How Dumpsters Can Be Dangerous At A Construction Site

Apr 16, 2021

Construction debris and waste can be potentially hazardous to the health, especially when it is not quickly taken care of. Not all materials are dangerous, but if not disposed properly in the dumpster, it can cause havoc to health, water and the environment as well as personal injury construction accidents. In fact, there are a number of government regulations and laws that require construction materials to be managed and disposed properly. Therefore, the law is in your corner when it comes to being around toxic materials that could make you sick. Some of these materials include asbestos, paint, treated wood, roofing tars, and solvent waste. It is important that the contractor find appropriate ways to remove, transport and dispose of these materials using the right procedures and conduits. In the case that you are injured at a construction site due to hazardous materials, you may have to seek the help of a personal injury lawyer in Brooklyn, if you reside in the area.

For their part, hazardous waste represents 2% of construction waste. The hazardous waste as their name suggests, contain toxic substances. In this category, you will find:

  • Oils
  • Tar
  • Hydrocarbons and their derivatives
  • Battery
  • Asbestos
  • Lead
  • Device and products containing PCB or fluorinated gases
  • Gas bottles or gas cylinder
  • Paints and varnishes
  • Disposal of Hazardous Waste

The hazardous waste (products and their possible containers) require special treatment during collection. They must absolutely not be mixed with other waste and must be packaged and labeled, which requires human hands and machines. If they cannot be recovered, hazardous waste is stored in ISDDs: hazardous waste storage facilities.

Hazardous waste is waste constituting a risk to health or the environment. Among these construction wastes are explosive waste, flammable construction waste, carcinogenic waste, irritant waste, oxidizing waste, ecotoxic waste, and many others. This waste and all the elements coming into direct contact with the hazardous materials must be stored packed, separated from each other, in sealed containers to avoid any risk of a dangerous chemical reaction. However, in the process of removing it from the construction site and taking it to the storage facility, humans can come in contact with the hazardous waste, risking their health and wellbeing.

Contact a Lawyer

Levitsky Law Firm has a team of personal injury attorneys Brooklyn that can inform you about your legal rights upon being exposed to hazardous material in a dumpster accident. You should schedule a consultation to discuss the details of your situation. Don’t wait too long to do so because your health could be at risk.