The UK’s Waste Industry Safety and Health Forum (WISH) has published its finalised COVID-19 and Waste Management Activities document.
WISH said it recognises the urgency of the need of the industry for information about how to deal with the risks associated with COVID-19.
The final version of the document comes after a period of consultation, whereby the sector could input to the draft advice.
Over 50 replies were received in within 72 hours of the publication of the draft and many of these were lengthy and detailed.
We are extremely grateful for all of the interest in and comments that we received upon the draft document
CIWM responded to the document, saying a hierarchy of preferred options regarding social distancing should be developed to reduce the risks to waste collections crews and individual drivers operating vehicles.
“We are extremely grateful for all of the interest in and comments that we received upon the draft document,” WISH said.
Is said the changes requested or proposed by different respondents were in some cases “mutually conflicting”. In other places there was greater consistency of response.
The drafting has been undertaken with input, advice and support from the HSE after WISH were invited to undertake publishing the document with “urgency” from Defra, WISH said.
WISH said in a statement that: “It shows what can be achieved by the dedicated collaboration of industry-wide professionals in a time of need. I take my hat off to you all.”