Several public services maintain their operations during COVID-19, among others is the fecal sludge management service. In order to ensure the service is delivered safely, the fecal sludge management workers need to have knowledge and apply the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS).
This is the reason as to why the Ministry of Public Works and Housing (MPWH), FORKALIM, and USAID IUWASH PLUS conducted Virtual Classes on the OHS for the Onsite Domestic Wastewater Management during the COVID-19 pandemic. These virtual classes consisted of three parts. The first class conducted on May 11, 2020, the second class was on May 15, 2020, and the third was on May 20, 2020.
Each virtual class featured the experts in the OHS, septage management specialists, as well as representatives from the MPWH and domestic wastewater management operators. They discussed various topics related to the OHS for the domestic wastewater management in each virtual class.
The first class highlighted the OHS during the desludging service and septage transportation. The second class focused on the OHS in the septage treatment plant, while the third talked about the OHS management system in the fecal sludge management.
Zainuddin Azis, a participant from Bappeda of Kendari city who joined the first and third classes, said that this knowledge is helpful for the fecal sludge management workers to protect themselves while performing their jobs during the COVID-19.
“We hope that this activity will continue at least until the COVID-19 pandemic is over because sanitation and hygiene have become important issues and receive attention during the pandemic,” said the Head of Wastewater Sub-Directorate of MPWH, Mr. Suharsono.
Thus, the MPWH expects that the virtual class will help community and operators to obtain proper knowledge on fecal sludge management during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The virtual classes were held through Googlemeets and live broadcast on USAID IUWASH PLUS’ YouTube channel and FORKALIM’s Facebook account.
Recorded virtual classes are accessible through Youtube airsanitasi.
