Motion 47
Changes to PPE Cannot Wait for the Conclusion of the COVID Inquiry
“That this Congress wants to commend the STUC for the work it has done in supporting unions to put evidence to the Covid Inquiry.
“While there are many areas that will require more in depth understanding there are also areas that cannot be delayed for the conclusion of the Inquiry.
“Within health, which is still a predominantly female workforce, one issue was highlighted frequently and early and that was with the fit of PPE (personal protective equipment).
“Unions need to work collectively to ensure that providers of PPE stop using Caucasian male as the default that they design around especially when it is not the default in the services they provide to.
“We need to hold the Scottish Government and NHS employers to account for how they spend their money and ensure they are demanding that the equipment is fit for purpose.
“Congress calls on the General Council to work with health trade unions to develop clear arguments that set out the failings and remind employers of their obligations under health and safety legislation. We need to make more use of FOI’s to find out if employees are disaggregating their data on fit tests and making a clear and simple way for staff to express concerns about the fit and the effectiveness of PPE.
“Those who are paying for the PPE must ensure that lessons have been learned from Covid and that those who make PPE deliver for the actual demographic of the staff not for the default white man.”
Mover: Chartered Society of Physiotherapy
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