At construction sites, masks, gloves, and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) must always be disposed of safely, regardless of whether they were used by a person with a confirmed or suspected case of Covid-19. The recommendation comes from Dr. Norma Araujo, superintendent of Iepac (Armênio Crestana Institute of Studies and Research) at Seconci-SP (Construction Social Service).
According to the doctor, the mask must be disposed of in a plastic bag, preferably in the bathroom trash. She draws attention to the provisions of Communique 17 of the Sanitary Surveillance Center of the São Paulo State Department of Health:
a) No mask should be discarded in a trash can or container reserved for recyclable waste or sent for recycling;
b) Masks, like any type of waste, should not be discarded in the streets, public places, or any location or container that is not suitable for waste disposal;
c) At the end of their use, the masks must be immediately packed in a closed and sealed plastic bag (primary packaging) which must be discarded inside a second bag (secondary packaging), the one in which the other waste from the residence or establishment is deposited;
d) When the mask, properly packaged in its primary packaging, is disposed of in containers (trash cans) designated for sanitary waste (toilet paper, disposable tissues, etc.), it is recommended that these have a lid and be lined with a disposable bag, remaining closed in compliance with good hygiene practices. When removing the waste from the trash can, the bag containing it must be securely closed and disposed of with the other waste to be set out for the regular collection of common, non-recyclable refuse;
e) As an alternative to disposal with sanitary waste generated at home or in an establishment, masks, properly placed in their primary packaging, can be disposed of directly in the final packaging (plastic garbage bag) where the waste generated at home or in the establishment is collected, provided that a container with a lid is used, kept in a restricted-access area while awaiting home or commercial collection;
f) It is recommended that masks, even when kept in their primary packaging, should not be disposed of in trash cans, with or without lids, such as those used in offices, kitchens, or private or public environments where people stay or pass through, including trash cans on public roads and thoroughfares, and they must be kept out of the reach of animals, insects, and children, as well as avoiding situations that could facilitate access by waste pickers.
Regarding the replacement periods for masks, Dr. Norma recommends that they occur every 2 or 3 hours (or, when damp, before that) in the case of disposable masks, and every work shift in the case of PFF2 respirators.
SOURCE:
CIPA Magazine
