Quick answer: When visiting a scrap yard, wear sturdy closed-toe shoes or work boots, thick work gloves, long pants and safety glasses. Stay near your vehicle, keep away from cranes and loaders, follow staff directions, drive slowly, and keep children and pets inside your vehicle. Never bring sealed tanks, gas cylinders or chemicals.
A scrap yard is a working industrial site. Heavy machines lift tons of metal, trucks move in and out all day, and sharp edges are everywhere. Our family has been running yards in Florida since 1974, and keeping customers safe is a top priority. This guide explains what safety gear to wear, what rules to follow and how to protect yourself and others when you visit John's Famous Auto Parts & Metals.
Why safety gear matters at a scrap yard
Most injuries at scrap yards are small but painful: cuts on hands, scraped legs or something heavy dropped on a foot. A few simple pieces of gear prevent nearly all of them. You do not need special equipment. Most people already own what they need.
The safety equipment you should wear
1. Closed-toe shoes or work boots
This is the most important rule. Never wear sandals, flip-flops or open-toe shoes in a scrap yard. The ground can have nails, screws, broken glass and small pieces of sharp metal. Wear sturdy shoes with thick soles. Leather work boots are best. Steel-toe or composite-toe boots give extra protection if you are lifting heavy items like appliances or engine parts.
2. Thick work gloves
Cut metal, sheet steel and wire have very sharp edges. Wear heavy leather or cut-resistant work gloves whenever you handle scrap. Thin cotton gloves or garden gloves are not enough. Gloves also protect your hands from grease, rust and hot metal surfaces on sunny Florida days.
3. Long pants
Long pants made of denim or canvas protect your legs from scrapes and cuts when you climb in and out of your truck bed or carry metal. Shorts leave your skin exposed to sharp edges.
4. Safety glasses
Dust, rust flakes and small metal bits can fly into the air when metal is dropped or moved. Basic safety glasses protect your eyes. They are cheap and easy to find at any hardware store.
5. Bright or high-visibility clothing
Machine operators and truck drivers need to see you. Bright colors or a high-visibility vest make you easier to spot. This is especially helpful for contractors and frequent customers.
6. Sun and heat protection
Florida heat is serious. Wear a hat, use sunscreen and bring water. Take breaks if you are unloading a big load. Heat exhaustion can sneak up on you fast when you are lifting heavy metal in the sun.
Scrap yard safety rules to follow
Stay away from heavy equipment
Our yards use cranes, grapple machines, loaders and forklifts to move metal. These machines are large and powerful, and operators may not always see a person on foot. Always:
- Stay close to your own vehicle.
- Never walk under or near a crane or grapple that is lifting metal.
- Do not walk behind a machine that is backing up.
- Wait for staff to wave you forward before you move.
- Never climb on scrap piles.
Drive slowly and carefully
Drive slowly inside the yard and watch for workers, machines and other customers. Follow the traffic flow and any signs. Yield to heavy equipment, since it cannot stop quickly. Look out for sharp metal on the ground that could damage your tires.
Follow staff directions
Our team knows the yard. They will tell you where to park, where to unload and when it is safe to move. If you are unsure about anything, stop and ask. Following directions keeps everyone safe and makes your visit faster.
Keep children and pets in the vehicle
A scrap yard is not a safe place for kids or animals to walk around. If you bring children or pets with you, they must stay inside your vehicle at all times. The best choice is to leave them at home.
Lift safely
Many injuries come from lifting the wrong way. Bend at your knees, not your back. Keep heavy items close to your body. Ask for help with large items like water heaters, washing machines or engine blocks. Use a dolly or ramp for very heavy pieces when you can.
Dangerous items to leave at home
Some items can explode, leak or catch fire when crushed or shredded. They put workers and customers in danger. Do not bring:
- Propane tanks, oxygen tanks and other compressed gas cylinders with valves attached
- Sealed or closed drums, tanks and containers
- Gasoline, oil, paint, solvents or other chemicals
- A/C units and refrigerators that still contain freon
- Ammunition, fireworks or anything explosive
- Medical waste or anything that may be radioactive
Drain fluids from lawn mowers and small engines before bringing them in. Car batteries should be kept upright so acid does not spill. If you are not sure whether an item is safe, ask our Yard Finder first.
Safety at the U-Pull-It yard
Our U-Pull-It used auto parts yard in Bunnell has its own rules because customers remove parts from vehicles themselves:
- Bring your own hand tools. Cordless battery-powered tools are allowed.
- Saws, torches and open flames are not allowed.
- Wear closed-toe shoes, gloves and safety glasses.
- Never get under a vehicle that is not safely supported. Do not use jacks to lift yard vehicles.
- Watch out for broken glass, sharp edges and leftover fluids.
- There is a $1 entry fee, and all sales are final and as-is.
Safe loading before you arrive
Safety starts at home. Secure your load with straps, ropes or a tarp so metal does not fall onto the road. Do not overload your truck or trailer. Sort your metal into bins you can safely lift. Read our guide on how to make your scrap yard visit easy for a full loading checklist.
Your scrap yard safety checklist
- Closed-toe shoes or work boots
- Thick leather or cut-resistant gloves
- Long pants
- Safety glasses
- Bright clothing, a hat, sunscreen and water
- Stay by your vehicle and away from machines
- Drive slowly and follow staff directions
- Kids and pets stay in the vehicle
- No tanks, cylinders, chemicals or freon
Visit a John's Famous yard
We have scrap yards in Bunnell, Holly Hill and Palatka, open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Find addresses and directions on our locations page. Dress for safety, follow the rules, and our team will help you unload, weigh and get paid quickly.
Common questions
What should I wear to a scrap yard?
Wear closed-toe shoes or work boots, thick work gloves, long pants and safety glasses. Bright clothing, a hat and sunscreen are also smart in Florida.
Can I wear sandals or flip-flops to a scrap yard?
No. Open-toe shoes are unsafe because the ground can have nails, screws, glass and sharp metal. Wear sturdy closed-toe shoes.
Can my kids or pets come into the yard?
Children and pets must stay inside your vehicle at all times. It is best to leave them at home.
What items are not allowed at a scrap yard?
Do not bring propane tanks or gas cylinders with valves, sealed drums or containers, gasoline, oil or chemicals, freon-containing A/C units or refrigerators, or anything explosive.
What tools are allowed at the U-Pull-It yard?
Hand tools and cordless battery-powered tools are allowed. Saws, torches and open flames are not allowed.