Composting is a great way to recycle waste and help protect the environment. But there are also hazards associated with composting, so you need to know what you are doing. Here are a few composting safety tips:
We have all become a lot more conscious of regular hand washing in recent years, and this is a very important thing to do after you have been handling compost. However, we can easily forget to wash our hands if we are carrying on with some other aspect of yard work immediately after.
Try to reduce your risk of being exposed to toxic pathogens present in compost, by having as little contact with it as possible. Make sure you are wearing protective clothing, which should include a good pair of gloves and decent footwear. Take all these items off before entering your home.
You may be aware that compost needs regular tilling so that it can break down more easily. If you are doing this manually, wear a face mask designed to prevent you from inhaling dangerous spores, produced by rotting matter. These spores are thrown into the air whilst tilling and can be hazardous to your health. Avoid tilling altogether on windy days.
Finally, store your compost in a container that allows for some air to flow. When stored incorrectly, compost can become combustible, which is yet another safety hazard.