Solid Waste Management Hosts Safety Training for Garbage Recyclers

Tyronne Chimilio

The Belize Solid Waste Management Authority has been instrumental in the implementation of transfer stations and the management of garbage at the dumpsite at miles three on the George Price Highway and along the western corridor. They have also constructed a solid waste sanitary landfill at mile twenty-four, also on the George Price Highway. But there is another component to the newly implemented structure. It includes the safety of the recyclers who take on the arduous task of separating recyclable materials disposed of at the transfer station where the old dumpsite once stood.  So today, an occupational safety and health and basic first aid training was held at the transfer station to ensure that recyclers receive their personal protective equipments and learn about the safety regulations that must be adhered to.

Tyronne Chimilio, Solid Waste Management Authority

“We want to further develop the waste management system here. With them taking out those recyclable materials, it has basically given evidence to why we say waste management…when you look at the materials, it becomes a resource than just garbage; it becomes a resource for them.”

Duane Moody

“It becomes an income generator…”

Tyronne Chimilio

“Of course and we want to emphasize that to the public. The social communication strategy involves the behavioral change that we need to see to make sure that all of this, the solid waste management project come to the forefront to the Belizean public that they can actually see that this is the way that we are going; this is what we need to do now to ensure that the system continues to mature.”

Phillip Waight

Phillip Waight, Electrical and Safety Engineer

“Hazards are wide-ranged in recycling. Garbage ranges from a simple piece of paper on to some very toxic gases and things that come out and some of them combined gives off more toxic gases. So you find that the range is wide; things that could cut you and juck you. You have fumes that can affect you and things that can cut your foot and things of the sort. So generally, working procedures are ideal; you have to know when to move, how to move, where to work.”

Tyronne Chimilio

“First of all, you are dealing with garbage; garbage is hazardous so for example if you go and open a bag and there are chemicals in there, automatically if that explodes it goes into your face. So it is important for you to have goggles, to have masks; to make sure that your hands are covered to protect you from bacteria. You have to have on your safety boots to make sure that sharp objects don’t penetrate and injure your foot. So it is important for the recyclers to have those things. Last week we issued personal protective equipment for them. So they have their gloves, their masks, their vests so they are well-protected when they work within the transfer station.”