Guidance on how PPE protects you in the workplace
Public Health England have updated their guidance on the use of personal protective equipment. Including guidance on how PPE protects you in the workplace when you wear it.
Those most at risk within the UK are professionals working in SEN schools, health, and social care sectors. Particularly because they are in prolonged close contact with individuals who could be symptomatic or are particularly vulnerable to infection.
The guidance is set out for care homes. However, the principles remain the same to anyone providing personal care to individuals. Especially those in homes, SEN schools, and hospices.
Disposable Gloves
Disposable gloves protect you from picking up the COVID-19 virus from the environment. Such as contaminated surfaces or directly from people with COVID-19.
Disposable gloves are recommended when providing personal care and when exposure to body fluids is likely. Disposable gloves are single use and must be disposed of immediately after completion of a procedure or task and after every individual. After that, remember to clean your hands. Take care not to touch your face, mouth, or eyes when you are wearing gloves.
Disposable plastic aprons
Disposable plastic aprons protect your uniform or clothes from contamination when providing care to individuals.
When providing personal care and when exposure to body fluids is likely, you must wear a disposable plastic apron. Disposable plastic aprons are single use and you must dispose of them immediately after completion of a procedure or task and after every individual. Remember to clean your hands.
Eye protection
Eye protection provides a barrier to protect your eyes from respiratory droplets. For example, by a repeatedly coughing person in care, and from splashing of secretions (e.g. of body fluids or excretions such as vomit). Eye protection should cover the eye or face completely which means prescription spectacles are not sufficient.
Most eye protection is reusable; you should check and follow the manufacturer’s instructions. You can also check local infection control policy on how to clean and disinfect between uses. If eye protection is labelled as for single use, then you should dispose of it of after removal.
Type IIR surgical masks
Fluid repellent surgical masks (FRSM), which are Type IIR surgical masks, provide additional protection from respiratory droplets produced by individuals (e.g. when they cough or sneeze).
Wearing a surgical mask additionally protects people by minimising the risk of passing on infection from yourself (via secretions or droplets from your mouth, nose, and lungs) to residents or pupils when you are caring for them.
Type II masks
Wearing a Type II surgical mask provides a barrier, protecting your mouth and nose from an individual’s respiratory secretions. If you are giving personal care to a resident or pupil, Type II masks are not recommended.
Type I masks
Type I masks do not protect the staff member wearing the mask, but they may prevent spread of COVID-19 in the care setting. These masks prevent the staff member from passing on the virus to other people when they are wearing the mask. For example, through coughing or via their hands after touching their mouth or nose and then touching surfaces.
Remember: PPE is just one way of protecting staff at work. Handwashing, workplace cleaning practices and risk assessments also play an important role in infection prevention and control.
Fix your PPE Supply costs today
Many of our customers are increasingly concerned about the impact of a possible second Covid-19 wave. Specifically relating to the supplies of essential PPE in care homes. To mitigate the issues arising from this, Medaco now offer a monthly supply solution.
