PPE and coronavirus (COVID-19)
There are few workplaces outside of health and social care that will require extra PPE to protect against COVID-19 but it is important to remember that work tasks that required PPE before COVID-19, will still require that same level of use and protection for workers.
Your risk assessments should reflect this and include any extra protection required to protect workers from the risk of transmission of COVID-19.
Guidance on use of PPE in health and social care and in workplaces and community settings can be found on the Public Health Scotland website (external website).
Face coverings
Face coverings are not PPE as they do not protect the wearer. They are intended to protect others. Further information can be found on the Scottish Government's Coronavirus (COVID-19): general guidance for safer workplaces (external website).
Preventing the spread of infection
Coronavirus will live for some time on surfaces, including on PPE, so you need to be aware of how to use and dispose of it correctly.
You can use these resources to remind employees how to
- put on and take off PPE correctly (for non aerosol generating procedures) posters and videos from GOV.UK (external site)
- use disposable respirators correctly video and poster from the Health and Safety Executive (external site).
Handwashing
Good hand hygiene is essential to help stop the spread of COVID-19. Watch this video on how to wash your hands (external site).