The National Waste & Recycling Association (NWRA) published a poster its member companies can display to help protect waste collection workers from COVID-19. The poster illustrates best practices such as handwashing, using personal protective equipment and maintaining social distancing.
“Based on current knowledge, we are not dealing with a true airborne hazard. Droplets quickly fall to the ground or other surfaces where they remain,” said NWRA President and CEO Darrell Smith in a statement. “Touching waste and then touching one’s face is the real hazard, and our people are wearing gloves and washing hands often. At this time, we are not aware of any significant public health hazard from waste operations. We encourage employees to follow the guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control highlighted in our poster.”
NWRA recognizes that waste collection workers are on the frontlines and is committed to making sure that they have the resources to do their jobs safely.
