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The waste industry’s unclear position as coronavirus causes chaos
THE spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) throughout the UK in the opening months of 2020 has all but brought the nation to a standstill as Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced on Monday, 23 March that non-essential businesses were to close and people were to practice social distancing.
The waste industry was included in the Government’s list of ‘critical sectors’, exempting companies within in it from being obliged to close their doors.
However, questions were quickly asked as to whether this did (or indeed, should) apply to all businesses within the sector. At the time of writing, no official distinction has been made between ‘essential’ and ‘non-essential’ businesses within the waste industry; all are being treated as essential.
However, in a statement to this effect issued at the end of March, the CIWM pointed out: “For the waste sector, unless otherwise directed in the coming days, this means that workers can travel to and from work, but only where work absolutely cannot be done from home.
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Whilst outside the home, workers should stay 2 metres apart from work colleagues and every effort should be made to minimise all meetings and other gatherings in the workplace.
“In addition, it is essential that the highest levels of health and safety are observed, including providing adequate and hygienic washing facilities, updated risk assessments, deployment and use of appropriate PPE, and the suspension of activities that require suitably qualified and technically competent persons should these persons not be available.”
The UK’s Waste Industry Safety and Health Forum (WISH) published a document offering advice for the waste management sector in dealing with coronavirus risks. It is expected that this document, which will be updated regularly as and when necessary, will become a key document for the industry.
You can view the document HERE However, it stresses that “it is not the intent of this information sheet to provide a comprehensive ‘one-stop-
shop’ for advice on COVID-19. The emphasis here is on waste management specific issues, with some general advice. You should also read and understand the freely available HM Government advice … and use this in conjunction with this document.”
The Prime Minister also announced that schools across the UK would close from Friday, 20 March, except for ‘vulnerable children’ and the children of key workers. After appeals from industry bodies including the ESA, the ‘key worker’ status was granted to the waste sector.
ESA executive director Jacob Hayler responded to the announcement saying: “We are pleased to see the government acknowledge the essential role of recycling and waste operatives during the COVID-19 pandemic…
“This was ESA members’ most pressing priority, but there are still many other issues around permitting rules, contractual performance and other technical areas unique to our sector, which the ESA is working with Defra and the Environment Agency to resolve.”
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