Tipping Skips Improve Site Waste Handling

Waste management is one of the biggest challenges of any site, and the accumulation of waste on a construction site is only worsened by the numerous other activities on the site. Using tipping skips is an efficient method of waste management. This article outlines what they are, the sites best suited to their use, and how best to utilise them on a site in the UK.

What Is a Tipping Skip?

A tipping skip is a heavy-duty steel container, which, like a standard skip, is loaded with waste and then transported to a disposal point. Unlike a standard skip, a tipping skip is then tipped to empty its contents. Because a tipping skip is emptied on site, it can be reused several times in a day, and is thus much more efficient than a standard skip.

Where They Work Best

Constant, dispersed waste production is a hallmark of the best uses of a tipping skip. Refurbishment and fitting out, as well as standard building and groundworks, benefit most from the use of a tipping skip.

Always look at a range of tipping skips when choosing equipment. Capacity, fork pockets, safe working loads and other factors should be clearly marked on the tips skips in question.

Choosing The Right Size & Capacity

Think about the type of waste first. Brick, concrete and soil, for example, are dense and heavy materials, and a smaller skip with a bigger, more robust side, is a better choice than a larger skip which is more easily overloaded. Lighter materials such as timber, plastics and packaging could be loaded into a larger skip. The rated capacity should always be checked and the skip should never be loaded above this. A skip that is half full of rubble, for example, could already be full.

Safe Handling and Lifting

Skips should never be lifted by untrained personnel. Before a skip is lifted, the route should be clear of people. The load should be as even as possible, and the forks should be fully engaged. Skip travel should be kept as low as possible and the load should be tipped only in a designated area. No one should be in the area when a skip is lifted.

There are accessories and attachments for lifting equipment which, under the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations, require examinations at prescribed intervals. For a tipping skip, a quick visual check before each use is good practice. Look for defects in welds or cracks, bent forks pockets, worn pivots or tips, or damaged latches.

Segregating Waste

Segregating waste saves money and aids compliance with the environmental impact. Where possible have separate skips for timber, metal, plastics and general waste. Proper labels facilitate correct waste placement. Metals and clean timber may be recycled, hence further reducing landfill waste. Also, under the duty of care you have to document that the waste has been taken away by an authorised waste carrier.

Keeping the Site Tidy

An orderly site is a safer site. Skips should be placed in convenient locations, not in a way that blocks any means of access or blocks an emergency exit. An overflowing skip can present a slip hazard, especially if the waste is windy. If a skip is placed near a public boundary it should either be covered securely or contained.

Maintenance and Storage

Rinse out skips when they start to build up a lot of dirt, and touch up paint where it gets nicked to prevent corrosion. Grease the pivots and check that latches move freely. When not in use, store them on level ground away from walkways. A skip that is properly maintained can have a long life and remain safe for use.

Planning Ahead

Waste is generated at some point during the construction process. Knowing this, you can predetermine where skips need to be placed. This process encourages proper planning and can help save time and money during the construction process. This leaves room for other aspects of the project to be dealt with, including the time and money saved.

Final Thoughts

Efficient handling of waste is one aspect of managing a site that requires professionalism. Using skips the right way, and keeping up with routine inspections can make a lot of difference. There are different skips available to use, and each one has its own benefits. Using skips the right way and at the right time can help meet organisation goals set during the project.