The UK’s Waste Industry Safety and Health (WISH) Forum’s guidance document for managing COVID-19 risks for waste management activities has been updated for the fourth time.
The update guidance was released this morning (6 May)
Released this morning ( 6 May) the latest guidance, version 4, includes new information on testing for essential workers, handling and disposing of PPE disposed of by the public and further information and sources of guidance on CA site reopenings.
Chris Jones, chair of WISH said: “We are continuing to add some entirely new material, as well as assimilating feedback on the earlier versions and incorporating the ongoing best practice (and issues) that are being developed as the industry continues to adapt to the new ‘normal’.
“My thanks go out to all of those who have contributed to the guidance by asking questions, pointing out inconsistencies, suggesting improvements and pointing us toward new sources of information. To the small team that is drawing this together and taking the criticism, suggestions, misdirected questions, and well though through improvement suggestions with equal equanimity and professionalism my ongoing admiration.”
PPE
The updated guidance now states that if recycling plant operators start observing significant amounts of used PPE appearing on picking lines and similar, they should discuss the issue with their client.
“My thanks go out to all of those who have contributed to the guidance”
“Public communications and education campaigns and publicity may be required to encourage used PPE to be disposed of into residual waste streams,” the guide says.
The issue of PPE in recycling was described as “disturbing” last week by the Confederation of Paper Industries (see letsrecycle.com story).
Workwear
One of the other updates relates to workwear which is laundered. The virus is thought to be able to live on textiles for up to 72 hours.
The guidance previous said those who leave their workwear at their workplace to be laundered should place items in a laundry bag and not in a pile.
The update guidance says anyone taking this home should change out of their workwear and bag the items (e.g in a bin bag) and use a hot-wash cycle.
Changes
The full list of changes from version three are:
- Additions on the need to manage adverse reactions to returning employees and training of employees returning from furlough;
- Precautions to be taken with the home laundering of workwear;
- differentiating between face masks issued as respiratory protective equipment (RPE) and face coverings provided for reassurance/confidence;
- testing for essential workers;
- Sources of advice for information on COVID19 and first aid provision;
- handling and disposing of face coverings, gloves and PPE discarded by the public;
- Ensuring cooperation and collaboration between employers on COVID19;
- Further information and sources of guidance on HWRC/CA site reopening;
- Routine inspections and monitoring including COVID19 precautions; and
- References to sources of information and advice in the devolved administrations
Hygiene
The advice again reiterates that the most important control for preventing the spread of any infection is good hygiene.
Uniform which is taken home will need to be bagged and washed at a high temperature
“ Good hygiene practices should already be in place in waste management operations – these must be maintained,” the advice states.
It states that the latest research indicates the virus could survive on cardboard for 24 hours, and metal/plastics for up to 72 hours.
“It is important to note this work exposed these surfaces to high concentrations in a laboratory environment and is likely to be the ‘worst case’ scenario. It is good practice to ensure a high standard of hygiene when handling waste materials, as should always be the case in all waste management activities”.
Useful links:
The updated WISH guidance can be found here.
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Source: letsrecycle.com Waste Managment
