SAFETY UPDATES
Free Face Coverings for Solid Waste Workers – SWANA is now collecting orders online for free cloth face coverings through July 17 on behalf of anyone working in the U.S. solid waste and recycling industry. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), along with other federal partners, are distributing these face coverings at no cost to essential critical infrastructure workers in the United States and have asked SWANA to assist in the distribution.
These face coverings are available to anyone in the industry and are not limited to SWANA members. The order page with FAQ is available at https://swana.org/initiatives/free-cloth-face-coverings.
The free cloth face coverings are intended for solid waste and recycling workers in the United States, Puerto Rico, Guam, and other U.S. Territories, who do not need medical-grade personal protective equipment (PPE) for their daily work. Operations that support the industry, including equipment manufacturers, are also eligible to receive the face coverings. Many states and local governments are requiring or recommending facial coverings for essential workers.
The face coverings are 100% cotton and contain silver and copper, which FEMA says may help kill or stop the growth of viruses and germs. A minimum order of a single box containing 500 face coverings is required. Recipients are urged to share with others in the industry should they be unable to use all of the coverings provided.
Covid-19 – Many workplaces and communities are still rightly concerned about the potential risks of exposure to the COVID-19. All of us are looking for ways to plan for and manage the long-term impacts related to COVID-19. Beacause information about the virus continues to evolve, SWANA has been updating and revising the resources available on their Guidance on Coronavirus page, be sure to scroll through the page for links to the latest information.
