Sanitary bins at fire stations
Guidelines are now available to provide advice to brigades on the supply of sanitary bins and the disposal of sanitary products at CFA fire stations.
CFA is committed to ensuring a healthy and inclusive environment for all members.
CFA recently received some queries from members seeking advice about the disposal of sanitary products.in brigade stations. To provide clarity about the minimum standard required, CFA recently issued guidance to assist those seeking advice.
All brigade locations where toilets are available, must have a process in place for the disposal and removal of sanitary products to ensure appropriate facilities and accommodations are provided for all members.
Under the guidance the following advice is provided:
- Having commercial arrangements for the supply and collection of sanitary bins is not a CFA requirement. It is open to brigades to determine their own needs in consultation with local management using a risk-based approach.
- The guideline does not change or remove existing commercial arrangements a brigade may have in place.
- It is sufficient that brigades use a standard plastic rubbish bin(s) with a lid labelled ‘Disposal of sanitary items’ with standard bin liners that can be placed in toilets for use by all members.
- Supply and access to these items (plastic bins, bin liners and sticky labels) is through usual brigade and district purchasing arrangements.
- Disposal of sanitary items can be done via the standard rubbish collection, noting that sanitary items are not considered clinical waste.
- Bins should be emptied regularly and a roster should be established to support this.
- The person responsible for emptying must wear disposable gloves and remove the bin liner with its contents from the bin and securely tie it up to avoid contact with contents. It should immediately be placed in external general rubbish bins for collection.
- each location will have different needs and circumstances, so each location should consider its own circumstances when deciding what’s practical, reasonable and appropriate for that location.
View and download: CFA Guidelines - Disposal of personal sanitary products
View and download: FAQs – Disposal of personal sanitary products