If you have female employees, then you should provide sanitary bins in the workplace.
This is not only a legal requirement, but it’s also good for employee morale and productivity.
In this blog post, we’ll explore the legal requirements for providing sanitary bins in the workplace, as well as some tips on how to manage them effectively.
Sanitary Bins in the Duty of Care Act
The first point to consider is that sanitary bins are required by law in the UK.
The Duty of Care Act 1990 requires employers to provide “suitable facilities” for the disposal of waste, and this includes sanitary waste.
Failure to comply with this law can result in heavy fines.
Sanitary Bins in The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992
In addition to the Duty of Care Act, there are also specific regulations relating to sanitary bins in the workplace.
The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 state that toilets must have a “suitable means for the disposal of sanitary towels and other similar waste”.
Again, failure to comply with these regulations can lead to heavy fines.
How Can I Implement Sanitary Bins For My Employees?
So now that we’ve established that you need to provide sanitary bins in the workplace, let’s take a look at how you can implement them effectively. Here are a few tips:
1. Make sure they’re easily accessible – Sanitary bins should be located close to toilets and washrooms so that employees can easily find them when they need them.
2. Train staff on how to use them – It’s important that all staff know how to use the sanitary bins properly. They should be trained on what can be disposed of in them, and how often they need to be emptied.
3. Keep them clean and well-maintained – Sanitary bins should be regularly cleaned and maintained so that they’re always hygienic and safe to use.
4. Empty them regularly – Sanitary bins should be emptied frequently so that they don’t become overloaded and pose a health hazard. A good rule of thumb is to empty them at least once per week, dependent on the employee to bin ratio you have.
How Do I Manage Sanitary Bin Waste in My Workplace?
Once you’ve implemented sanitary bins in your workplace, you’ll need to think about how you’re going to manage the waste they generate. Here are a few tips:
1. Use an accredited waste management company – When it comes to disposing of sanitary waste, it’s important to use an accredited waste management company who will dispose of it safely and responsibly.
2. Use colour-coded bags – Colour-coded bags make it easy to identify which type of waste is being disposed of, which is important for both safety and compliance purposes.
3. Label everything correctly – All bags and containers should be clearly labelled with what type of waste they contain so that there’s no confusion when it comes time to dispose of them.
4. Store waste safely – Once you’ve collected the waste from the sanitary bin, it’s important to store it safely until it can be collected by the waste management company
5. Keep a record of collections – It’s a good idea to keep a record of all collections so that you can keep track of when the bin was last emptied and ensure that it’s being done regularly enough.
As an employer, you have a legal responsibility to provide suitable facilities for the disposal of waste, including sanitary waste.
In this blog post, we’ve explored the legal requirements for providing sanitary disposal facilities in the workplace, as well as some tips on how to manage them effectively.
Envirotec Hygiene Services can provide your business with sanitary bins as well as manage the waste they collect. Get in touch with your requirements today.