Public Health Protection Covid-19 1 Public Health Protection Covid-19
The Waste and Resource Management In terms of immediate priorities, the 3. A sector wide PPE procurement following key actions to ensure public initiative to bolster and ensure Sector (hereinafter referred to as “the health protection is maintained have consistency of supplies. been identifjed: Sector”) identifjcation of the key risks 4. A disposal capacity management plan 1. A fjrst phase guidance document is prepared and actioned to refmect the and the options for mitigation to ensure produced for all front line and material immediate increases in the production supply chain operators which provides of household waste as the new public health protection is maintained clarity of essential status and clarity stringent ‘lock down’ measures take for all health & safety considerations efgect. for the duration of the Covid-19 for all stafg involved in the collection, treatment, storage and disposal of outbreak in Scotland. waste. 2. An integrated communication strategy comprising of clear and consistent messaging for both businesses and householders on their roles in ensuring we can provide an efgective waste collection service to safeguard public health. 2 Public Health Protection Covid-19
The Sector in Scotland has identifjed • Relaxation of the relevant existing Identifying the key actions that will need the following key risks that are, have legislation (or policy, as appropriate) to be taken to mitigate any risk to public and will continue to emerge as a direct with regard to licence/permit health is critical. This will require a nimble consequence of the Covid-19 outbreak in conditions to avoid public health risks and fmexible approach to enable the Scotland: of waste accumulating to include: sector to make temporary operational, logistical and disposal solutions as the • Stafg Shortages o Operating hours Covid-19 situation develops. Guidance should be communicated as phased and • Safe Operation of HWRCs o Maximum daily tonnage limits changeable as the situation develops. • The availability of essential PPE to o Waste storage time limits Clear consistent centrally co-ordinated operational stafg communications are critical with o Waste storage capacity including information being disseminated to all • Clarity if there is suffjcient EfW and temporary storage on unlicensed internal and external audiences (public landfjll capacity and status of current areas and commercial sector). global recyclate, RDF and SRF markets o Credit extension on SEPA licence/ • Clear guidance required from Health permit fees or charges Protection Scotland (HPS) which includes clarity on the viability of • Regulatory and Reporting the virus in waste and any further Requirements measures that will be required to be adopted to protect the Sector’s o Special measures to identify workers waste locations at potential risk of potentially contaminated materials • Clear guidance required as to how, and mandated procedures for their and when the 80% Government management. contribution to staffjng costs will be applied. This is contributing to stafg o Temporary emergency revision of shortages with some front line stafg Scottish Landfjll Tax legislation (or not turning up for work assuming that policy, as appropriate). 80% of their wages will still be met. o Where feasible and agreed between contracting parties, waiving of contract penalties for failing to meet contractual KPIs. 3 Public Health Protection Covid-19
Risk Emerging Situation Potential Mitigation Options Stafg Shortages 1. Absence levels of up to 50% for LGV drivers and 30% or more for 1. Letters of comfort confjrming key worker status for both front line and refuse collectors. support stafg. 2. COSLA gathering information for councils. 2. Council employees working on non-essential activities in other services could be re-trained/redeployed. 3. SWITCH looking at fjgures for wider industry. 3. Requirement for fast track standardised training. 4. Ability of SMEs to retrain/redeploy is extremely limited. 4. What statutory services should be prioritised and supported? 5. Reduction in commercial waste collections. Prioritisation should be given to the collection and disposal of waste that poses the greatest public health risk i.e. residual and food waste. 6. Clarifjcation required if all waste sector employees are included 2 options are summarised below. within the list of key workers. 5. Allow commercial operators to mix residual waste with DMR on trade 7. Increasing quantities of household waste due to home working, waste and recycling collection routes. self-isolation, DIY. 6. Sub-contracting of household waste collection services to local 8. Increased skip hire. private sector waste management companies, utilising the vehicles and employees of the companies. 9. As of 24th March there is already major disruption to existing kerbside services with absenteeism reported as 60% in some 7. Secondment of private sector employees to councils to assist in the areas. collection of waste. 10. There is a lack of clarity in how and when the 80% contribution to 8. Requires efgective co-operation between councils and private sector staffjng costs will be applied. This is contributing to stafg shortages companies, and may also require a relaxation of normal public sector with some front line stafg not turning up for work assuming that procurement policies and regulations. 80% of their wages will still be met. 9. Clear guidance for employers and employees in how and when the 11. Number of people working in close proximity in vehicle cabs is an 80% contribution to staffjng costs will apply. emerging issue. 4 Public Health Protection Covid-19
Risk Emerging Situation Potential Mitigation Options Safe Operation of 1. Increased use of HWRCs and increased health & safety concerns 1. Visiting HWRCs should be considered a non-essential journey. for stafg. HWRCs 2. Clear and consistent Covid-19 Guidance for Public Access to HWRCs 2. Some local authorities and commercial companies have, or are in and for HWRC stafg. Exemplar Covid-19 HWRC Guidance is available the process of closing HWRCs. This is as a result of the increased from Resource Effjcient Solutions. risk to stafg due to increased visitor numbers and social distancing not being observed. As of 24th March, many Local Authorities 3. HWRC closure across all of Scotland with opening only ‘in extremis’ have closed HWRCs. circumstances. This would allow HWRC stafg to be redeployed and would reduce risks to stafg. 3. Increased incidences of dumping at HWRC entrances and fmy-tipping. Availability of Essential 1. Shortage of essential PPE including hand sanitizers, and full facial 1. Maintain availability of essential PPE. visors. PPE and other 2. Maintain availability of essential supply chain requirements. equipment 2. Increased risk of Covid-19 infection. 3. Priority access to suppliers and fuel. 3. Treatment plant supply chain; for example lime, chemicals etc. Suffjcient Disposal 1. Confjrmation is required as to whether there is suffjcient disposal 1. Implementation of a disposal capacity management plan involving capacity in the right places. priority access for prescribed waste streams. Capacity (EfW and landfjll) 2. What impact on future planning will there be as a result of an and Status of Current increase in the rate of use of existing capacity. Global markets 3. Given the global market contraction has already reduced demand for recyclates what strategy is required to deal with materials which may require storage or disposal? 5 Public Health Protection Covid-19
Risk Emerging Situation Potential Mitigation Options Guidance required from Clarifjcation sought re the current gov.uk guidance states that 1. HPS approved guidance for the Sector’s workers – including household waste containing CoV19 should be double bagged and measures to time-lag treatment to reduce material contamination risks Health Protection Scot- held inside for 72 hours. This was necessary in the containment phase if processing material on picking stations land (HPS) to protect the is this still the case? health of the Sector’s 2. Reinforcement of existing use of appropriate PPE Clarifjcation is sought as to what guidance can be used with respect Workers to PPE? 3. Production of standardised risk assessment Standard PPE is more than adequate (based on guidance for 4. Clear consistent credible and accessible communication for front line clinical waste) but the issue will be ensuring people understand its stafg importance and use it correctly. 5. Will special notifjcations be required for waste from known sources of Current advice implies the risk is probably no greater than normal infection? domestic waste however there is a perception of an increased risk – how can this best be managed to ensure service levels to the households and businesses are maintained? 6 Public Health Protection Covid-19
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