Checklist and Safety Tips

Checklist Prior to Cleanup Effort

1. Work with your Participant group to identify potential hazards. Note areas of concern or potential danger, for example, dangerous trash or high traffic areas. 
2. Supervise minors who participate. Be sure there is a responsible adult to supervise minor children.
3. Gather the necessary tools and materials. Make sure you have the items you need to complete your work safely and efficiently (gloves, shovels, brooms, dust pans, trash bags, etc.) before you go. 
4. Review Safety Instructions:

1. Watch for vehicles and traffic. Volunteers should watch out for vehicles in the area they are cleaning. Sometimes drivers may not expect to see volunteers.
2. Obey traffic rules and signals. Take caution in crossing the street. Volunteers should always obey all traffic and signal devices. Always cross at the intersection or through marked crosswalks, if available.
3. Beware of Handling Dangerous Litter. Be cautious about dangerous litter items, not limited to broken glass, razor blades, etc. These items should ONLY be handled with tongs or swept with a broom and picked up into a dust pan. 
4. Hazardous Items. Hazardous garbage MUST NOT be handled by volunteers. Hazardous garbage can be defined as objects that contain harmful and/or corrosive chemicals (i.e. car batteries) or objects that may carry harmful bacteria or disease (i.e. dead animals, syringes, used condoms, etc.). For disposal of these items please contact Markus Moore at Annapolis Transportation, 410-263-7964. 
5. Access to a mobile phone. If possible have a phone available and/or know where accessible phones are along the cleanup route in case of an emergency.
6. Wear safety vests. Safety vests are available on a loan basis for groups cleaning in high traffic areas. Call Annapolis Transportation, 410-263-7964 for safety vests.
7. Practice pandemic safety measures. Be sure that each participant has a well fitting mask, has their temperature checked prior to commencing work and that there is hand sanitizer available after the work is completed. 

Litter Pick-Up Safety Tips

• Never reach blindly to pick up an item. Use a tool such as a rake or stick to “identify” the item before grabbing or picking it up. Members of the cleanup team should always wear gloves.
• Always use a tool to pick up dangerous litter. Dangerous litter should be swept with a broom and picked up with a dustpan.
• Dangerous or unsafe litter should be picked up by a designated person. You many want to designate one person to pick up dangerous litter, especially if minor children are part of your workgroup.
• Pair up in teams. Working in pairs is generally safer than working alone. Doing so allows volunteers to look out for each other and for changes in their immediate environment.