Method and apparatus to mitigate noise during unloading of refuse containers

A glove for use with a lifting fork, the lifting fork having a progressive cross-sectional profile, a maximum working length between a distal end and a proximal end, a maximum width and a maximum sectional thickness, wherein the fork includes an upper working surface and a lower working surface, the glove comprising:

• a cylinder constructed from a vibration absorbing material having an inner progressive cross-sectional profile complementary to the cross-sectional profile of the fork and a length, and defining an interior volume having a width wherein the cylinder length less than or equal to the maximum working length of the fork.

A composite lifting fork comprising:

• a lifting fork having a maximum working length between a distal end and a proximal end, a maximum width and a maximum sectional thickness, wherein the fork includes an upper working surface and a lower working surface, and wherein a portion of the upper working surface has been removed to define a first recess having the sectional depth;
• and
• a first rail attachable to the fork and occupying the first recess wherein the rail is constructed from a vibration absorbing material.

A sleeve insert for a pocket-bearing container, the pocket having an internal progressive cross section, including a height and an internal width at any given point along its length, the insert comprising:

• a cylinder constructed from a vibration absorbing material and having a progressive external cross section substantially complementary to the progressive cross section of the container pocket, and having a front portion periphery, a rear portion, an upper wall, a lower wall, an inside wall and an outside wall.

A method for mitigating noise events generated during movement of a container having at least one pocket by a lifting apparatus having at least one lifting fork engagable with the at least one pocket, comprising:

• inserting a pocket liner constructed from a vibration absorbing material into the at least one pocket.