COVID-19 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Guidance Note
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COVID-19 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Guidance Note
Note: This guidance supersedes all previous versions of this guidance, up to and including, CMT-A D-01 8-2020-
COVID-19 PPE Guidance Note version 1 .5, issued 29.09.20.
Ref: CMT-AD-18-2020 Date: 10th of March 2021
Version 1.6
Scope
This document is intended to direct staff on the correct use of PPE in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. It is
not intended to cover every situation or event, however the general principles contained within this guidance
should be considered in conjunction with the evolving national guidance issued by the Health Protection
Surveillance Centre (HPSC).
NB: Users of PPE should familiarise themselves on a regular basis with guidance in the link above.
When to Wear PPE
Tusla staff should wear PPE when there is a risk of contact with:
Body fluids
Secretions/excretions (with the exception of sweat)
Activity PPE Required
The workplace, e.g. offices, residential units, In accordance with CMT-AD-82-2020 guidance issued
where NO *SUSPECTED OR 14/10/20, staff to wear face coverings when transiting through
*CONFIRMED case of COVID-19 exists public areas of healthcare/ Tusla offices and facilities in work
settings. Steps for minimising the chance for exposure should
also be implemented, e.g. social distancing, good hand
hygiene, good cough/sneeze etiquette and not touching your
eyes, nose or mouth if your hands are not clean.
The workplace, e.g. offices, residential units, Case-specific, individual risk assessment is to be carried out by
where *SUSPECTED OR *CONFIRMED the employee and/or his/her line manager prior to selecting
case of COVID-19 exist and you are a distance appropriate PPE, together with the steps for minimising the
of 2 metre or less from the suspected chances for exposure. Types of PPE are set out in the table
/confirmed case of COVID-19 below.
In the community, e.g. home visits, Steps for minimising the chance for exposure should be
outings with service users where implemented, e.g. social distancing, good hand hygiene, good
NO cough/sneeze etiquette and not touching your eyes, nose or
*SUSPECTED OR *CONFIRMED case of mouth if your hands are not clean. PPE should be worn where
COVID-19 exists. 2 metre social distancing cannot be maintained
Travelling in a vehicle with Where possible, staff must avoid sharing a vehicle. Where
staff/service users (only to be vehicles must be shared, it should be limited to 2 staff, not
undertaken by those who do not sitting beside one another, sitting as far apart as possible,
have Covid 19 symptoms and are fit wear face coverings, and to clean/disinfect the frequently
to attend work). touched surfaces in the vehicle as a minimum at the start and
end of each shift/journey, staff to also disinfect hands before
and after each trip.
In the community, e.g. home visits, Case-specific, individual risk-assessment to be carried out by
outings with service users where the employee and/or his/her line manager prior to selecting
*SUSPECTED OR *CONFIRMED appropriate PPE, together with the steps for minimising
case of COVID-19, and if you are at a chances for exposure. Types of PPE are set out in the table
distance of 2 metres or less from the below.
suspected/confirmed case.
*As defined by the HPSC
Types of PPE
Minimum PPE used for controlling exposure to suspected or confirmed cases of COVID-19
Protection Suggested PPE
Respiratory protection Tightly Fitted Respirators FFP2 or FFP3 respirators (higher
risk work environments) - these masks provide a high level
of protection for the wearer,
e.g., home visits/access visits where there are suspected
or confirmed cases. If wearing an FFP2 or FFP3 mask,
staff must complete face fit testing, arranged by their
Line Manager with Fit Test Ltd (details below).
Facemasks and coverings only protect others from the
Tightly Fitted respirator Surgical mask wearer’s droplets (saliva/respiratory/nasal fluids). They
afford limited protection from contracting Coronavirus for the
wearer.
Protection Suggested PPE
Eye protection Goggles or suitable face shields provide protection to the eyes
where there is a risk of contact with bodily fluids, secretions or
excretions.
Body protection Gowns or aprons provide protection to the body /external
clothing where there is a risk of contact with bodily fluids,
secretions or excretions.
Hand protection Gloves and hand sanitizer provide protection to the hands where
there is a risk of contact with bodily fluids, secretions or
excretions.
Fit Testing
Tusla are required to ensure employees who are supplied with FFP2/FFP3 respirators are trained in their use and
correctly fitted for them. A specialist supplier has been identified who provides this service nationally to Tusla via
a procurement framework that has been drawn up with the HSE. This supplier’s details are as follows:
Fit Test
Unit W3E,
Toughers Business Park,
Naas, Co.Kildare, W91 W08C
www.fittest.ie
Office: +353 (0)45 438187
Visors/Face Shields
Visors/Face shields are plastic shields worn over the face that should extend from above the eyes to below the
chin and should wrap around from ear to ear. They are sometimes used when people find the use of masks or
cloth face coverings impractical. Comprehensive guidance on the use of visors has been prepared by the Health
Protection and Surveillance Centre (HPSC) and is located here: Use of Face Masks by the General Public- HPSC
In summary, face shields/visors offer less protection than face coverings against COVID 19 and they should only
be if an individual finds it difficult to wear a face covering. It is very important to note that visors do not provide
respiratory protection. Consequently, it is not recommended to wear visors as an alternative to wearing face
coverings or face masks by staff in the course of their work unless there is no other practical alternative.
Chemical Safety
For correct safe use of hand sanitizer, please refer to the manufacturer’s label. Further information is available
on the COVID-19 section of the Tusla Hub –COVID-19: Returning to the Workplace
PPE Training
Employees who use PPE must be trained in its use - see Appendix 1 for visual guide on the use of PPE
E-learning is available on hseland; search ‘putting on and taking off PPE in community settings’
For tightly fitted respirators, face-fit testing is recommended. Further guidance on the correct fitting of
respirators is available from your Regional Health and Safety Advisor or by emailing
healthandsafety@tusla.ie
Please note that PPE is only effective when it is worn properly.
Responsibilities
Line managers must ensure that:
A case-specific, individual risk assessment is to be carried out by the employee and/or his/her linemanager in relation to all instances of potential exposure to COVID-19 infection.
PPE is maintained in good condition.
Staff complete the hseland training.
Staff are instructed on the use of PPE and informed to follow manufacturer’s instructions.
Staff wearing tightly fitted respirators have a fit test completed by a competent person and monitor the
correct use of tightly fitted respirators by staff.
The manufacturer’s user instructions are displayed in the workplace.
Only PPE that is fit-for-purpose as supplied by Tusla/HSE is used. Further guidance is available from
your Regional Health and Safety Advisor or by emailing healthandsafety@tusla.ie
Where practicable, staff should be monitored to ensure they correctly apply, wear, remove and dispose of
used PPE.
Instruct staff on the applicable waste management protocol as outlined below.
Suitable waste disposal of contaminated PPE is arranged.
Staff who wear PPE must:
Complete a case-specific, individual risk assessment if necessary, with their line manager in relation
to all instances of potential exposure to COVID-19 infection
Complete the hseland training on ‘putting on and taking off PPE in community settings’
Must pass a face fit test to wear tightly fitted respirators. Further guidance on the correct fitting of
respirators is available from your Regional Health and Safety Advisor or by emailing
healthandsafety@tusla.ie
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions on correct use of PPE
Dispose of it correctly into waste bags (refer to diagram below)
Clean and store any reusable equipment as necessary, e.g. goggles/glasses
Replace any soiled PPE as required, e.g. masks
Failure to Wear PPE
Failure to wear PPE when required, or correctly, may result in symptoms associated with
contracting COVID-19 illness.
How to Order PPE
COVID-19 PPE is supplied to Tusla by the HSE. Tusla have supplied the HSE with regional and national
points of contact who are authorized to order directly from the HSE. Line Managers who require PPE for
their staff and who are unaware of who their point of contact is, should email healthandsafety@tusla.ie
for information on how to progress the order.
Managing PPE Waste
In accordance with HPSC guidance, PPE waste must be disposed as follows:Further Controls and Guidance Establish frequent hand hygiene and respiratory hygiene etiquette Always wash hands before and after using PPE, and after handling waste
Appendix 1: Illustration on correct wearing of PPE
Putting on PPE Removing PPE
1. Decontaminate 1. Remove gloves (avoid 6. Discard all PPE
hands touching the outside of (double bagged
the gloves) mask, gloves,
apron/gown,
goggles)
2. Put on disposable 2. Decontaminate hands 7. Decontaminate
apron/gown your hands
3. Put on mask or 3. Remove goggles, if worn
respirator
4. Put on gogglesif 4. Remove gown/apron
required (avoid touching the front
of the gown/apron). Roll
the apron downwards
from your chest so the
contaminated outer
surface is folded inwards
5. Put on gloves 5. Remove mask by breaking
the ties. If the ties are
elastic, grasp and lift ties
from behind your head and
pull mask away from your
face. Avoid touching the
front of the mask and use
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