Public Health England says it does not advise the use of face masks when undertaking waste collection during the coronavirus pandemic.
Full guidance for employees has been published on the executive agency’s website and can be read here.
It reads: “There is very little evidence of widespread benefit from the use of face masks outside the clinical or care settings, where they play a very important role.
Face masks are not being advised for waste collection workers
“To be effective, face masks must be worn correctly, changed frequently, removed properly, disposed of safely and used in combination with good universal hygiene behaviour.
“Research shows that compliance with these recommended behaviours reduces over time when wearing face masks for prolonged periods, such as in the community.
“Therefore, PHE does not advise masks in public places and for those working in supermarkets, waste collection, schools and similar settings.”
Review
PHE says it will continue to review guidance in line with emerging evidence and WHO views and update its advice if new evidence suggests it should do so.
Measures to undertake
PHE has issued on measures it recommends employers should provide instead of the use of masks.
Hands should be washed with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
It says spaces in the workplace should be optimised to allow social distancing to occur, wherever possible.
Signs should be visible in the workplace to remind employees not to attend work if they have a fever or cough and to avoid touching their eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands, according to PHE.
And, PHE says employees must be provided with hand sanitiser for frequent use and regular breaks to allow them to wash their hands for 20 seconds.
WISH – Face masks
The clarified advice issued by PHE echoes that released by the UK’s Waste Industry Safety and Health Forum (WISH) last week (see letsrecycle.com story).
“The prolonged use of respiratory protection equipment is unlikely to be effective”
WISH’s own advice on masks reads: “Experience is that the prolonged use of respiratory protection equipment is unlikely to be effective.”
However, WISH notes that where a risk assessment has previously indicated an employee would be expected to wear respiratory protection as part of their normal job they should continue to do so.
The post Face masks ‘not advised’ during waste collection appeared first on letsrecycle.com.
Source: letsrecycle.com Waste Managment
