What waste collectors and recyclers need to know about COVID-19.

Details

• Corporate Authors:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Description:
  As a waste collector or recycler, how can I protect myself and slow the spread? For waste collectors and recyclers, potential sources of exposure include having close contact with a coworker or member of the public with COVID-19, or by contacting surfaces touched or handled by a person with COVID-19. Notify your supervisor and stay home if having symptoms. Notify your supervisor and stay home if having symptoms. Follow CDC-recommended steps if you are sick. You should not return to work until the criteria to discontinue home isolation are met, in consultation with healthcare providers and state and local health departments. Follow CDC-recommended precautions and notify your supervisor if you are well but have a sick family member at home with COVID-19. Limit close contact with others by maintaining a distance of at least 6 feet when possible. CDC recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain, especially in areas of significant community-based transmission. Cloth face coverings may prevent people who don't know they have the virus from transmitting it to others. These face coverings are not surgical masks or respirators and are not appropriate substitutes for them in workplaces where masks or respirators are recommended or required. Practice routine cleaning and disinfection of frequently touched surfaces, such as steering wheels, door handles, levers, and control panels. Key times for cleaning include: At the beginning and end of every shift; After anyone else uses your vehicle or workstation. Wear your normal personal protective equipment (PPE) as you go about your day. This may include work gloves, eye protection (such as safety glasses), and a work uniform or coveralls. Use Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) registered disinfectant to clean eye protection at the beginning and end of your shift. Replace work gloves when they become damaged (for example, if they are ripped or torn). Practice proper hand hygiene and cough and sneeze etiquette. These are important infection control measures. Wash your hands regularly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol. Key times to clean hands include: Before and after work shifts and work breaks; After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing; After using the restroom; Before eating or preparing food; Before putting on, touching, or removing cloth face coverings. Avoid contact with body fluids, if possible. Use gloves if you have to touch surfaces contaminated by body fluids. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth. Be extra careful when putting on or taking off PPE. Stay up to date on your company's current policies on COVID-19. Follow the social distancing guidance provided by your employer. What steps should my employer take? Employers should have a COVID-19 health and safety plan to protect employees, following CDC Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers. This plan should be shared with you and your coworkers. Employers should: Reduce transmission among employees; Maintain a healthy work environment; and Maintain healthy business operations. This fact sheet is available in English, Chinese, Korean, Spanish, and Vietnamese.
• Subjects:
  Accidents, Occupational Epidemiology Hydrocarbons Manufacturing And Industrial Facilities Methyl Chloride Occupational Health Preceptorship Safety
• Keywords:
  Coronavirus COVID-19 Disease Prevention Face Masks Hand Washing Infection Prevention Infectious Diseases Protective Measures Recycling Refuse Collection Safety Practices Sanitation Viral Diseases

  More +
• Publisher:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Document Type:
  Text
• Genre:
  Other
• Place as Subject:
  Georgia ; OSHA Region 4
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Division:
  EPRO - Emergency Preparedness and Response Office
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Pages in Document:
  1-4
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20061405
• Citation:
  Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, 2020 May; :1-4
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2020
• Peer Reviewed:
  False
• Source Full Name:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:9951c8a4266086ef12d9dc9a74e043616724b5a083d297e6c169b51cf5c779a50ea84ff6e97914318e6df1cf9931bd78f8858e2c79f55d029484212a30c1fb23
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/181892/cdc_181892_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 215.98 KB ]