RS RECYCLING COVID-19 POLICY
Update 13/12/2023
Government Guidance updated: https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus
RS Recycling Limited is still providing lateral flow tests for all employees if symptoms of COVID-19 occur. RS Recycling Ltd employees have had their COVID-19 vaccines
Update 21/03/2022
Government guidance updated: https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus
RS Recycling Limited is still providing lateral flow tests for all employees if symptoms of COVID-19 occur. RS Recycling Field operatives are taking Lateral Flow Tests twice weekly when visiting sites and on the road. They are also continuing to wear face coverings when customer sites require it. As per the Government guidelines, all RS Recycling Ltd employees have had their COVID-19 boosters and will continue to receive any additional boosters where recommended.
Update 04/01/2022
In addition to the measures introduced as a result of the last update, RS Recycling Ltd is providing Lateral Flow Tests for all employees. RS Recycling Field operatives are taking Lateral Flow Tests before all site visits to reduce the risk of transmission as much as possible.They are also continuing to wear face coverings whilst on customer sites unless directed specifically otherwise. As per the Government guidelines, RS Recycling Ltd Field Operatives have had their COVID-19 boosters and will continue to receive any additional boosters where recommended.
Update 10/08/2021
WISH Guidance updated: https://cdn.ca.emap.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2021/08/INFO-13-COVID19-and-waste-management-issue-11-6-Aug-21.pdf
In addition to the measures introduced as a result of the last update, RS Recycling Ltd field Operatives are taking a minimum of two LFT tests every week and will also take additional tests where requested by individual sites on attendance. Whist social distancing and mask weraing rules have been relaxed in England and Wales, RS Recycling Ltd field operatives will continue to wear face masks whilst on customer sites unless directed specifically otherwise.
Update 07/06/2021
WISH Guidance updated. The latest version (V10) of WISH’s COVID-19 information document was released on the 23rd of April 2021 and is, as of the above date, the most up-to-date guidance for the waste management industry. RS Recycling Ltd Field Operatives continue to follow the COVID-19 Safe Operating Procedure 26/10/20 detailed below. Field Operatives have all received both doses of the Covid-19 Vaccine and complete two rapid lateral flow tests every week in line with Government Guidance. Every RS Recycling Field Operative also has the NHS Test and Trace App installed on their mobile phone. Where security considerations permit, Field Operatives will "check in" to site locations using the App.
WISH GUIDANCE:
https://www.wishforum.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/INFO-13.pdf.
UPDATE 10/01/2021
WISH Guidance has been updated. The latest guidance is a “routine maintenance” update that doesn’t contain any significant changes of approach. The latest guidance tries to include additional experience gained with the management controls since the August version, new scientific understanding of the virus and its transmission routes since that time, and to update the plethora of links that it contains to relevant additional guidance and help.
WISH Guidance:
https://www.wishforum.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/INFO-13-COVID19-and-waste-management-activities-issue-9-6-Jan-2021.pdf
UPDATE 04/11/2020
In addition to the policy as updated on the 26/10/2020. During the lockdown period, RS Recycling will continue to offer all services where safety, security and environmental compliance is not compromised by the prevailing COVID lockdown. Each project will be risk assessed prior to undertaking any work to ensure that all aspects of safety, security and environmental compliance can be met during the project. RS Recycling will advise it's client(s) that the project should be delayed or cancelled if it is felt that any aspect of compliance cannot be met during the prevailing COVID lockdown.
UPDATE 26/10/2020
It remains the policy of RS Recycling Limited to follow all government and industry body guidance with regard to operating safely during the Covid-19 outbreak.
RS Recycling Limited continues to operate with all office/administration work being conducted from home locations. This does not affect the operational capability of RS Recycling Limited.
Operational work continues to go ahead as planned, with increased hygiene and other precautions stated in the Safe Operating Procedures of the business being followed at all times.
In line with the guidance laid out in HMG “Working safely during COVID-19 in or from a vehicle” RS Recycling have complied with the government’s guidance on managing the risk of COVID-19.
-
RS Recycling Limited have carried out a COVID-19 risk assessment and shared the results with the people who work for the company. RS Recycling will share information on request to assist clients and vendor sites.
-
RS Recycling Limited have cleaning, hand-washing and hygiene procedures in line with guidance in place.
-
RS Recycling Limited have taken all reasonable steps to help people work from home.
-
RS Recycling Limited have taken all reasonable steps to maintain a 2m distance in the workplace.
-
RS Recycling Limited have, where people cannot be 2m apart, done everything practical to manage transmission risk.
COVID-19 SAFE OPERATING PROCEDURE 26/10/2020
Person-to-person interaction is to be kept to a minimum and at a maintained 2m distance where interaction is required. RS Recycling operatives will actively seek to avoid entering client buildings and especially enclosed office spaces and meeting rooms. Entry in to warehouse areas will be minimised in terms of frequency and duration of occurrence.
RS Recycling operatives will wear clean face covering masks whilst attending or working on client sites. Face covering masks will be worn whilst inside buildings and while outside of buildings in yards and other client areas. The use of client site welfare facilities is to be kept to a minimum and where required, used as instructed by the client. Where requested, RS Recycling operatives will follow any client specific instructions designed to reduce the spread of COVID-19, so long as by following the instructions they do not increase the likelihood of contracting COVID-19 themselves.
Operatives have been provided with the following equipment:
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Non-sterile, nitrile, single use gloves
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Disposable hand wipes
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Hand sanitising spray & antibacterial gel
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Disposable paper towels
-
Face Covering Mask(s) (regularly laundered)
-
FFP3 NR respirators (disposable)
-
Dedicated vehicle waste bin
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Portable document scanning equipment
-
Portable printer
-
Portable electronic signature equipment
-
A dedicated set of pens and markers allocated to each vehicle
-
To stay in the vehicle for use only with gloved hands. The in the rear of the vehicle to be used for signing off documentation or marking items/pallets/waste prior to transport.
-
GLOVES ON/OFF PROCEDURE OUTLINE:
The cab of the vehicle is designated “gloves-off”
The rear of the vehicle and the client site is designated “gloves-on”.
On arrival at a client site, operatives will cleanse their hands and then utilise single-use non-sterile nitrile gloves for the duration of their time on site (gloves-on).
Where client interaction is needed, all parties to maintain so far as is reasonably practicable, a distance of 2 metres between persons.
No handshakes, fist bumps or other similar greetings that involve physical contact.
All site activity is to be “gloves-on”.
Prior to leaving site, operatives will remove gloves and cleanse their hands.
All cleansing waste and other incidental detritus will be deposited in the dedicated waste bin on the vehicle.
Operatives will enter the vehicle cab with “gloves-off”.
Items designated “gloves on” will be periodically cleansed but will remain “gloves on” until disposal is required.
FACE COVERINGS
Operatives will wear face coverings at all times whilst on client or guest sites unless they are required to wear a respirator instead. Face coverings are issued by RS Recycling as and when needed. Multiple sets of clean face coverings are available to each operative every day. This allows cleanliness and good hygiene to be maintained during extended working hours on site and during extended periods away from the main operation. A selection of re-useable and single-use face coverings are available to each operative.
RESPIRATOR PROCEDURE:
Operatives will NOT wear respirators unless specifically directed to do so for one of two reasons.
1. Instructed to do so in order to comply with guest/client site rules.
2. Where the minimum 2m social distancing rule cannot be maintained reasonably on site. This does not apply, nor allow, 2 man lifts of equipment or material or other team working practices.
DOCUMENTATION PROCEDURE OUTLINE:
Due to the nature of the work carried out by RS Recycling it is sometimes necessary to exchange documentation. Where this is essential and cannot be avoided, all effort will be made to ensure that documents are only passed one-way, from the client to RS Recycling. Documentation will be stored in the rear load compartment of the vehicle and will be handled with gloved hands. If permitted by the process, the documents will be scanned to the consignee rather be physically passed on. Should this be the case, the redundant documentation will be shredded after a period of 72 hrs.
In all other circumstances, documentation will be provided by RS Recycling and will be scanned to the client in advance of arrival for pre-signing by the client.
Client signed documentation will be passed to RS Recycling in advance of collection. RS Recycling will counter sign all documentation (digitally or by hand) and scan all documentation (signed by the client and RS Recycling) to the client directly after collection.
A copy of the signed off waste note will be scanned to the disposal/destruction facility to be available on arrival.
All hard-copy documentation will be placed in the dedicated vehicle waste bin (and will be subsequently destroyed). No documentation in hard copy will be exchanged at collection (POC) or delivery (POD).
A copy of the signed off waste note will be sent to the collection vehicle drivers phone to be available if stopped during transit.
On arrival at the POD a copy of the waste note signed in section E will be scanned by RS Recycling as proof of delivery at POD.
COMPLIANCE WITH GUEST SITE RULES STATEMENT:
Operatives will comply with all client site rules regarding health safety and welfare at all times.
Where requested, extra client instigated hand sanitising systems will be utilised.
Where requested, in line with the procedure above, respirators may be worn.
RISK ASSESSMENT:
A full Covid-19 Risk Assessment has been conducted by RS Recycling Limited. To request a copy, email: rob.smith@rsrecycling.co.uk
END
UPDATE 14/05/2020
RS Recycling have recently completed a comprehensive Covid-19 Risk Assessment which has highlighted some additional measures that can improve the safety of services with regard to the ongoing Covid-19 outbreak. The revised policy is reproduced below and is supported by procedures developed from the Risk Assessment and government guidance which can be viewed by following the web address below:
HMG Guidance:
HSE Guidance:
https://www.hse.gov.uk/news/assets/docs/working-safely-guide.pdf
WISH Guidance:
https://wishforum.org.uk/?page_id=198
POLICY EXTRACT 14/05/2020:
It is the policy of RS Recycling Limited to follow all government and industry body guidance with regard to operating safely during the Covid-19 outbreak.
RS Recycling Limited continues to operate with all office/administration work being conducted from home locations. This does not affect the operational capability of RS Recycling Limited.
Operational work continues to go ahead as planned, with increased hygiene and other precautions stated in the Safe Operating Procedures of the business being followed at all times.
In line with the guidance laid out in HMG “Working safely during COVID-19 in or from a vehicle” RS Recycling have complied with the government’s guidance on managing the risk of COVID-19.
-
RS Recycling Limited have carried out a COVID-19 risk assessment and shared the results with the people who work for the company. RS Recycling will share information on request to assist clients and vendor sites.
-
RS Recycling Limited have cleaning, hand-washing and hygiene procedures in line with guidance in place.
-
RS Recycling Limited have taken all reasonable steps to help people work from home.
-
RS Recycling Limited have taken all reasonable steps to maintain a 2m distance in the workplace.
-
RS Recycling Limited have, where people cannot be 2m apart, done everything practical to manage transmission risk.
COVID-19 SAFE OPERATING PROCEDURE 14/05/2020
Person-to-person interaction is to be kept to a minimum and at a maintained 2m distance where interaction is required.
Operatives have been provided with the following equipment:
-
Non-sterile, nitrile, single use gloves
-
Disposable hand wipes
-
Hand sanitising spray & antibacterial gel
-
Disposable paper towels
-
FFP3 NR respirators (disposable)
-
Dedicated waste bin
-
Portable document scanning equipment
-
Portable printer
-
Portable electronic signature equipment
-
A dedicated set of pens and markers allocated to each vehicle
-
To stay in the vehicle for use only with gloved hands. The in the rear of the vehicle to be used for signing off documentation or marking items/pallets/waste prior to transport.
-
GLOVES ON/OFF PROCEDURE OUTLINE:
The cab of the vehicle is designated “gloves-off”
The rear of the vehicle and the client site is designated “gloves-on”.
On arrival at a client site, operatives will cleanse their hands and then utilise single-use non-sterile nitrile gloves for the duration of their time on site (gloves-on).
Where client interaction is needed, all parties to maintain so far as is reasonably practicable, a distance of 2 metres between persons.
No handshakes, fist bumps or other similar greetings that involve physical contact.
All site activity is to be “gloves-on”.
Prior to leaving site, operatives will remove gloves and cleanse their hands.
All cleansing waste and other incidental detritus will be deposited in the dedicated waste bin on the vehicle.
Operatives will enter the vehicle cab with “gloves-off”.
Items designated “gloves on” will be periodically cleansed but will remain “gloves on” until disposal is required.
RESPIRATOR PROCEDURE:
Operatives will NOT wear respirators unless specifically directed to do so for one of two reasons.
1. Instructed to do so in order to comply with guest site rules.
2. Where the minimum 2m social distancing rule cannot be maintained reasonably on site. This does not apply, nor allow, 2 man lifts of equipment or material or other team working practices.
Face protection in the form of non-surgical masks or material face covers is not covered by this procedure.
DOCUMENTATION PROCEDURE OUTLINE:
All documentation will be provided by RS Recycling and will be scanned to the client in advance of arrival for pre-signing by the client.
Client signed documentation will be passed to RS Recycling in advance of collection. RS Recycling will counter sign all documentation (digitally or by hand) and scan all documentation (signed by the client and RS Recycling) to the client directly after collection.
A copy of the signed off waste note will be scanned to the disposal/destruction facility to be available on arrival.
All hard-copy documentation will be placed in the dedicated vehicle waste bin (and will be subsequently destroyed). No documentation in hard copy will be exchanged at collection (POC) or delivery (POD).
A copy of the signed off waste note will be sent to the collection vehicle drivers phone to be available if stopped during transit.
On arrival at the POD a copy of the waste note signed in section E will be scanned by RS Recycling as proof of delivery at POD.
COMPLIANCE WITH GUEST SITE RULES STATEMENT:
Operatives will comply with all client site rules regarding health safety and welfare at all times.
Where requested, extra client instigated hand sanitising systems will be utilised.
Where requested, face covers may be worn.
Where requested, in line with the procedure above, respirators may be worn.
RISK ASSESSMENT:
A full Covid-19 Risk Assessment has been conducted by RS Recycling Limited. To request a copy, email: rob.smith@rsrecycling.co.uk
END
UPDATE 06/05/2020:
We are currently reviewing our policy and this statement. We expect to be able to issue further updates on the 11th May 2020.
UPDATE 27/04/2020:
The Waste Industry Safety and Health (WISH) Forum has recently (23rd April) updated guidance for the waste management industry. Our processes to deal with COVID-19 are in line with the requirements set out within this guidance. Please follow the link below for the full guidance document :
https://wishforum.org.uk/?page_id=198
UPDATE 24/03/2020:
We continue to operate our services with increased hygiene and social distancing measures in place. We are carefully following government guidance whilst we offer our services [https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus].
We are constantly monitoring the viability of our services in terms of safety, environmental and security compliance. We reserve the right to cancel collections or projects at short notice if we feel that we cannot, for whatever reason, provide the service that we have quoted for.
PLEASE BE AWARE THAT CANCELLATIONS WILL BECOME MORE LIKELY AS WE PROGRESS THROUGH THE COVID-19 OUTBREAK.
PUBLISHED 16/03/2020:
Due to the severity of the Corona Virus, RS Recycling has put together a policy to help reduce the spread of the virus where possible as a result of its activities.
The steps that are in place are as follows:
Person-to-person interaction is to be kept to a minimum.
Our operatives have been provided with the following equipment:
Non-sterile, nitrile, single use gloves
Disposable hand wipes
Hand sanitising spray
Disposable paper towels
Dedicated waste bin
A dedicated set of pens and markers allocated to each vehicle and these will stay in the vehicle for use only with gloved hands. These will stay in the rear of the vehicle to be used for signing off documentation or marking items/pallets/waste prior to transport.
The cab of the vehicle is designated “gloves-off”
The rear of the vehicle and the client site is designated “gloves-on”.
On arrival at a client site, our operatives will cleanse their hands and then utilise single-use non-sterile nitrile gloves for the duration of their time on site (gloves-on).
Where client interaction is needed, we will encourage all parties to maintain so far as is reasonably practicable, a distance of 2 metres between persons.
No handshakes, fist bumps or other similar greetings that involve physical contact.
All site activity is to be “gloves-on”.
Prior to leaving site, our operatives will remove gloves and cleanse their hands.
All waste will be deposited in the dedicated waste bin on the vehicle.
Operatives will enter the vehicle cab with “gloves-off”.
Items designated “gloves on” will be periodically cleansed but will remain “gloves on” until disposal is required.
Our operatives will comply with all client site rules regarding health safety and welfare at all times. Where requested, extra client instigated hand sanitising systems will be utilised.
We are taking advise from GOV.UK and from our government sector contacts and clients. All office work is being conducted from home. This does not affect our operational capability.
Until we are advised otherwise, operational work will go ahead as planned, with our increased hygiene and other precautions stated above in place.
Please see the summary of advice sourced from: GOV.UK