An example guidance document that can be downloaded and tailored to your company needs to assist employers understand and work safely during the COVID-19 pandemic.
This response defines the present understanding of the possible paths of transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 virus (including airborne aerosol transmission) and potential responses that Building Services Engineers can adopt to reduce transmission risks in the built environment.
A comprehensive guide from Cushman and Wakefield to assist organisations in bringing workers back into the workplace after lockdown is eased.
Please find attached an advert and job description in respect of a job opportunity within the Scottish Union Learning team at the STUC.
For the full recruitment pack please visit the STUC Website
Recently, in these strange and uncertain times, it has become clear that the waste management industry is critical and essential. Even amid a global pandemic. As such, many of the services and standards that the waste industry adheres to must be maintained, as far as is practicable.
One aspect that is critical to the continued functioning of organic waste treatment is bioaerosol monitoring. Bioaerosols are airborne particles made up of living micro-organisms, or tiny non-living parts of organisms. Organic waste relies on the presence of micro-organisms for it to be broken down during treatment. As such, organic waste treatment can cause high levels of microorganisms to become air-borne – i.e. forming high levels of bioaerosols.
Bioaerosol monitoring allows organic waste treatment sites to be aware of and to manage the levels of bioaerosols that they generate. This helps them handle a form of harmful air pollution that they could be responsible for, which is necessary for minimising the health risks to both on-site staff, and anyone who lives or works nearby such sites.
Due to the potential negative health consequences of bioaerosols, it is important that sites are cautious when it comes to handling them. Composting operations, such as windrow turning, can generate bioaerosol concentrations exceeding 100,000 CFU/m³ (to put that into context: bioaerosols environmental exposure limits are set at 500 and 1,000 CFU/m³ for fungi and bacteria, respectively). Due to the large concentrations involved, and the serious negative health impacts, the risk presented by bioaerosols is one that must be well-managed.
Sites may manage and monitor bioaerosols for various reasons. Occupational monitoring is conducted in order to maintain workplace Health & Safety. A site may have to do this, for instance – if it is a COSHH requirement, or because they have an absolute duty to conduct appropriate risk assessments in relation to their site processes. Environmental monitoring (which helps ensure the safety of people living and working near a site) us usually done to comply with permits or gain licenses.
Taking all the necessary steps to manage one particular risk can seem time-consuming, financially burdensome, and potentially be a huge sacrifice (the impacts of COVID-19 have presented a clear example of this). However, it is crucial. Plus, the fundamental benefits often outweigh these costs.
Although bioaerosol monitoring carries a financial price, the cost of not doing it can be high, for several reasons. For instance, monitoring may reduce the likelihood of a site receiving fines, lawsuits, or sickness claims, and as a fundamental step in improving workplace welfare, it can also minimise sick leave, and increase productivity.
In order to help share information about bioaerosols and monitoring them, we have created a webinar on the topic:
The webinar will explain what exactly bioaerosols are and how they impact human health, and how this affects the waste industry. It is aimed at those working in waste management or dealing with issues that affect this industry, though it may be of interest to anyone who wants to know more about environmental monitoring, air pollution, and Health & Safety issues. If you would like to know more about this, or if you have any other questions about bioaerosols that you would like to ask an expert on the topic, then this offers a chance to do so.
For more information, and to register, click here.
There is a large amount of support and guidance relating to COVID-19 being released, which can make it confusing to find the correct guidance. We have grouped the guidance together from the following organisation, which is relevant to the sector.
The main Scot Govt website detailing the overall government guidance on all aspects of the lockdown, including the recent 4 phase route map, and the latest specific updates and announcements from the First Minister.
Government Sector Guidance & Advice
Overall UK and Scottish government guidance on more specific regulations relating to the operation of the waste industry, relaxations of existing rules, and timeframes for further reviews.
Waste Industry Safety and Health links, providing information and reviews around the safe operation of waste management through the COVID-19 crisis. This also details changes to legislation and best practice and the guidance around ensuring staff remain safe whilst working.
Health and Safety Executive website, providing guidance for employers on all aspects of compliance with current regulations for safe working practices both in the workplace and for homeworkers.
A range of example document templates for you to use and update. Including templates on Social Distancing in the workplace, monitoring, and managing affected staff and safe working procedures.
Women of Waste (WOW) – Tribute to Waste Workers!
ISWA announce WOW! as an official ISWA Task Force. The WOW! Task Force will comprise of an Expert Advisory Board and Coordination team for the next 12 months, with the purpose to support women’s contribution to the solid waste management sector and increase their visibility.
As we all grapple with getting sites back working there is a lot of focus on COVID-19 and managing the risk it poses. But please remember waste management facilities are potentially dangerous places and a whole host of risks exist. Risk assessments should clearly be updated to reflect risk from COVID-19, but risk assessments should also include reviewing changes to how the sites will operate during COVID-19.
If you need help with getting this across to staff there is some excellent guidance on the HSE web site