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Waste management

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Even outside of the pandemic, proper waste management and disposal is paramount important. Currently, used face masks and other PPE are generally considered as hazardous waste due to the infectious nature of COVID-19. Subsequently, employees and employers should correctly understand how to dispose of PPE in the safest way whenever possible.

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Here are few tips to consider when handling PPE.

1. Use a closed-lid waste bin

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), PPE needs to be disposed of in a closed-lid waste bin rather than a regular bin precisely because we need to treat COVID-19 related PPE as infectious or hazardous waste.

2. Dedicate waste bins for contaminated PPE

Another thing that workplaces can do is makes sure that there are bins in the workplace that are dedicated to PPE disposal. If necessary, use signage in multiple languages to ensure that all staff are aware of which bins to use. Having a clearly marked bin will make it easier for employees to know where to dispose of their PPE, and prevent them from disposing of their mask or gloves in a regular bin, which could lead to others coming into contact (knowingly or unknowingly) with potentially infectious waste. This is paramount important for the safety of not only other employees but cleaning staff as well.

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3. Aware employees on removing PPE correctly

Before the PPE is even put into the bin, employees should know how to safely and hygienically remove PPE. The best prevention is awareness. Communicate with employees through (socially distanced) in-person meetings, video calls or alert sharing. Implement signage (in multiple languages) around the workplace to ensure that employees have clear, written instructions at their disposal.

So how exactly should employees remove their PPE?

The user should avoid touching the front of the mask or respirator as it is considered as contaminated. If your hands get contaminated during mask/respirator removal, immediately wash your hands or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

The wearer should then hold the ties or elastic of the mask or respirator, then the ones of the top and remove without touching the front. Then the wearer can discard the mask/respirator in the correct waste bin. After removal, you should always wash your hands with an alcohol-based sanitizer immediately.

4. Prevent overflowing of disposals

Overflowing waste bin provides a negative example to others on how to dispose of PPE. So, the best type of bin is touch-free, as manually opening a bin could lead to the user touching a potentially contaminated surface and preventing others from coming into close contact with used PPE.

5. Disinfect units

Finally, increased surface hygiene should be a part of every company’s COVID-19 response plan. This includes regularly and safely cleaning PPE disposal bins using disinfectants to kill any potential germs. Whoever is cleaning the PPE disposal bins should wear adequate PPE to avoid the possibility of being contaminated.

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For those working from home, safely and hygienically disposing of PPE is equally as important.

Environmental impact

On top of this, there are also questions about mitigating PPE waste. Indeed, numerous reports have indicated that discarded masks or gloves that are single-use could negatively impact the environment. Covid-19 related single-use masks and respirators will be used over the next years, significantly contributing to the pollution in our landfills and oceans.

As a response, companies should step up with green initiatives such as recycling, or disposal used mask environment-friendly manner.

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