General Safety

Site coordinators reserve the right to dismiss any volunteer or person at their location whom they deem to be working or participating inappropriately, or putting themselves or others in danger.

Please watch our safety video before you show up to clean it like you mean it:  Safety Video (YouTube).

Individual cleanup sites may have additional rules or guidelines pertaining to their site, depending on the atmosphere or setting of the cleanup area. Please follow the rules below, as well as any additional rules given at your chosen site.
  1. All persons volunteering must fill out the required Registration Waiver Form (English) or (Spanish). Parents and youth leaders shall be responsible for closely monitoring youth volunteers in their group or organization, and are responsible for making them aware of the rules and following them.
  2. Most cleanup sites are in areas where wildlife exists. Please be watchful of areas where snakes, alligators, or harmful insects may be or alert those in your party to the presence of any of these creatures. Also be watchful for harmful plants such a poison ivy or poison oak, thorns, vines etc. Please wear gloves to avoid contact. Refrain from contact with any wildlife or feral domestic animals.
  3. Alert your site coordinator to any animals or situations hampering the ability to clean up your site.
     
Safety and Health Advice
  • Work gloves and trash bags are provided to volunteers.
  • Safety vests and trash pickers are provided in limited numbers to each group.
  • Sturdy, closed toed shoes shall be worn in all areas. Long pants and long-sleeve shirts are advisable.
  • Life jackets are required for all passengers on any boat, canoe, kayak, or raft etc.
  • Do not work alone. Use the buddy system of two or three persons.
  • Do not enter, wade or swim in any body of water to retrieve debris unless approved by site coordinator or team leader.
  • Only collect trash where you are capable. Many areas have slopes, loose gravel or soil. Ensure proper footing before proceeding.
  • Do not climb up or down trees, rocks or steep banks to retrieve debris. Collection along sloping bayou, lakes or waterway banks should only be done when deemed safe by team leaders or coordinators. Do not disturb bare soil or contribute to erosion  areas.
  • Do not reach or crawl into crevices, brush, under rocks or structures to retrieve debris. Use a tool when necessary.

Do not collect the following hazardous debris:
  • Heavy items requiring more than one person to lift;
  • Partially buried items;
  • Broken glass;
  • Closed or sealed  buckets and plastic or metal drums; or
  • Medical waste (hazard bags, needles,  etc.) or carrion (dead animal carcass).
  • Household Hazardous Waste such as paint, oil, or solvents.

Take note of the location of these items and report it to your team leader or coordinator. Appropriate personnel shall collect these items. 

ADA Compliance
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, Trash Bash® will provide for reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities attending this event. Individuals requiring language interpretation, with specific accessibility concerns, or those with special communication needs should contact Kendall Guidroz by email or at 713-993-2469 at least 1 week prior to the event.
Thank you to all the volunteers and sponsors who continue to support
the River, Lakes, Bays 'N Bayous Trash Bash®!
​Join us on Saturday, March 23, 2024 for the 30th annual Trash Bash®!