Kadooment Aftermath – Hard work by SSA Employees & Sensitisation make for cleaner Crop Over

From Friday 1^st August to Sunday 3^rd August, teams of Sanitation workers were busy between 10:00 pm to 5:00 am cleaning litter, while on Grand Kadooment these crews operated from 2:00 pm along the National Stadium to the routes leading towards Spring Garden, ensuring all Crop Over waste was removed.

Party Monarch, Pic O’de Crop Semi-Finals & Finals as well as Cohobblopot & Grand Kadooment generated 92 tonnes of waste – compared with 90 tonnes in 2006 and 112 tonnes last year. This after an awareness campaign with vendors at the Blackrock Polyclinic in late July and an ongoing TV campaign on Channel 8.

More private entities came forward to use the Authority’s commercial services this year, such as the Wet Fete and Ten-To-Ten. Unfortunately, not all concert organisers were as conscientious – nevertheless, alert crews squared off any remains from these events.

Inspections of the routes along Spring Garden Highway and the Blackrock Main Road verified SSA teams did the main body of cleaning by early Tuesday morning, and back-up work was completed when stall owners and operators removed their stalls.

The Authority urges vendors to remember pallets are part of their stall and must be cleared in order to get back their deposit, so let’s all cooperate to keep Barbados clean. {NB - Before & After shots were approx. 5:00 pm & 7:00 am respectively}

PROPER HYGIENE PRACTICES FOR HANDLING FOOD AT ALL TIMES INCL. CROP OVER & KADOOMENT

A valid medical certificate is a must for stall owners and food handlers dealing with the preparation and sale of food at Crop Over events.

This reminder comes from the Chief Environmental Health Officer (Ag), Desmond King, who is also advising individuals that the certificate should be presented on the request of the Environmental Health Officer.

The advice is part of guidelines, developed by the Environmental Health Division to ensure that operators and their assistants maintain proper hygiene practices when serving the public, whether at Bridgetown Market, Cohobblopot, or Kadooment.

When serving food stall owners and assistants must wear head covering or hair restraints; no nail polish should be worn and nails should be trimmed and kept clean and no jewellery should be worn on the hands or around the neck.

Food handlers are also reminded that no sleeveless tops or vests should be worn when preparing or serving food; that light and single coloured shirts, tops or aprons should be worn and smoking is prohibited in food stalls.

The Environmental Health Division is also advising that food handlers be free of infected burns, boils, cuts or respiratory illnesses. They should wash their hands frequently and thoroughly (particularly before beginning work, after handling raw foods & after using the toilet) in order to prevent the contamination of food. Food handlers should use disposable paper towels and never wipe hands on aprons or clothing.

The chewing of gum or eating while preparing or serving food is also prohibited and the Division is suggesting that food handlers refrain from picking the nose, touching pimples and scratching the head or face.

Guidelines for the handling and storage of food should be adhered to at all times during this year’s Crop Over events.

Mr King is warning stall owners and food handlers that they must cooperate fully with the Environmental Health Officer and comply with the Health Services Food Hygiene Regulations (1969 CAP. 44). 

The penalty for violating the Regulations is a fine of $5,000 and, or imprisonment for 12 months.

There are several food handling and storage guidelines, which have been developed by the Environmental Health Division.

Individuals are reminded that they should store all foodstuff and water at least 18 inches from the ground; food and potable water must be stored in clean, covered containers and water storage containers should be fitted with taps.

Raw and prepared foods should be stored properly, for instance in covered containers, and they should be stored separately. Raw meat and meat products must be stored in small parcels.

According to the Division, all potentially hazardous foods including meat, chicken, fish and sausages, must be stored between layers of ice so as to keep the food at or below 40ºF.

There should be a constant supply of ice, and ice used for the storage of meat, fish or drinks, must not be used in the drinks when serving.

In addition, food handlers and assistants should never store or drag ice on the ground. When serving ice, scoops should be used, and the handle must never come in to contact with the ice.

Only wholesome canned foods should be used. Contents should be removed from the can immediately after opening or piercing, particularly in the case of high acid foods, such as fruit juices and sauces. Egg should not be used in batters and fish cake batters should not be stored in large containers (e.g. five gallon pails) but rather in containers small enough to be kept at a temperature of less than 40ºF.

Food handlers should not prepare large amounts of food unless there is provision to keep the food at or above 140º F or below 40ºF. They should use tongs when serving food (hands should not be used to serve food). All equipment and implements should be kept clean and sanitised.

Clean glasses or cups must be picked up by their bases but stall owners should consider the use of disposable cups and plates. Operators are further reminded that they should not touch the food contact surfaces of plates, and forks with their hands and should clean and sanitise knives and other utensils when switching from one product to another (for instance raw chicken to bread) to prevent cross contamination. 

Sanitation & ICBL host refresher on defensive driving for staff members

The Sanitation Service Authority recently held two seminars for drivers and lorryloaders on how best to take care of the Authority’s new vehicles – this session serving as a follow-up to a similar workshop 18 months ago.

St Sgt Rodney Inniss, Forensic Collision Investigator with the Royal Barbados Police Force, conducted a fascinating presentation on defensive driving with a contingent of SSA staff at the ICBL’s Country Road headquarters. This officer has held similar courses for Rayside Construction, CO Williams Companies, as well as BS & T and other businesses with vehicular fleets.

The Station Sergeant had a detailed presentation touching on many subjects and the audience was very receptive to the officer’s innovative approach. The investigator urged them to plan their routes carefully and to heed all traffic signs, rules and regulations.

The SSA’s Manager, Stanton Alleyne praised staff for their support during the challenging period of June 23 to June 27, he also reminded them of a TV campaign designed to encourage Barbadians to respect SSA workers more and employ best waste practices at all times. 

Michael Nicholls, Deputy Manager of Operations, in his segment urged crews to be aware that noises carry in early hours and while on such a shift it may be better to use a type of code or signal rather than shout instructions to each other. He also praised staff members for remembering to replace lids on bins which were emptied.

SSA Transport Superintendent, Mr. Elvin Chase, also spoke with workers on the proper procedures and techniques of preventative maintenance with all vehicles before and after starting a shift on the road.

Refuse arrangements in the City during Throne Speech of Parliament

The Sanitation Service Authority (SSA) is asking all businesses in and around Parliament to not put out their refuse between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm.

The SSA appreciates all cooperation given and urges everyone to keep Barbados clean.