TSPCB ISSUES DO’s & DONT’s GUIDELINES

The Telangana State Pollution Control Board (TSPCB) on Friday released a long list of Covid-19 do’s and dont’s for health care establishments and the general public. They pertain to bio-medical waste management by various stakeholders, including urban local bodies.

The TSPCB has sought separate bins, bags and containers in wards and double-layered bags for collection of waste in isolation wards. PPE kits, goggles, faceshields and aprons should be collected in red bags. Used masks, head covers, caps, shoe covers, disposable gowns and overalls are to be collected in yellow bags.

Containers and bags used to collect biomedical waste from Covid-19 wards should be labelled as “Covid-10 waste”. Separate records should be maintained for such waste, which should be maintained by health care establishments and waste management companies. The waste is not to be stored beyond 24 hours.

The board has also directed establishments to have separate workers for handling biomedical waste and general solid waste. Workers employed at waste treatment facilities should be provided adequate PPE kits, it said. Covid-19 waste should be transported in dedicated vehicles, which should be sanitised using sodium hypochlorite or equivalent chemical after every trip.

Waste generated from suspected patients at home should be collected in yellow bags and handed over to authorised waste collectors. TSPCB also suggested that treated wastewater within health care establishments may be avoided during the pandemic as a precautionary measure.