SCRAP YARD SAFETY GUIDE

Protecting Employees, Customers & Pedestrians

Safety is not just a rule — it is a responsibility we all share.

Scrap yards are active, fast-paced industrial environments. Heavy machinery, sharp materials, unstable loads, and vehicle traffic create serious hazards at every turn. This safety guide has been developed to ensure that everyone who enters or works near a scrap yard — whether an employee, a customer, or a passerby — understands the risks present and knows how to stay safe. Please read this guide carefully and follow all posted rules and instructions from staff at all times.

SECTION 1: EMPLOYEE SAFETY

Employees are the backbone of scrap yard operations. Working daily with heavy machinery, hazardous materials, and moving vehicles demands strict adherence to safety protocols. The following guidelines are mandatory for all employees.

1.1  Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

All employees must wear appropriate PPE at all times while on the yard floor or any active work area. The following equipment is required:

• Hard hat at all times in designated areas
• High-visibility (hi-vis) vest or jacket
• Steel-toed safety boots — no exceptions
• Heavy-duty work gloves when handling materials
• Safety glasses or face shield when cutting, grinding, or shredding
• Hearing protection in high-noise zones such as shredder areas
• Respiratory protection when working with dust, fumes, or hazardous materials

1.2  Machinery and Equipment Operation

Operating any machinery — including forklifts, cranes, balers, shredders, and loaders — requires proper authorization and current training certification. Employees must:

• Never operate equipment without completing the required training and sign-off
• Perform a pre-operation inspection (walk-around check) before each shift
• Report any mechanical defects, unusual sounds, or fluid leaks immediately to a supervisor
• Never exceed rated load capacities for any lifting equipment
• Maintain a minimum 20-foot clearance zone around active cranes and magnets
• Keep all bystanders and coworkers out of the swing radius of heavy machinery
• Shut down and lock out/tag out equipment before performing any maintenance or inspection

1.3  Hazardous Materials Handling

Scrap yards regularly handle materials that may contain hazardous substances including fuel, oil, coolant, batteries, asbestos-containing parts, and refrigerants. Employees must:

• Follow all federal, state, and local hazmat regulations for draining, handling, and disposing of fluids
• Never puncture pressurized vessels such as propane tanks, gas cylinders, or aerosol cans
• Segregate and store hazardous materials in clearly labeled, approved containers
• Know the location of and how to use Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for all chemicals on site
• Report any spills immediately and contain them using on-site spill kits

1.4  Traffic and Pedestrian Safety on the Yard

Vehicle and pedestrian conflicts are among the leading causes of injury in scrap yards. All employees must:

• Use designated pedestrian walkways and never walk in active vehicle travel lanes
• Maintain constant eye contact with all vehicle operators before crossing any path
• Never assume a vehicle operator can see you — always make yourself visible
• Enforce and respect posted speed limits (typically 5–10 mph on yard premises)
• Ensure customers and visitors are always escorted by an employee while on the yard floor

1.5  Emergency Procedures

Every employee must be trained and prepared to respond to emergencies:

• Know the location of all fire extinguishers, first aid kits, eyewash stations, and emergency exits
• In the event of a fire, evacuate the area immediately and call 911 — do not attempt to fight industrial fires alone
• Report all injuries, near-misses, and unsafe conditions to a supervisor immediately
• Participate in all required safety drills, toolbox talks, and training sessions
• Emergency contact number must be posted at all yard stations and office locations

REMEMBER

If you see something unsafe, say something. All employees have the authority — and the responsibility — to stop work if a task is unsafe.

SECTION 2: CUSTOMER SAFETY

We welcome customers and value your business. However, a scrap yard is an active industrial site, and the safety rules that apply here are as serious as those on any construction or manufacturing site. By entering our facility, customers agree to follow all safety requirements listed below.

2.1  Check-In and Escort Policy

All customers must check in at the front office or weigh station upon arrival. No customer is permitted to enter the active yard area without authorization:

• All customers must check in before proceeding past the designated entry point
• Customers wishing to access the yard floor must be accompanied by an authorized employee escort at all times
• Children under 18 are strictly prohibited from entering the yard floor — no exceptions
• Pets must remain in vehicles and are not permitted on the yard premises
• Do not enter restricted zones, storage areas, or any area marked with warning signs

2.2  Required Safety Equipment for Customers

Before entering any active yard area, customers must be equipped with or provided the following safety gear:

• Closed-toe shoes or work boots — sandals, flip-flops, and open-toe footwear are strictly prohibited
• High-visibility vest (available to borrow at the front office)
• Long pants and sleeves are strongly recommended to protect against cuts and scrapes
• Safety glasses when in areas where metal cutting, sorting, or grinding is in progress

2.3  Vehicle and Traffic Rules for Customers

Customers arriving by vehicle must comply with the following traffic rules to prevent accidents on site:

• Follow all posted signs, speed limits, and directional arrows throughout the facility
• Do not exit your vehicle until directed to a safe, designated stopping area by staff
• Never park in front of gates, fire lanes, weigh scales, or loading/unloading zones
• Turn off your engine and engage the parking brake before unloading any materials
• Never back your vehicle without a spotter if your view is obstructed
• Be aware that forklifts, cranes, and heavy loaders may cross traffic lanes at any time

2.4  Material Drop-Off and Handling

When dropping off or selling scrap materials, customers must follow these safety guidelines:

• Do not throw, toss, or drop materials from a vehicle — unload carefully to prevent injury
• Notify staff immediately if your load contains batteries, fuel tanks, propane cylinders, asbestos, or any potentially hazardous items
• Do not bring sealed containers, pressurized tanks, or explosive devices onto the property
• All materials are subject to inspection by staff before acceptance
• Customers may not sort through piles, bins, or yard stock without explicit permission from an employee

2.5  Behavior and Conduct

To maintain a safe environment for everyone, all customers must:

• Follow all verbal and written instructions from yard employees and management at all times
• Do not distract machinery operators, crane operators, or any employee actively operating equipment
• Refrain from smoking except in designated smoking areas away from fuel, fluids, or combustible materials
• Report any unsafe conditions, injuries, or emergencies to yard staff immediately
• Failure to comply with safety rules may result in removal from the premises

FOR YOUR SAFETY

Yard equipment operates continuously and operators may not always see you. Stay with your escort, stay alert, and never assume you have the right of way over moving machinery.

SECTION 3: PEDESTRIAN AND PUBLIC SAFETY

Scrap yard operations can create hazards not only within the facility, but also along public roads and sidewalks nearby. The following guidelines are intended to protect pedestrians who may be adjacent to our facility — as well as to inform the public about what to expect when passing by a scrap yard.

3.1  Staying Clear of the Perimeter

The area immediately surrounding a scrap yard can be as dangerous as the interior. Members of the public should:

• Never walk along fence lines, gates, or walls bordering an active scrap yard
• Do not attempt to look through fences, climb barriers, or access the property without authorization
• Be aware that cranes and magnets may extend above the fence line and drop materials without warning
• Steer clear of yard access gates, especially during opening and closing hours when heavy vehicles frequently enter and exit

3.2  Road and Intersection Safety Near the Facility

Scrap yard facilities generate significant truck traffic on adjacent roads. Pedestrians in the vicinity should exercise extra caution:

• Large trucks carrying scrap metal have wide turning radii — give them plenty of space at intersections
• Trucks may have impaired rearward visibility — never stand or walk directly behind a large vehicle
• Materials may occasionally fall from trucks traveling on public roads — maintain a safe following distance if driving
• Use designated crosswalks and pedestrian crossing signals when crossing roads near the facility
• Do not assume a truck driver can see you — make eye contact with the driver before crossing in front of any vehicle

3.3  Noise, Dust, and Environmental Awareness

Scrap yard operations produce noise, vibration, airborne particles, and occasionally odors from fluid-bearing materials. Pedestrians and nearby residents should be aware:

• Avoid prolonged exposure to noise from yard operations — shredders and balers can exceed 100 dB at range
• During dusty or windy conditions, cover your nose and mouth or move away from the facility perimeter
• If you notice unusual odors, smoke, or fire near the facility, move away and call 911 immediately
• Do not pick up any scrap materials, debris, or objects that may have fallen outside the facility boundary — these may have sharp edges, contain fluids, or be structurally unstable

3.4  Reporting Hazards to the Public

The scrap yard takes its responsibility to the surrounding community seriously. Members of the public who observe potential hazards are encouraged to:

• Contact the facility office directly to report any visible safety concerns along the perimeter or at entry/exit points
• Call 911 in the event of an emergency, fire, injury, or major spill originating from the facility
• Report fallen debris, open gates, or fence damage to both the facility and local authorities as appropriate
• Never attempt to enter the property to address a concern yourself — always notify staff or emergency services

PUBLIC NOTICE

This is an active industrial facility. Unauthorized entry is prohibited and dangerous. If you have questions or concerns, please contact the facility office directly.

A Safe Yard Is Everyone’s Responsibility

Whether you work here, do business here, or simply pass by — your safety matters to us. Follow the rules, respect the hazards, and look out for one another. Thank you for helping us maintain a safe environment for all.