COVID-19 Health and Safety Guide - Unclassified - Version 2.0: Effective 31.03.2020 - Oranga Tamariki
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Unclassified COVID-19 Health and Safety Guide Version 2.0: Effective 31.03.2020 Replaces Guidance on Workplace Infection Control and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Health and Safety Guide.
Unclassified
Contents
General Information: Controlling Health and Safety Risks ..................................... 4
COVID -19 Workplace Exposure Context ............................................................ 4
Eliminating Infection Exposure through Remote Working...................................... 5
Minimising Infection Risks ............................................................................... 5
Screening ........................................................................................................................................ 5
Distancing ....................................................................................................................................... 5
Safe travelling................................................................................................................................. 6
Workplace and Personal Hygiene ................................................................................................. 6
Use of Personal Protective Equipment ........................................................................................ 7
Supply, issue, use and disposal of Personal Protective Equipment ......................... 7
How will PPE be supplied? ............................................................................................................ 7
What PPE will I be issued? ............................................................................................................ 8
How will I be issued with PPE? ..................................................................................................... 8
CAT 1 PPE Pack ............................................................................................................................... 8
CAT 2 PPE Pack ............................................................................................................................... 9
CAT 3.................................................................................................................................................. 9
How Do I Know What PPE to Wear? .............................................................................................. 9
When transporting tamariki/rangatahi who are confirmed as or suspected of having the
COVID-19 infection .......................................................................................................................... 9
When travelling to work, shops or while exercising outside .................................................... 9
PPE requirements for maintenance and supplier contractors ................................................ 10
Security of PPE ............................................................................................................................. 10
Further information on PPE ......................................................................................................... 10
Facemasks .................................................................................................................................... 10
Apron (disposable) ....................................................................................................................... 11
Gloves (disposable)...................................................................................................................... 11
Goggles ......................................................................................................................................... 11
Hand sanitiser............................................................................................................................... 11
Minimising exposure risk for children ....................................................................................... 11
Minimising the risk for adults with health conditions .............................................................. 12
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COVID-19 Health and Safety Guide 31 March 2020Unclassified
Disposal of used PPE ................................................................................................................... 12
APPENDIX 1 - GUIDANCE FOR USE OF FACEMASKS ............................................................... 13
APPENDIX 2 - GUIDANCE FOR USE OF GLOVES ....................................................................... 13
For more information .................................................................................... 14
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COVID-19 Health and Safety Guide 31 March 2020Unclassified
General Information: Controlling Health and Safety Risks
When thinking about how we are controlling workplace health risks, we are required to
implement measures based on the hierarchy of control.
Reference: Worksafe.govt.nz
The variety and nature of Oranga Tamariki work environments dictates that we are unable to
apply universal controls, so we typically need to look at how we may apply the highest-level
control to any given environment and/or situation.
COVID -19 Workplace Exposure Context
The current COVID-19 pandemic has introduced an additional work-related health risk
to our workers and tamariki/rangatahi.
This requires us to, in general, to assess, manage and monitor this risk by:
– Understanding how the virus is transmitted and the people who are at risk of infection.
– Reviewing and considering the current controls that may be in place.
– Identifying additional controls that could be implemented to effectively reduce the
risk of exposure.
– Monitoring and taking into consideration advice and recommendations from
Government and Workplace Health sources.
Specifically, in response to COVID-19, the Ministry of Health have advised that all New
Zealand businesses should:
– Minimise, or eliminate if possible, physical interactions among staff and with and
between customers.
– Ensure appropriate health, hygiene and safety measures are in place.
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COVID-19 Health and Safety Guide 31 March 2020Unclassified
– Restrict activity to only what is essential during the Alert Level 4 period.
For example, for some support and office-based functions we may eliminate the risk of
workplace COVID-19 exposure through remote working practices e.g. Working from home.
In residences and other locations where we require a physical presence, we may be able to
introduce engineering and administrative controls, such as separated work areas, post
meeting room disinfection, signage that outlines requirements for social distancing, or use
of personal protective equipment to will reduce the risk of exposure.
In common with other hazards, if possible, we could provide Personal Protective Equipment
(PPE) to our workers as an additional control, should others fail to be in place / function or
be impracticable to implement.
The purpose of this guide is to provide information about possible elimination and isolation
controls that may be introduced to protect our workers and tamariki/rangatahi from the risk
of COVID-19 infection. Specific advice and help to develop and implement controls within
Oranga Tamariki workplaces is available through the Health, Safety and Security team.
Eliminating Infection Exposure through Remote Working
This is applicable to some support functions and office-based roles and allows people to
prevent exposure to infection risks in the workplace. Oranga Tamariki have developed a
“Working from Home” resource that allows managers and workers to understand what it
involves, what risks there are and how best to make it work effectively.
As well as allowing people to reduce exposure risks, having people working from home
frees up space in offices and operational environments to allow for other controls, such as
social distancing to be implemented.
Information about Working from Home is available via Te Pae
Minimising Infection Risks
Screening
Screening is a method to be used to identify potential exposure risk through planned
interactions with a confirmed or suspected COVID-19 infected person.
The COVID -19 Screening tool has been designed to enable identification of confirmed
/suspected cases in tamariki/rangatahi and other people we plan to interact with. It is to be
used as part of planning work when weighing up the risk of delivering critical services whilst
keeping staff exposure to COVID-19 at a minimum.
The COVID-19 Screening tool is available on Te Pae and is linked in the Working in a
Pandemic Environment Guideline.
Distancing
Distancing refers to practices and behaviours that allow people to maintain a two (2) metre
distance when working or socialising. It is a recognised way of significantly reducing the risk
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COVID-19 Health and Safety Guide 31 March 2020Unclassified
of exposure to the virus, which is spread by airborne droplets, usually emitted by coughing,
sneezing and from surface contamination.
Examples of distancing practices that may be possible to use include:
– Sitting in offices at alternate desks, or moving desks further apart
– Stagger working hours where feasible to reduce possible congregation of employees
at common spaces such as entrances/exits, lifts, and allow employees to commute
to and from work at off-peak hours. Timings of lunch and other breaks could be
staggered.
– Changing from face to face meetings to Skype / Phone meeting
– Not having large team meetings or planning sessions, seek to use other tools,
such as collaborative documents to develop and share project work
– Making it ok to not shake hands – get on board with the Kahungunu Wave or
East Coast Wave
Safe travelling
When travelling to work by public transport, follow MoH and Alert Level 4 requirements to
keep distance and practice good hygiene (hand washing / sanitiser etc)
When returning home from work (or shopping / exercise) practice “Getting back to your
bubble” and protecting it from potential infection, i.e. hand washing / hygiene as soon as
you return home.
Workplace and Personal Hygiene
The virus can also be transmitted through contact with infected surfaces. Good
workplace and personal hygiene practices are a key part of helping prevent the spread of
viruses.
It is vital to ensure that shared workspaces, such as frequent cleaning of workplaces
especially including that hot desks and vehicles are kept clean and sanitised. Workplace
facilities, including bathrooms and kitchen areas must be cleaned and wiped down when
used. Used cups and utensils need to be put in dishwashers or washed straight after use.
Antibacterial wipes can assist to lift dirt and contain a good level of moisture to ensure the
surface is saturated in formulation to provide an effective antibacterial effect. They are ideal
for ‘high-touch’ surfaces which include desks, counters, door handles, car doors, steering
wheel, bathroom fixtures, toilets, phones and keyboards etc. Once you have completed the
task with the wipe you can dispose of it in normal general waste. Then wash your hands
thoroughly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, making sure you dry them thoroughly.
We all have a responsibility to follow Ministry of Health guidelines for personal hygiene
practice that can help protect against infection. This include regularly washing hands, not
touching your face and ensuring you always sneeze or cough into a tissue or covering your
mouth with your elbow.
Tips and tools to help promote and ensure good workplace hygiene are available on Te Pae.
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Use of Personal Protective Equipment
The right personal protective equipment (PPE), used in the right circumstances can be an
effective, additional way of controlling infection risks.
PPE you should acquire, how it should be stored, how to correctly wear it and how to
dispose of it is discussed below.
Supply, issue, use and disposal of Personal Protective
Equipment
Ministry of Health guidance current at 30th March 2020 suggests Oranga Tamariki workers
fall into three categories for the purposes of using PPE.
CAT 1 Our Operational Workers deemed as Essential Services Health Workers
These include; workers in residences, care and protection workers, caregivers
and other workers where the situation may put them at direct risk of COVID-19
infection i.e. during home visits or transporting tamariki/rangatahi.
This MoH PPE guideline applies:
https://www.health.govt.nz/system/files/documents/pages/hp7353_-
_ppe_ipc_poster_community_care_providers_v3-28mar20_0.pdf
CAT 2 Our Workers deemed as Essential Services Non- Health Workers who cannot
work 100% of role at home
These would include care and protection workers or response teams, who
may be able to undertake part of their role remotely but would be required
to leave home to deliver some part of their role, i.e. attend an emergency
response.
This MoH PPE guideline applies:
https://www.health.govt.nz/system/files/documents/pages/hp7353-ppe-ipc-
poster-nonessential-final-28mar2020-v2_0.pdf
CAT 3 All our other workers (deemed as Essential Services Non- Health Workers)
who can work 100% of role at home
These would include support functions, such as human resources and
finance.
How will PPE be supplied?
Oranga Tamariki have established arrangements for delivery to sites/residences through
several suppliers. Supplies from external providers of PPE will be delivered directly to sites via
courier services. Where sites are sharing / donating PPE supplies to others, PPE may be
delivered by Oranga Tamariki staff.
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Sites should maintain an inventory that allows for supply to staff and (where appropriate, to
tamariki/rangatahi) in line with supply levels outlined below.
Staff should retain their supply of PPE and when needed request re-supply from the site
inventory.
Version Note: April 1st
The distribution of PPE to sites from external suppliers has commenced from 31/3. The
distribution will continue over the coming 2 weeks as sites are provided with supplies and
inventory levels are built. During this time, it may be necessary for sites to obtain PPE from local
suppliers. Oranga Tamariki has established account facilities with PlaceMakers stores to allow
sites to access / order 3M PPE supplies through PlaceMakers.
Additionally, regions may have the ability to shift stock from one site to another. If you require
PPE and do not have any, please first contact your regional office to see if PPE supplies can be
shifted from another site.
Oranga Tamariki are actively engaged with MoH and MBIE in the allocation and distribution of
PPE from national pandemic supplies.
If you have been unable to obtain what you require and your need is urgent, email
emergency.management@ot.govt.nz.
What PPE will I be issued?
Always remember that PPE is only one of a number of controls in place to prevent infection.
We will also need to operate using best practice social distancing and hygiene practices to
minimise the risk of infection transmission, wherever possible.
Note: you may not need to use all PPE issued to you. What PPE you wear on any given day or
for any given task could differ depending on the risk.
Facemask Disposable Disposable Goggles Hand
apron gloves sanitiser
CAT 1 10 10 100 pairs 2 pairs 1L
CAT 2 10 10 100 pairs 2 pairs 1L
CAT 3 Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil
How will I be issued with PPE?
CAT 1 PPE Pack
All CAT 1 staff will be issued with a personal PPE kit, comprising of
– 10 x facemasks
– 10 x disposable aprons
– 100 x pairs disposable gloves
– 2 x pairs of goggles
– 1L x supply hand sanitiser
Re-supply of personal supply will be provided by the site / residence manager. Supply to sites
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COVID-19 Health and Safety Guide 31 March 2020Unclassified
and residences will be coordinated centrally through the health and safety team and
emergency management team. When you have used PPE and it has been disposed of, request
re-supply from your site manager, as soon as is practicable after the task is finished.
CAT 2 PPE Pack
All CAT 2 staff will be issued with a personal PPE kit, comprising of:
– 10 x facemasks
– 10 x disposable aprons
– 100 x pairs disposable gloves
– 2 x pairs of goggles
– 1L x supply hand sanitiser
Re-supply of personal supply will be provided by the site / residence manager. Supply to sites
and residences will be coordinated centrally through the health and safety team and
emergency management team. When you have used PPE and it has been disposed of, request
re-supply from your site manager, as soon as is practicable after the task is finished.
CAT 3
These staff will not be provided a standard issue personal supply. If there are instances where
they are required to attend an Oranga Tamariki workplace at short notice, they will be required
to contact the site manager prior to leaving home to ensure that that are aware of any
operational control practices and / or PPE requirements in place.
How Do I Know What PPE to Wear?
When working with someone that is
confirmed as or suspected of having the • N95/P2 facemasks, for both yourself
COVID-19 infection and other people, including
tamariki/rangatahi
• Goggles or other, operationally
relevant eye protection
• Disposable apron and gloves
When transporting tamariki/rangatahi who As above for driver, a carer.
are confirmed as or suspected of having the
COVID-19 infection Tamariki/rangatahi to wear mask and gloves
where possible
When travelling to work, shops or while There is no requirement to wear PPE when
exercising outside travelling or exercising.
In all instances, follow current MoH guidelines for minimising infection risks, practice
distancing (2 metre), wash your hands / use sanitiser to reduce risks from high frequency
touch points, such as Eftpos machines, handles and public transport. Avoid touching your face.
If you do not have sanitiser and there are limited hand washing facilities, you may choose to
use disposable gloves during your journey.
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PPE requirements for maintenance and supplier contractors
Many of our maintenance and supplier contractors are deemed as Essential Services Non-
Health Workers who cannot work 100% of their role at home.
These would include contractors who are needed to repair facilities or supply our sites with
goods. We have developed guidelines for our people to use when they engage contractors,
these include ensuring that they are aware of, and able to meet, any site-specific infection
control procedures and PPE requirements in place.
Engaging contractor guidelines specific for the COVID-19 operating environment are available
in the Covid-19 section of Te Pae.
Version Note: 1 April
These guidelines will be uploaded to Te Pae April 2nd
Security of PPE
Due to the critical nature of PPE in protecting our workers it is vital for us to secure and protect
supplies.
• All PPE is to be secured on site in a suitable lockable space/cabinet, and the key held
by the site manager, or a single person that has been delegated the responsibility.
• The site manager, or a single person that has been delegated the responsibility, will
keep a log of all incoming new supplies of PPE, and all outgoing distribution of stock to
staff.
Further information on PPE
Facemasks
Whilst there is still debate as to the protection against viral infection offered by wearing face
masks, the MoH is recommending they are now utilised as a matter of standard practice in
environments where community spread of COVID-19 could occur – i.e. outside of your
‘bubble’. Whilst they offer a much higher level of protection than a simple surgical mask it
should be noted that a particulate face mask (P2/N95) will not filter out a virus. However, it
will most likely prevent the inhalation of the larger aerosols which carry the virus.
If the child or other person you are interacting with is either confirmed or suspected
as having COVID-19, you should wear a P2/N95 mask for the duration of your
interaction and ensure they do the same.
If you wear a face mask, when you remove the mask:
– avoid touching the front of the mask
– if the mask has ties, untie the bottom, then top tie and remove from face
– discard the mask, don’t use it again.
– wash hands with soap and water and dry hands thoroughly or use hand sanitiser
immediately after removing the mask.
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In conjunction with a facemask, an apron, gloves, and a pair of goggles should be worn by
front line workers to prevent themselves coming into contact with infected droplets from a
potentially known COVID-19 infected person.
An instructional video on use of these types of PPE can be found here:
https://vimeo.com/396772975 or refer to the appendices for more information.
Apron (disposable)
Plastic Disposable aprons are provided to reduce risk of contamination to clothes.
Gloves (disposable)
Disposable vinyl or latex gloves are provided to protect against infection risks from high
contact environments.
Goggles
Goggles or safety glasses are used to control the risk of infection through the eye
membrane. There may be operational limitations to the use of goggles, for example for
personal security.
Hand sanitiser
Hand sanitiser (which should contain at least 60 percent alcohol) is utilised only if soap and
water are not available and if your hands are not visibly dirty.
When using hand sanitiser, please remember to cover all surfaces of your hands (top and
bottom of your hands and between fingers) and rub them together until they feel dry – no
not remove excess liquid. Let them air dry.
MoH approved Hand sanitiser poster: https://www.hqsc.govt.nz/assets/Infection-
Prevention/Hand-Hygiene/PR/HowToHandRub.FA.web.pdf and video:
https://vimeo.com/398694946
Minimising exposure risk for children
– Generally, young children should not wear a face mask as it may be a choke
hazard and therefore care needs to be taken.
– The same risk controls apply to children as to adults in the current outbreak
situation. Children who are too young or too small to wear a mask or who have a
condition which prevents their use should avoid high exposure risk situations. This
means avoidance of close contact with people who may be unwell and large
gatherings of people.
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Minimising the risk for adults with health conditions
If a medical practitioner deems a staff member or partner to be unsuitable for the use of a
face mask or PPE, or if you are at a higher risk due to a medical condition, the same risk
controls apply as for children in the section above.
Disposal of used PPE
Disposal of used PPE, such as face masks and gloves should be done in a way that does
not allow re-use of PPE by other workers, or contamination of existing PPE stocks.
Used masks can be disposed of in normal general waste, or if there are biological wastes
disposal facilities available, they should be used.
Remember after removing your PPE items such as mask and /or gloves then please wash
your hands.
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APPENDIX 1 - GUIDANCE FOR USE OF FACEMASKS
It is important that face masks are worn and removed correctly. Masks should fit snuggly
and fully cover your nose and mouth.
Fitting a face mask
For instructions on sizing and how to fit a face mask properly please see this link:
Fitting a P2 face mask
How to wear a mask:
1. Place over nose, mouth and chin.
2. Fit flexible nose piece over nose bridge.
3. Secure on head with ties or elastic.
4. Adjust to fit – secure on your head, fitting snuggly around your face with no gaps.
5. Avoid touching or adjusting your mask during use.
How to remove a mask:
1. Avoid touching the front of the mask.
2. If the mask has ties, untie the bottom, then top tie.
3. Remove from face.
4. Discard and do not use again.
5. Wash hands with soap and water or use hand sanitiser immediately.
APPENDIX 2 - GUIDANCE FOR USE OF GLOVES
Gloves are a single use item and therefore are required to be changed after each use or upon
completion of the task. Please be aware some people may be allergic to latex if so, they should
discontinue use and seek medical advice if they have a reaction.
They are often used when the risk of contact with blood, other body fluids, mucous
membranes, non-intact skin or potential infectious materials may occur.
NB: Gloves should be changed if a perforation or puncture is suspected or identified,
and/or have been in contact with a chemical which may degrade the material.
Putting on gloves
1. Wash your hands first and dry completely
2. The gloves package should be placed in a clean, dry and flat surface
3. The package should be opened to provide easily access to the gloves
4. Remove the first glove and point the fingers away from your body
5. The dominant hand should be gloved first. The glove should be picked up by the
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inside edge of the cuff using the thumb and index finger of the non-dominant hand.
6. The fingers of the dominant hand should be slowly inserted into the glove, which
should be then pulled to the wrist.
7. Now using the gloved dominant hand, insert the fingers underneath the outside
folded edge of the glove for the non-dominant hand. Fingers of the non-dominant
hand should be slowly inserted, and the glove pulled to the wrist.
8. Now you can adjust the gloves to ensure comfortable and fitting correctly. Be
careful to ensure they remain sterile.
Removing gloves
1. Un-glove the dominant hand first. Use the index finger and thumb of the non-
dominant hand, grip and lift the outside edge of the glove cuff of the dominant
hand – take care not to touch the skin if possible.
2. Insert your middle finger under the edge of the glove and invert it (turn it inside out)
as it is slowly peeled off using the gloved non-dominant hand.
3. When peeling off the glove remember to keep in turned inside out so that it over the
glove and not touching your skin.
4. Please the glove in the bin.
5. Repeat for the non-dominant hand.
6. Dispose of the gloves in normal general waste, or if there are biological wastes
disposal facilities available, they should be used
7. Please ensure that you wash your hands and dry completely.
For more information
– Contact the Emergency Management team at emergency.management@ot.govt.nz
or the Health, Safety and Security team at safetyandsecurity@ot.govt.nz.
– Check the Coronavirus (COVID-19) – what you need to know page on Te Pae for up-to-
date information on our current approach.
– Visit the Ministry of Health website for the latest information.
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