Manually
As Canada’s Ministry of Labour describes, moving a dumpster risks injury because it requires repetitive tasks and high force while promoting awkward postures.
- Repetitive stress injuries: Workers can develop conditions due to repeated, stressful actions without proper mechanics or sufficient rest time.
- Overexertion: Loaded dumpsters can weigh up to 10,000 pounds. No one can safely handle that weight 100% of the time.
- Mechanics and posture: The body is forced into high-stress labor at awkward positions when rolling a dumpster — especially over gravel, sleet, inclines, or other uneven surfaces.
What is the Employer’s Responsibility for Waste Handling Safety?
The U.S. and Canada each have federal and state-level guidelines for employer responsibility. In all cases, the employer must take action to prevent injuries and educate workers on how to use equipment safely.
To be safe, provide workers with battery-powered dumpster movers and train them on proper technique for lifting, pushing, and pulling heavy loads. These steps also protect the business from lost days and injury claims.
Take injury risk out of the equation as much as possible. Motorized dumpster movers from DJ Products mitigate the risk of debilitating musculoskeletal disorders and avoid the dangers of manual dumpster moving. Call a sales engineer today at 1-800-686-2651, or feel free to Contact Us through our website.