Issue link: http://psai.uberflip.com/i/1084319
120 2019 INDUSTRY RESOURCE DIRECTORY Personal Protective Equipment: What Is Required for Portable Sanitation Technicians? Safety and Health Insurance carriers raise requirements. In the summer of 2016, the PSAI fielded an inquiry from a Member who said a worker's comp insurance carrier was mandating the company to provide what seemed to be an unusual list of PPE for its portable sanitation technicians. The carrier was basing its requirement on an interpretation of OSHA and CDC standards for bloodborne pathogens, stating its representatives believed there is a: "…reasonable likelihood that [the technicians] could be exposed to blood-borne and other pathogens due to splashes from pumping, moving, and otherwise handling porta-potties." The list of PPE the carrier was citing as required included plastic face shields, rubber or Tyvek suits, rubber gloves, and rubber boots. This prompted an email to the PSAI to see what standards the Association has in place so that a more informed discussion could take place with the carrier's representatives. PSAI standards have been in place since 1992. More than 25 years ago, the committee of portable sanitation experts who wrote the standards that led to the Portable Sanitation Professional certification program determined that: "Personnel cleaning units will wear rubber gloves at all times when servicing equipment and recommend work gloves when moving equipment. Safety goggles will be utilized by all certified personnel. Eyewash shall be provided as recommended per OSHA 1910.151(c) or local regulation. Proper foot protection is also recommended per OSHA 1910.136(a) or local regulation." In addition to the requirements stated in this standard, hard hats should be worn on worksites, and lifting belts are recommended when loading and unloading units. Consequently, the PSAI standard would seem to be at odds with what the insurance carrier was mandating. So where did the carrier come up with its list of requirements? CDC guidance contains "recommended" equipment. We surmise the insurance company representative was probably referring to equipment listed in the CDC's guidance here: www.cdc.gov/healthywater/global/sanitation/ workers_handlingwaste.html. This list includes: • Goggles: to protect eyes from splashes of human waste or sewage • Protective face mask or splash-proof face shield: to protect nose and mouth from splashes of human waste or sewage • Liquid-repellent coveralls: to keep human waste or sewage off clothing • Waterproof gloves: to prevent exposure to human waste or sewage • Rubber boots: to prevent exposure to human waste or sewage We agree that steps should be taken to reduce the risk of transmitting disease through contact with human waste; and there are some important things to keep in mind: • Hand washing is the single most important preventive step in avoiding the transmission of disease. • The list of PPE provided by the CDC is recommended rather than required. Better worksites. Better weekends. Better world. EXCLUSIVE MEMBERS-ONLY CONTENT REDACTED Join us now at www.psai.org for access to this valuable information.