Unloading a portable unit is something that handlers need to do with the best of care to ensure that no one suffers an injury on the job. Portable restrooms are a necessity for public events, construction sites, and many other circumstances in which permanent fixtures aren’t available. Transporting a portable restroom can be perilous, though, if you aren’t careful. You need to adhere to all transit protocols established by the manufacturer and ensure that the unit remains upright at all times. You must also take the size and weight of the unit into account throughout the process.
The Portable Unit Path
What other steps do you need to take to ensure safety in portable unit unloading?
Plan a Path for Transport
Planning your path is the first step toward the safe transportation of a portable toilet. The last thing you want is to trip or slip, causing an injury or even necessitating an insurance claim. Septic and sewer insurance policies may not cover injuries like this, so you must be careful by planning your path. Look at the available route and ensure that there are no obstacles that may be hazardous.
Unload the Restroom Carefully
Once you’ve assessed the path ahead, you can proceed to unload the restroom. Always position the unit so that its door is inward, not outward, and identify an exit point that does not have obstacles or traffic. At this point, you should position the portable toilet so that it is at the edge of the trailer deck or tailgate. Using a hand truck, you can then slowly tilt the unit backward, ensuring that it doesn’t fall. Wheel it forward, carefully balancing the unit on the hand truck.
Always Push, Never Pull
You must always push a unit — never pull. Pulling the unit will likely cause it to tip over, which will quickly create a mess — but more importantly, it’s a significant safety hazard, too. If anybody happens to be in the path of the unit when pulled forward, they could easily be injured when it falls. It is true even if only a limb is in its path. You must prevent injuries by pushing the unit and using a hand truck to do so.
Don’t Make Any Unsafe Movements
In addition to preventing injuries to others, you should be careful to avoid any injuries you could sustain. Suffering an injury during a portable toilet happens because of improper movement. While you are using the hand truck to move it, you should be sure to follow all safety protocols for correct usage. It includes avoiding any movement that may cause a strain and being careful not to overexert yourself.
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