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Source: CFNU, October 2020
As cases of COVID-19 ramp up across Canada and around the globe, it is more important than ever that nurses and other health care workers adhere to safety protocols, especially their use of personal protective equipment. Recent reports indicate that as the international demand for PPE grows, employers continue to safeguard supplies, potentially putting workers and patients in further jeopardy.
A recent report from Quebec indicated that nearly 25% of infections were health care workers. In Nova Scotia, we have a low rate of the disease but a greater risk of complacency. We cannot let our guard down.
NSNU’s long term care survey from this past summer clearly highlighted a fear amongst nurses in that sector when it comes to access to PPE and other requirements.
As consensus grows that COVID-19 is airborne, some employers across Canada are still refusing to provide health workers the personal protective equipment they need to prevent infection, in violation of provincial deals. This is according to reports received by the Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions from unions in most provinces.
“I am shocked to hear reports from across the country that health employers are still refusing workers’ requests for the equipment they need to stay safe,” said Linda Silas, president of the CFNU. “This is a violation of provincial PPE agreements and is inexcusable as more and more people accept that COVID 19 is airborne.”
Several provincial governments have signed agreements with their respective health care unions, enshrining workers’ rights to be provided with the minimum level of protection they request, based on their own assessment of the risk they face when caring for a patient. Currently all provinces, except for Nova Scotia and Quebec, have such agreements.
“Employers have no right to violate provincial PPE agreements and risk the lives of health care workers. Provincial governments need to rapidly enforce agreements when workers report employers are violating their rights,” said Silas.
Health care unions in most provinces have received reports from frontline members citing a range of issues accessing PPE, especially fit-tested N95 respirators, to prevent airborne infection. These issues include: absence or limited PPE supply; lack of training and proper respirator fitting (rendering them less effective); coercion to not use certain PPE; and employers’ outright refusing to provide PPE requested by workers. The most common concern employers have cited to unions is supply.
“We know supply remains a concern, but it is indefensible for employers to risk the lives of frontline workers by rationing PPE. We need to work together to ensure the availability of N95s and offer higher levels of approved protection,” said Silas.
Earlier this fall, the CFNU released a report, A Time of Fear, revealing Canada’s systemic failure to protect health workers from COVID-19. Health workers make up about 20 per cent of Canada’s infections and 24 per cent of Quebec’s.
“Nurses and health care workers have been asking for 10 months now simply to have the basic PPE we need to stay safe. We are sick and tired of excuses. Being a health care worker during a pandemic should not be a death sentence,” concluded Silas.
PPE Preparedness
- Employers have a legislated responsibility to protect the health and safety of health care workers, and should be prepared to provide appropriate PPE, including fit-tested N95 respirators.
- Nurses have a responsibility to use PPE appropriately, ensuring that those caring for patients, residents and clients have access to the level of PPE they require. Protecting all nurses protects those in their care.
- Based on professional and clinical judgement, nurses conduct point of care risk assessments to determine the appropriate level of PPE required when providing care. Employers must respect this clinical judgement.
- If your employer disregards your assessment, or you feel your workplace is unprepared, reach out to your NSNU labour relations representative for consultation and assistance.
