Renfrewshire Council

Getting the right personal protective equipment (PPE)

All managers and supervisors are responsible for making sure staff have the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) to carry out home visits safely. 

Managers must also provide appropriate PPE in any service or individuals care plans, to make sure the client's individual care needs and safety are addressed too. 

If you are a frontline member of staff who makes home visits, contact your line manager immediately if you don't feel you have the appropriate PPE to carry your work out safely. 

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What PPE you need if you work in health and social care

Check the information and guidance on COVID-19 for social, community and residential care settings from Health Protection Scotland. This has information on what PPE you need for each type of setting and how to source it.

There is also guidance on the correct order for donning, doffing and disposal of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for healthcare workers in a primary care setting.

Hand care and PPE gloves

Using hand gels, hand washing and drying can help keep coronavirus at bay.

You can find out about handwashing and using hand sanitiser to make your workplace COVID-secure on the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) website.

However, increased hand washing or use of hand sanitiser can lead to dermatitis or the risk of infection. 

If you already have a specific skin condition or use prescribed hand creams, this may make your skin condition worse. If this happens, get additional advice from your GP, dermatologist or local pharmacist.

You can also ask for specific guidance from our occupational health provider. Discuss this with your manager or Health and Safety Officer first.

You may need to wear suitable gloves as part of your personal protective equipment (PPE), assessment, to prevent a skin condition from getting worse.