The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has specific requirements for trash cans in the workplace. These requirements are designed to protect workers from injuries and to keep the workplace clean and safe. Employers must ensure that all trash cans are properly labeled and that they are placed in appropriate locations.
The OSHA trash can requirements are contained in these following standards:
- 29 CFR 1910.141 - Sanitation - 1910.141(g)(3) specifies receptacles for waste food. This regulation that receptacles must be constructed in corrosion-resistant material and these receptacles must be emptied out at least once a day; the receptacles must be fitted with tight over to prevent the contents from spilling over. Read more here about this OSHA requirement.
- 29 CFR 1910.141(a)(4)(i) - of the same standards as state above, specifies containers for putrescible solid or liquid waste or refuse should not leak and be maintained in good sanitary condition so that these receptacles should not post health risk in the workplace. In addition, these receptacles must have tight cover. Containers maintained in good sanitary condition can not have fitting or cover. Learn more here about this OSHA standard.
- 29 CFR 1910.1030 Bloodborne Pathogen Standards, specifically the (d)(4)(iii)(A)(1) that dictates that containers for this specific purpose should be closable, puncture resistant to prevent leak, labeled and colored accordingly for easy identification. Other OSHA trash can requirements are stated in this standard. To learn more about this standards, please follow this page.
- 29 CFR 1915.81 - Housekeeping - specifically the 1915.81(a)(5) that says that the employer shall remove of flammable materials, such as woods, solvents, waste cartons, scraps, and other combustible waste in the workplace, or store these materials in covered fire-resistant containers (trash can) at the end of each job shift or when the job is completed, whichever occurs first. See this page to know more about this standard.
- 29 CFR 1926.252 - Disposal of Waste Materials, specifically the 1926.252(e) that dictates all flammable liquids (paint, thinner, and other liquids that easily caught fire) shall be stored in fire-resistant containers (receptacle) with cover until removed from workplace. To read about this requirement, please see this page.
Improving Workplace and Safety Through Housekeeping
Whatever size the workplace is, it is important to to designate an amount of time for housekeeping in the workplace, it is important that all workers participate.
In my previous employer I worked for before which is a construction company, we do performed housekeeping every Thursday at 4PM weekly.
All employees in the jobsite and in the office are required to participate.
Trash bags are given to workers to collect debris, trash, unwanted materials in respective areas. Large trash containers are positioned in key areas - in the construction area, in the camp, in the laydown area and in the assembly area near the office.
Putting the trash in the bags is important. The purpose is to group the collected materials and trash into non-recyclable and recyclable. In that way, the collectors can easily identify which trash containers have to be collected first to deliver to recycling plant.
Housekeeping is important to maintain the workplace in good sanitary condition and to remove debris that could post risk to workers.
General Requirements for Trash Cans
All workplaces must have adequate trash cans to collect garbage and prevent litter. The size and number of cans will vary depending on the size and layout of the facility, but all cans should be made of durable materials that can be easily cleaned. All cans should be clearly labeled with the word “Trash” in a conspicuous location.
Trash cans should be placed in strategic locations throughout the workplace to encourage employees to use them. Cans should be placed near workstations, in break rooms, and in common areas. They should be placed in a way that does not create a safety hazard or impede foot traffic.
Trash cans should be emptied regularly to prevent them from becoming overloaded and attracting pests. The frequency of emptying will depend on the amount of garbage generated by the facility, but cans should be emptied at least once per day. Employees should be instructed to place all garbage in the cans, and not to leave garbage outside of the cans.
If a facility generates a large amount of garbage, additional trash cans may be needed. The additional cans should be placed in the same strategic locations as the original cans.
Adequate Number of Trash Cans Must Be Provided
In summary, all workplaces must have adequate trash cans to collect garbage and prevent litter. The size and number of cans will vary depending on the size and layout of the facility, but all cans should be made of durable materials that can be easily cleaned. All cans should be clearly labeled with the word “Trash” in a conspicuous location. Trash cans should be placed in strategic locations throughout the workplace to encourage employees to use them.
Cans should be placed near workstations, in break rooms, and in common areas. They should be placed in a way that does not create a safety hazard or impede foot traffic. Trash cans should be emptied regularly to prevent them from becoming overloaded and attracting pests. The frequency of emptying will depend on the amount of garbage generated by the facility, but cans should be emptied at least once per day.
Employees should be instructed to place all garbage in the cans, and not to leave garbage outside of the cans. If a facility generates a large amount of garbage, additional trash cans may be needed. The additional cans should be placed in the same strategic locations as the original cans.
Size and Placement of Trash Cans
The purpose of this section is to provide guidance on the size and placement of trash cans in the workplace. While there is no specific OSHA regulation governing the size or placement of trash cans, there are several other agencies that have established guidelines. The National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) has established standards for the storage and disposal of combustible waste, which includes trash.
In general, trash cans should be placed in locations that will not create a fire hazard and should be of a size that will not allow waste to accumulate. The NFPA standards require that trash cans be placed a minimum of 10 feet from any structure. In addition, trash cans should be placed away from areas where they may be knocked over or where they may block exit doors or walkways.
The size of the trash can should be based on the amount of waste generated in the area. For example, a small office with only a few employees may only need a small trash can, while a larger office or factory may need a larger can. In general, it is best to err on the side of a larger trash can to avoid having to empty it too often.
Proper Handling of Trash
- It must be made of durable materials that can withstand the elements and repeated use.
- It must have tight-fitting lids to prevent rodents and other pests from getting inside.
- Receptacles for collecting this specific purpose must be labeled with the words "Trash" or "Garbage" in a clear and visible manner.
- It must be emptied on a regular basis and the contents disposed of in a sanitary manner.
- It must be kept clean and free of debris at all times.
- It must be placed in a location that is away from high traffic areas.
- All trash cans must be placed in a location that is away from food preparation areas.
- All trash cans must be placed in a location that is away from exits and stairways.
- All trash cans must be placed in a location that is away from air intakes and ventilation systems.
Recycling Should be in the Disposal Plan
OSHA requires all businesses to have trash cans that are easily accessible to employees and that are big enough to hold all of the trash generated by the business. The trash cans must also be covered to keep pests out and to prevent trash from blowing around. Businesses must also have a plan for disposing of trash, which should include recycling.
Composting to Reduce Trash Volume
There are many benefits to composting, including reducing the amount of trash that goes to landfills, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and improving soil health. OSHA has specific requirements for trash cans that are used for composting, to ensure that the process is safe and effective.
The trash cans must be made of durable material that can withstand the elements, and must be properly ventilated to allow for air flow. The cans must also be labeled clearly, so that workers know which materials are safe to compost.
Maintenance and Sanitation
OSHA has specific requirements for the use of trash cans in the workplace. These requirements are designed to protect workers from injuries, fires, and other hazards associated with the use of trash cans.
All trash cans must be made of fire-resistant materials. They must also be equipped with lids that fit snugly to prevent fire and smoke from escaping. The bottom of the trash can must be free of holes or cracks to prevent water or other liquids from seeping in and causing a fire.
Trash cans must be placed in well-ventilated areas to prevent the build-up of fumes. They must also be kept away from heat sources, such as radiators, stoves, and heaters.
OSHA requires that all trash cans be emptied regularly to prevent them from becoming overloaded and posing a hazard. The frequency of emptying will depend on the type and amount of waste being generated.
In general, OSHA requires that trash cans be cleaned on a regular basis to prevent the build-up of dirt and debris. They should be wiped down with a disinfectant solution at least once a week. More frequent cleaning may be necessary in areas where food is prepared or handled.
Special Considerations
There are a few special considerations to take into account when selecting OSHA-compliant trash cans. The first is the material the can is made from. Trash cans be made of corrosion-resistant material, so stainless steel or aluminum are good choices. The second consideration is the size of the can. Trash cans have a capacity of at least 20 gallons, so make sure to select a can that is large enough to meet this requirement of your workplace. Consider the type of lid the can has. OSHA requires that trash cans have lids that fit snugly and are secured to the can to prevent contents from spilling out.
To Make a Conclusion
There are many different types of trash cans, each with their own specific purpose. However, there are some general requirements that all trash cans must meet in order to be OSHA compliant.
All trash cans must be made of durable materials that can withstand regular use. They must also be easy to clean and maintain, with smooth surfaces that are free of sharp edges or corners. The lid must fit securely on the top of the can, and there should be a way to seal the lid tightly to prevent leaks or spills.
The size of the trash can will vary depending on its intended use, but it must be large enough to accommodate the amount of waste that will be generated. OSHA also requires that all trash cans be clearly labeled with their intended purpose. This helps to ensure that waste is disposed of properly and helps to keep the work environment clean and safe.
