Short answer: At a minimum wear sturdy cut-resistant gloves, closed-toe boots with a solid sole, long sleeves and trousers and safety glasses, and add a dust mask for dusty or rusty material, hearing protection when cutting and steel-capped boots for heavy items, because most scrap injuries are cuts, punctures, eye injuries and crushed toes that basic protective gear prevents.
Pile sorted and safe? Compare offers from verified buyers.
List Free →The everyday kit
Gloves, boots, long clothing and eye protection cover the most common injuries, and they cost far less than a day off work.
Extra protection for specific jobs
Dust masks, hearing protection and steel caps suit dusty, noisy or heavy work, so add them when the job calls for it.
Why shoes matter more than you think
Sharp offcuts and nails on the ground are an easy way to injure a foot, so thick soles and closed toes are worth insisting on.
How ScrapTrade Fits In
ScrapTrade buyers prefer a clean, well-handled load, and a safe pile is also one that is easier to sell.
Safe handling is the first step. ScrapTrade connects you with verified buyers, transparent weighing and escrow-protected payments.
List or Find Scrap on ScrapTrade →Practical answers on handling scrap metal safely and keeping dangerous items out of your pile.