Bob's Stabler 2023 Service Highlights Design Image - the importance of proper waste disposal to prevent hazards

23rd February 2022

Skiphire is undoubtedly one of the most efficient ways of dealing with the aftermath of your clearout, renovation or construction project – but are you aware of just how easily a skip can become a significant hazard?

An overloaded skip can cause damage not only to the skip and those working with it, but to the public in general. It is crucial to be aware of these dangers so you can take steps to avoid it. In this post, we’ll be going over some tips to help you properly load your skip:

1. Determine Which Size Skip You Need

One of the main dangers of an overloaded skip is that it can lead to tipping over, which can cause substantial property damage and injury to those nearby. Additionally, an overloaded skip forces an excessive amount of pressure on the skip loader or vehicle transporting it, leading to potential mechanical failures and even road accidents.

It’s for these reasons that it is important to select the appropriate size and determine the amount of waste that needs disposing of before hiring a skip. If you aren’t sure, consult with your skip hire company and they’ll be able to advise you on the best size to match your requirements.

2. Do Not Overfill The Skip

Regardless of size, a skip should never be filled above the top edge of its sides. This is because overfilling can cause debris to fall out during transportation, another potential cause of harm to people or property.

Every skip has a maximum fill line indicating the height to which it can be filled. If you spot your waste level starting to go beyond this line, it’s important to get in touch with your skip provider right away. They will be able to advise and arrange additional waste removal services if necessary. While this may result in further costs, it’s important to remember that an extra skip is less than the expenses associated with property damage or injury to bystanders!

3. Distribute Waste Evenly

When filling your skip, make sure to distribute the waste evenly. You want to prevent one side from becoming heavier than the other as this leads to instability. To optimise space usage, we recommend arranging your materials by weight. Begin by placing any lighter materials (i.e. polystyrene, cardboard) at the bottom of the skip and breaking down any waste where possible. Add the heavier items on top to compress the waste below and create more room in the skip as you go on.

What Happens If I Overfill My Skip?

Any reputable skiphire provider will refuse to take your skip away if they see that it has been overloaded.

This is because health and safety must remain top priority at all times and overloading your skip is actually illegal due to the numerous threats to safety that it poses. By not co-operating with these standards, waste removal companies run the risk of endangering the public, breaking the law and being on the receiving end of a hefty monetary fine.

It’s important to note that when you hire a skip, you are also agreeing to maintain this degree of responsibility; As such, not following the rules on overloading can also personally put you at risk of being fined by your local council.

This brings us to our final tip:

4. Hire A Reputable Skip Hire Company

It is essential to hire a trustworthy skip hire company that adheres to safety standards and can legally dispose of your waste. Check online reviews or ask for references to ensure you choose a reliable company.

If you’re based in either the East or North Yorkshire area and require reputable and affordable skip hire, contact Stabler Waste Management today. We have over 60 years experience providing expert waste removal services to both domestic and commercial clients across the region – from Scarborough and Bridlington to Filey, Hornsea, Driffield, Beverley, Malton, Pickering & beyond!

We have a range of skip sizes to suit all projects and are happy to advise on the right option for you.

In other news...

Your Recycling: Where Does It Go?

We at Stabler Waste Management have made a commitment to the environment. We’re dedicated to sustainable, efficient waste management practices and are proud to enforce a zero percent waste to landfill initiative – But, what does this actually mean for your recycling? In short, once your waste is collected by us, it is brought back […]

3 Reasons You Need Professional Asbestos Removal

While asbestos isn’t harmful when undisturbed, if the material is handled or broken it has the potential to release dangerous fibres. These can then become trapped in the nose, the throat’s mucus membrane, and the lungs — which can eventually lead to serious diseases. Asbestos is no longer used in properties, but it was a […]

7 Reasons to Use a Local Skip Hire Company to Dispose of Your Scrap Metals

Rather than allowing scrap metal to build up on your site, bring it to a licensed scrap dealer such as stabler waste management, we will buy all grades of scrap metals, both ferrous and non ferrous at competitive rates. All you need to bring is a photo ID and your bank details If you’re a contractor […]

The Dangers Of Overloading Your Skip (And How To Avoid It)