Custodial Trash Handling Guidelines

DO NOT TAKE or EMPTY:

Bags with chemicals or chemical bottles
Biohazard bags
Bags with dead animals or dead animal parts
Bags with syringes, needles, or broken pipettes / glassware
Any boxes that are not specifically labeled "trash" or "garbage"
Anything that looks like it doesn't belong in trash (i.e. may have fallen or been put in accidentally)

If any of these are found, report them to your supervisor.

WHAT TO WEAR

Wear gloves, either disposable or leather. Gloves will help protect you from sticky goo as well as bacteria, mold and such. If leather, they will help protect from punctures and cuts. If wearing disposable, and they seem to tear easily, you can double glove - take one pair that fits, and then cover them with a pair one size larger.
Do not wear open toed shoes or sandals. Full shoes will provide protection from accidental liquid/chemical spills as well as from impact in case you drop something on your foot.

TRASH HANDLING

When picking up bags, bend your knees slightly and use nearby desks or furniture to provide additional support with your free hand.
Never reach down into the can to pull out the bag. Either lift the can or lift the bag out of the can.
About 10 small cans' worth of bags may be collected into a larger bag, but there should be no more than three large bags per barrel. Large bags should never weigh more than 25 pounds apiece. If 25 pounds is too heavy for you to handle comfortably, break them up into smaller loads.
Tip barrels or cans slightly, or poke a hole in the top of the bag (with finger) in order to avoid the suction/vacuum problem caused when pulling very full bags and/or bags partially filled with air. Also poke hole in barrel liner when it fits too tightly over the rim of the barrel to allow air to move.
Bags leaking fluids, or in danger of bursting, etc. should be double bagged.
Push barrels instead of pulling, except when going through closed doors without assistance. You may also chock doors open in advance, but be sure to remove chocks as soon as you are finished.
Be sure to pay attention to your surroundings so that you don't trip, run into objects, or get hit by doors.

AT THE DUMPSTER

Use the side doors in tall dumpsters. If the dumpster is too full to use the side doors, ensure your bags are securely tied and double bagged, and leave them beside the dumpster (not in front).
Make sure the lids of top loading dumpsters are securely propped open before attempting to load trash bags. It is very hard on your back to try to lift a trash bag and hold open a dumpster lid at the same time.
Be careful handling dumpster lids in high winds. The wind can catch the lid and tear it out of your hands, or slam it down on your hand unexpectedly.
Make sure your hands are out of the way when closing dumpster lids.
If a top loading dumpster is too full to add any bags, ensure your bags are securely tied and double-bagged, and leave them beside the dumpster.
Don't ever climb into the dumpster.
When throwing bags into the dumpster from a barrel or cart, don't twist at the waist. Instead, move with your feet, and change directions with your whole body.

Whenever handling trash, remember to use proper body mechanics and protect your back!