Safety Training and Accident Prevention

Any company dealing with waste materials and heavy equipment is required by state and federal law to abide by both state and federal OSHA regulations regarding the movement and transfer of waste materials in addition to handling equipment safely.

The portable restroom rental industry involves waste management/transfer, the use of chemicals, road transport and heavy machinery in business practices, so it is crucial that safety training and accident prevention is taken into account when hiring and training new employees, creating safety manuals and providing accident prevention techniques and practices for day-to-day operations. Not only is the safety of employees at stake, but violations can result in hefty fines and even the revocation of a business license if regulations are not followed.

Safety training is first and foremost an aspect of job training that is ongoing, even on a daily basis. Safety measures and precautions should be a daily reminder from management whether it is a checklist before a driver leaves for a delivery or a training meeting once a month per OSHA requirements. Healthcare often goes hand-in-hand with safety training and accident prevention as most accidents are then followed up by workman’s compensation, insurance claims and damage control. Taking necessary steps to keep employees aware of safety and training for accident prevention curbs the often expensive result of an accident or damage control.

Many portable restroom rental businesses find that daily reminders, safety huddles and pre-trip inspections for drivers work well in accident prevention and safety training. An example of a daily reminder might be a dispatcher who is checking in with a driver on the way to a delivery. A dispatcher will call the driver, ask what the road conditions are like, ask questions about safety and answer any questions or concerns the driver might have. This way, the driver is prompted to remain aware of his or her surroundings while remaining conscious of safety measures that are important to the company.

Safety huddles create camaraderie as well as a unified approach to safety and accident prevention. OSHA requires one meeting a month, but it is a better idea to meet once a week as a team to go over any safety measures and regulations needed to create a safe atmosphere for your team to work within.

In the portable restroom rental industry, these are some common, but preventable accidents alongside solutions and better business practices:

• Rotator cuff injuries: Rotator cuff injuries are one of the more common injuries in the portable restroom rental industry. These injuries can occur from the repetition of loading and unloading units as well as wrapping hoses. Proper training regarding loading and unloading can help prevent these costly injuries, as well as performance check-ins and weekly reminders.
• Driving-related accidents: Drivers of septic trucks and flatbed delivery vehicles are at risk for accidents while they drive, just like any other driver on the road. Frequent check-ins, driving evaluations and pre-delivery inspections can help maintain safe driving practices as well as prevent costly errors. Pre-delivery inspections cover brake checks, removing dashboard clutter, checking headlights, supply inventory, equipment checks and more.
• Chemical handling: Portable restrooms require servicing, and some materials used to clean tanks and toilets are hazardous. Necessary precautions like using gloves and masks might be required depending on the brand being used.

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