By Bin collections during the Covid-19 pandemic
North East Lincolnshire Council have issued an update regarding bin collections during the Covid-19 pandemic, in order to keep the service running during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Household waste collections were identified as an essential public service by the Government. Their advice for workers providing essential services is to observe the 2m social distancing rule to limit contact with other people.
A series of substantial changes are now in place to help keep bin crews safe when they have to share a cab with colleagues.
New safety measures include:
- Daily health checks
- Keeping different crews apart from each other throughout the day
- Extra cleaning of surfaces that staff regularly touch
- Disinfecting of vehicle cabs
- Strict limits on the number of staff in depot buildings
- Extra gloves have been provided – face masks are not currently recommended for waste collection crews.
- Changes to the way staff arrive and leave the depot and how information is handed out.
North East Lincolnshire Council say they are continually reviewing the risk assessments and precautions as the situation unfolds and will implement any further advice provided by Public Health England.
They have requested that the public maintain some distance from bin crews, and leave them to get on with their jobs.
Cllr Stewart Swinburn, Portfolio Holder for Transport and Environment, said:
“A number of people have contacted the Council to express their concerns about bin crews sharing a cab when everyone else is being told to keep their distance from each other.
I’m pleased to see people are concerned for their welfare and that they appreciate the job they are doing in very difficult circumstances.
All organisations have been affected by Coronavirus and our bin crews are doing a great job providing a vital service in these challenging times.
We’re doing everything we can to reduce the risk to them and the wider public and I hope people recognise the challenges our workforce faces.
There’s been a thorough review of all our working procedures to keep our employees and the wider community safe.
They’re providing a key function for the community and although crews have to share a wagon to do their job, stringent measures are in place to reduce the risk.”
So far, disruption to waste and recycling collections so far has been limited, and plans are in place to keep the service running, including bringing in colleagues from other parts of the Council to cover absences.
The council have requested that households wash their hands after handling bins and boxes, as waste staff touch over 600 each per day.
They have also requested that personal waste such as tissues and disposable cleaning cloths, is placed in smaller plastic bags within your ordinary waste bag.
For information on community waste and recycling centres, please see our recent update.
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