Regarding COVID-19, different PPE guidelines apply for HHSs / LGAs identified as 'low', ‘moderate’ or ‘high’ risk for pandemic transmission. Please check for the latest PPE and infection control information on the Queensland Health website here, as this is being regularly updated.
Under the Work Health and Safety Act, employers have a responsibility to provide nurses and midwives with appropriate PPE in order to minimise exposure to infection. When providing PPE the employer must ensure the PPE is:
In addition to providing the PPE, employers are required to provide information, training and instruction on how to appropriately use the PPE. This information must be readily accessible to employees. Click here to view infection prevention and control guidance (including PPE advice). Click here to view a poster of correct PPE donning and doffing technique.
If you work in Queensland Health in an area where you have direct contact to a COVID-19 positive patient (or are likely to have contact with a COVID-19 positive patient or a symptomatic respiratory client), you must be fit tested and fit checked. More information about fit testing can be found here. Hospital and Health Service Chief Executives must ensure relevant employees (including nurses and midwives in the above categories) comply with mask wearing requirements and:
Relevant employees working at a quarantine facility must wear a PFR or P2/N95 respirator in designated zones and perform fit checking before each shift. Following concerns that health staff were not being fit tested appropriately or consistently across all HHSs, the QNMU filed a dispute against Queensland Health in the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission. The dispute resulted in the above requirement, which aims to provide health staff with maximum protection against COVID-19. For those working in the private sector or aged care, please speak with your line manager regarding the fit testing and fit checking processes for your organisation. If your concerns cannot be resolved to your satisfaction via these channels, contact the QNMU via Member Connect on 3099 3210 or 1800 177 273 (toll free outside Brisbane) or email [email protected]
The QNMU has produced printable posters outlining the correct escalation process for QNMU members to follow if they cannot access the correct PPE.
As nurses and midwives, your safety is of paramount importance. It is the QNMU’s position that if you are not provided with the correct PPE and you are asked to do something that puts your own safety at risk, then you should:
QNMU members are also reminded that if you are not being provided with the correct PPE and your safety is being compromised, then you have a right to withdraw your service.
Any nurse or midwife who identifies as having a higher risk associated with COVID-19 according to their medical advice, and who works in an environment where they are likely to have contact with people who possibly have or do have COVID-19, should talk to their line manager about alternative working arrangements. If your concerns cannot be resolved to your satisfaction via these channels, contact the QNMU via Member Connect on 3099 3210 or 1800 177 273 (toll free outside Brisbane) or email [email protected] For more information, please refer to our working arrangements FAQ page, which provides in-depth information for vulnerable employees.