GRADE 9 Agriculture HYGIENE PRACTICES – CLEANING WASTE DISPOSAL FACILITIES Notes

CLEANING WASTE DISPOSAL FACILITIES

Subject: Agriculture • Topic: Hygiene Practices • Subtopic: Cleaning Waste Disposal Facilities
Age: 14 (Kenya) — simple, practical steps for farms, homes and school farms.

Why cleaning waste facilities matters

• Prevents diseases (diarrhoea, cholera, skin infections).
• Stops bad smells and keeps flies away.
• Protects water sources (springs, wells, rivers).
• Makes compost safe to use on crops.

Common types of farm waste

• Organic: crop residues, kitchen scraps, animal manure (compostable).
• Recyclable: plastics, paper, tins (clean before reuse).
• Hazardous: empty pesticide containers, used oil, expired chemicals, sharps (need special handling).
• Human/animal waste: latrines, dead animals (handled carefully).

Simple colour code to sort waste (easy for a school/farm)

Green = Organic (compost)

Blue = Recyclables

Black = General waste

Red = Hazardous / toxic

Cleaning steps for common facilities

1) Latrines and pit toilets

• Wear PPE: gloves, gumboots, mask and eye protection if splashes are possible. 🧤👢
• Remove surface dirt with a stick or small shovel. Do not stick hands in the pit.
• Wash floor and seat with soap and water, then rinse.
• Apply disinfectant following product instructions (ask your teacher/extension officer for the correct dilution).
• Keep latrine door closed and ventilated. Clean weekly and after heavy use.
• If a pit is full, contact the county sanitation team or a licensed pit emptier — do not empty without trained help.

2) Compost pits and manure stores

• Turn compost with a long stick or fork — wear gloves. Turning helps aeration and reduces smell.
• Remove large plastics and sharp objects first.
• Keep compost moist but not soggy. Cover to keep animals out.
• Mature compost (ready to use) should be kept for at least 3–6 months to kill pathogens.
• Clean surrounding area and tools after use. Store tools off the ground.

3) Garbage pits / collection points

• Segregate waste at source (use colour-coded bins or labelled sacks).
• Remove wet organic waste first and cover it to reduce flies.
• Collect recyclables separately and send to recycling centres or buy-back points in town.
• Clean the pit edges, lids and tools with soap and water; disinfect if needed.
• Do daily spot checks; clean weekly with soap and water.

4) Incinerators / ash pits (small farm incinerators)

• Only burn permitted items (paper, some clinic waste if authorised). Do not burn plastics or chemicals — these give toxic smoke.
• Let ash cool completely before handling. Use a metal shovel and wear gloves.
• Collect ash and bury in a dedicated ash pit or mix into compost if not toxic.
• Inspect and clean the incinerator grate and walls monthly.

5) Hazardous waste (pesticide containers, oils, sharps)

• Never pour pesticide residues into drains, gardens or water sources.
• Follow label instructions: many bottles must be triple-rinsed, punctured and returned to supplier or taken to collection points — ask your county agricultural office or extension officer for the nearest collection day.
• Store hazardous waste in a locked, labelled container until it is taken by a licensed handler or to a hazardous-waste facility (NEMA guidance).
• Sharps (broken glass, needles) go in a hard puncture-proof container, sealed and taken to a safe disposal site.

Tools, cleaning agents and PPE

• Tools: broom, shovel, rake, long-handled fork, metal shovel for ash.
• PPE: gloves, gumboots, mask, apron, eye protection.
• Cleaning agents: soap and water for routine cleaning. For disinfection use commercial disinfectant or bleach as directed on the product label — always follow dilution and safety instructions.
• Have a first-aid kit and water for washing in case of splashes.

Cleaning schedule — simple plan

• Daily: remove wet organic waste; check latrine cleanliness; empty small bins.
• Weekly: wash floors/seats, clean bin lids, turn compost.
• Monthly: inspect pits, clean incinerator, check PPE condition.
• After spill: clean immediately using PPE, contain spill, disinfect area, and report if chemical.

What to do in case of accidents or spills

• Move people away from the spill. Wear PPE before you approach. 🚫
• Stop the source (close container) if safe. Contain the spill with soil or sand.
• Clean liquids with absorbent material, collect and place in a sealed container labelled “hazardous”.
• If anyone is exposed, wash the skin or eyes with plenty of clean water and seek medical help.
• Report large or chemical spills to the county agricultural office or NEMA for guidance.

Who to contact in Kenya

• Your county agricultural extension officer — for guidance on pesticides and farm waste.
• County public health or environmental health officer — for sanitation and latrine issues.
• NEMA (National Environment Management Authority) — for hazardous waste and large disposal questions.
• Local veterinary office (for animal carcasses, disease suspicion).

Short checklist for cleaning day (use or print)

1. Put on PPE.
2. Empty and sort bins (organic, recyclable, general, hazardous).
3. Clean latrines and apply disinfectant as needed.
4. Turn compost and remove large contaminants.
5. Collect recyclables and arrange transport to collection point.
6. Secure hazardous waste and notify proper authorities.
7. Wash tools and store them dry.
8. Record any problems and report to the teacher/farm manager.

Need help? Ask your teacher, county extension officer or the local environmental health officer. Keeping waste areas clean keeps everyone healthy and protects our land and water.