Issue link: http://psai.uberflip.com/i/1208025
Page 7 ASSOCIATIONINSIGHT Portable Sanitation Association International News BIWEEKLY EDITION FEBRUARY 5, 2020 Implications for Portable Sanitation At this point, no one knows how serious the spread of coronavirus will be outside of China. The global community is going to great lengths to isolate it by shutting down travel and putting other restrictions in place. For the general public outside China, most are unlikely to be exposed to this virus, and the immediate health risk from 2019-nCoV is considered low. However, cases have appeared in countries around the world. While not yet large in number, it only makes sense to educate yourself about the illness and stay on top of new information as it becomes available. It is also a good time to make sure your company plan for dealing with bloodborne pathogens is up to date. Check out the bloodborne pathogens article beginning on page 8 of this issue. At the moment there is simply no way to know if coronavirus could be transmitted through the work of a portable sanitation technician. If coronavirus behaves like similar viruses (e.g. MERS, SARS) it is more likely that portable sanitation personnel would be exposed through their contact with other workers than with waste, but it cannot be ruled out at this time. Because of this, and as a matter of course, workers should be sure they wearing their PPE when pumping waste and handling waste-related equipment. v Coronavirus and Portable Sanitation…continued from page 2 Carl Arriola Becky Peltzer Ami Dillenburg Ronda McMichael Jacky Ward Jonathan Sandoval Tony Watson Pictured at left, our seven operator Board candidates are vying for four open positions on the board. Pictured at lower right, our two non- operator candidates are competing for one open slot. Every Member company is entitled to one vote (according to their status as an operator or non-operator). Voting for the 2020–2021 PSAI board ends on February 14. If you haven't already voted, please take the time to weigh in on this important election. Select those candidates whom you believe will best represent every facet of the portable sanitation community. Still have questions? Please contact info@psai.org as soon as possible. We'll be glad to help you get to the ballots and make your choices known. v Nick Dunstan Michelle Amelse Last Chance to Elect Your Board—Votes Due by February 14