❓ A parliamentary question regarding a trial program where school cleaners dispose of sanitary and nappy waste in regular skip bins, and the subsequent expansion of this program to other schools. The question raises concerns about job descriptions and compensation.
AnsweredQoN 3221Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the trial at Wandina and Treendale Primary Schools this year for school cleaners to use ordinary skip bins on site to dispose of sanitary and nappy waste instead of specialised sanitary waste disposal services (e.g. Services like Pink, Canon Hygiene etc.) and ask: (a) can the Minister confirm the Department of Education changed the sanitary and nappy waste bin collection process in other country schools before the completion and evaluation of the trial; (b) which schools are now using in-house cleaners to empty nappy bins and sanitary waste bins; (c) is the Department of Education intending to expand this system to other schools in 2015 and if so, which schools; and (d) can the Minister confirm the collection of sanitary waste is not in the job description of school cleaners, and if so: (i) what will happen where cleaners refuse to undertake this task; and (ii) will school cleaners receive an additional allowance if they provide this service?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
18 February 2015
Responded by
Minister representing the Minister for Education
Response time
84 days
(a) No. Treendale Primary School and Wandina Primary School were the only country schools where the alternative in-house waste disposal system was trialled.
(b) As at November 2014,Como Secondary College, Treendale Primary School, and Wandina Primary School used day-labour cleaners to empty nappy bins and sanitary waste bins as part of the trial.
(c) Yes. As from February 2015 all non-metropolitan schools will change to an in-house waste disposal system.
(d)(i-ii)
Disposable nappies and sanitary napkins are classified as general waste suitable for landfill by the Department of Health - Operational Directive 0259/09. As such, these items are suitable for disposal by day-labour cleaners as general rubbish and this is provided for in the cleaners' job description.
(b) As at November 2014,Como Secondary College, Treendale Primary School, and Wandina Primary School used day-labour cleaners to empty nappy bins and sanitary waste bins as part of the trial.
(c) Yes. As from February 2015 all non-metropolitan schools will change to an in-house waste disposal system.
(d)(i-ii)
Disposable nappies and sanitary napkins are classified as general waste suitable for landfill by the Department of Health - Operational Directive 0259/09. As such, these items are suitable for disposal by day-labour cleaners as general rubbish and this is provided for in the cleaners' job description.
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