Safety First: Keep Your Fingers While You Keep Making Money

June is National Safety Month, an annual observance focused on promoting safety in our workplaces, communities, and homes.  

During National Safety Month—and all year round—WV Cashin’ Recyclables is proud to reinforce our commitment to the safety of our employees and customers as they interact around our facility and equipment. 

“We joke that whether you work with us or bring your scrap or recycling to us, we want you to make money and also keep all your fingers,” says Jeff Baird, WV Cashin’s Safety Operations Manager.  

“But in all seriousness, as with all facilities like ours, there are potential hazards that demand everyone to stay smart, be careful, and remain vigilant.”  

Our team receives ongoing safety training 

Upon being hired, WV Cashin’ team members receive hazard assessment training and orientation to learn about the dangers of their jobs. Depending on their role, they’re also trained and become certified to use equipment such as wire strippers, cut-off saws, and cutting torches.  

Forklift operators undergo an extensive certification process that includes classroom instruction, a written examination, and supervised driving. Those operating other heavy equipment, such as skid-steer loaders and powered material handlers must complete an equipment-specific certification process. 

Team members are required to stay within slow speed limits within the facility yard and must wear personal protective equipment (PPEs), including gloves, eye/face protection, and steel-toed boots.  

In addition, all team members attend safety meetings twice a month and complete refresher courses annually. Topics covered include respirator use, first aid, and fire prevention.   

Keeping customers safe 

WV Cashin’ is committed to keeping customers safe—a necessity at a facility such as ours where there is large equipment in use, including balers and conveyor belts, that have moving parts and operate at fast speeds.  

“Remember, scrap metal doesn’t care how strong you are,” Jeff says. “It can hurt anyone not paying attention.” 

Jeff reminds visitors to stay alert and maintain caution around all the heavy equipment used at our facility. These include large trucks and forklifts, whose drivers or operators may have limited visibility. 

He offers the following safety tips for handling and transporting scrap and recyclables, and for ensuring every visit to WV Cashin’ is safe and uneventful. 

Plan ahead 

While you will encounter potential hazards when visiting WV Cashin’ to drop off your scrap or recyclables, remember you will also first have to handle and load those materials to transport them to our facility.  

Enlist help with handling heavy or dangerous items and take the time necessary to properly secure items for safe hauling. Investing the extra time and care on the front end can help you avoid mishaps, such as items falling off a truck or trailer and causing damage or injuries to others. 

Mind the weather 

Be sure to keep the weather in mind when planning a trip to drop off your scrap or recyclables. If it’s snowy or icy, dress accordingly and account for extra time to load, transport, and unload.  

On hot days, don’t overlook the dangers of the heat, including overexertion, and make sure you stay properly hydrated. 

Dress properly 

Just as we require our team members to wear PPE, we encourage anyone coming to our yard to do the same. Gloves, proper shoes, and eye protection represent an important line of defense against accidents when handling hazardous materials.  

Check-in is required 

To help protect our customers and ensure the safe and orderly drop-off of scrap and recyclables at our facility, we require all visitors to check in upon arrival. This helps us track who’s on-site and enables us to provide reminders about our safety rules. It also allows us to answer customer questions upon their arrival.  

No kids or pets allowed 

One of our most important rules for visitors is that, for their own safety and the safety of others, children and pets are strictly prohibited from entering the yard.  

Stay in your vehicle  

Unless you are actively unloading your scrap or recycling, you should always remain in your vehicle. 

“Within our yard environment, with all the trucks and heavy equipment moving around, the safest place to be is inside your vehicle,” says Jeff.  

Unload safely 

Unloading your scrap or recyclables demands special attention to safety. To avoid accidents or injury, stay clear of other vehicles or heavy equipment. And never jump off a truck or trailer.  

Also, we’re happy to help you safely unload your scrap or recyclables. Just ask for help, at any time. 

Keep your “gloves full” 

When you visit WV Cashin’, we want you to have a positive experience turning your scrap and recyclables into cash—while also staying safe and avoiding injury. 

“My job isn’t just to keep our team safe,” says Jeff. “It’s also to make sure everyone who comes to WV Cashin’ leaves in better shape than when they arrived.”  

With more money and two gloves full of fingers.