{{org_field_logo}}

{{org_field_name}}

Registration Number: {{org_field_registration_no}}

---

Use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Policy

1. Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to ensure that {{org_field_name}} provides a safe, hygienic, and compliant working environment for all staff and the people we support through the appropriate use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). PPE is a crucial component of infection prevention and control, helping to protect individuals from the transmission of infectious agents. This policy aligns with the Health and Social Care Standards, National Infection Prevention and Control Manual (NIPCM), and Care Inspectorate Scotland regulations.

{{org_field_name}} is committed to:

• Protecting the health and safety of people we support, staff, and visitors.
• Ensuring compliance with all relevant legislation and best practices related to infection prevention.
• Providing adequate training and guidance on the correct selection, use, and disposal of PPE.
• Ensuring PPE is readily available, properly stored, and regularly restocked.
• Monitoring adherence to PPE protocols and addressing any non-compliance.

2. Scope

This policy applies to all individuals within {{org_field_name}}, including:

• Care staff who provide direct support to individuals in their homes.
• Office-based staff who may handle infectious materials or interact with care workers.
• Management and supervisors responsible for implementing and overseeing PPE usage.
• Visitors, contractors, and external professionals entering service users’ homes who must adhere to PPE requirements.

3. Legal and Regulatory Framework

This policy supports compliance with all applicable legislation, regulation, statutory guidance and good practice, including (but not limited to):

• Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 – general duties to protect employees and others affected by our activities.
• Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 – requirement to undertake suitable and sufficient risk assessment and implement preventive/protective measures.
• Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 2002 – assessment and control of exposure to biological agents and other hazardous substances.
• Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992, as amended by the Personal Protective Equipment at Work (Amendment) Regulations 2022 (in force 6 April 2022) – duty to provide suitable PPE to employees and “workers” (including those with more casual working arrangements) where risks cannot be adequately controlled by other means.
• Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR) 2013 – reporting relevant work-related incidents where applicable.
• Social Care and Social Work Improvement Scotland (Requirements for Care Services) Regulations 2011 (SSI 2011/210) – requirements relevant to safe, planned care and staffing/training in registered care services.
• Health and Social Care Standards (from 1 April 2018) – expectations for safe, compassionate, person-centred care.
• National Infection Prevention and Control Manual (NIPCM) and any Scotland-specific care setting addenda/current IPC guidance.
• Care Inspectorate: quality framework expectations for support services (care at home) and current provider guidance on records/notifications relevant to infection prevention and incidents.

4. PPE Provision and Management

PPE Provided by {{org_field_name}}

To ensure the safety of staff and people we support, the following PPE is made available as required:

• Disposable gloves – used for personal care, cleaning, and handling bodily fluids.
• Disposable aprons – worn during tasks where clothing contamination is possible.
• Face masks – Type IIR fluid-resistant surgical masks provided for infection control.
• Eye protection (goggles or visors) – used when there is a risk of splashing from bodily fluids.
• Hand sanitiser and disinfectant wipes – for supplementary hand hygiene and surface disinfection.
• Respiratory protective equipment (RPE) – such as FFP3 masks for high-risk scenarios involving aerosol-generating procedures (AGPs).

Storage and Accessibility

• PPE must be stored in designated clean areas, away from contamination sources.
• Staff must have immediate access to PPE at all times when providing care.
• Emergency PPE supplies will be kept for unforeseen shortages or infection outbreaks.
• PPE must be checked daily for availability, cleanliness, and expiration.
• Staff will have continuous access to PPE appropriate to their role, including through office collection, on-call arrangements and/or agreed stock held securely by staff for scheduled and unscheduled care, to prevent missed visits or unsafe practice due to supply issues.

PPE Supply Chain and Monitoring

• A PPE inventory log will be maintained to track stock levels.
• Regular audits will be conducted to prevent shortages or expired stock.
• Expired or damaged PPE must be disposed of appropriately and replaced immediately.
• PPE orders will be placed in advance to avoid supply disruptions.
• The Registered manager is responsible for ordering PPE

PPE/RPE must be suitable, available and provided at no cost

{{org_field_name}} will provide suitable PPE (including RPE where required) at no charge to staff and a it is required. PPE/RPE must be:

• appropriate for the task, the person’s needs and the care environment;
• available in the correct sizes;
• compatible when worn together (e.g., mask/visor combination);
• maintained and replaced in line with manufacturer guidance; and
• recorded through stock control/audit processes to evidence availability and safe use.

5. Risk assessment-led selection of PPE (NIPCM aligned)

PPE must be selected and used based on risk assessment and current Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) guidance. Staff must follow the National Infection Prevention and Control Manual (NIPCM) principles of:

• Standard Infection Control Precautions (SICPs) for all care activities; and
• Transmission Based Precautions (TBPs) when infection risk is suspected or confirmed (for example respiratory, contact, droplet or airborne precautions as advised).

The responsible person/line manager must ensure that risk assessments consider, as a minimum: the care task being undertaken, likelihood of exposure to blood/body fluids, presence of respiratory symptoms, ventilation, proximity and duration of contact, and any additional clinical advice.

Where TBPs indicate airborne precautions, or where a task is assessed as higher risk for aerosol exposure, Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE) (for example FFP3) and appropriate eye/face protection must be used in line with current national guidance.

6. Correct Use of PPE

When to Wear PPE

PPE must be worn in situations that pose a risk of exposure to infection. Specific PPE use includes:

• Gloves: Required when providing personal care, handling waste, or performing cleaning tasks.
• Aprons: Worn when performing tasks that may result in contamination of clothing.
• Face Masks: Used in close contact care situations and during infectious disease outbreaks.
• Eye Protection: Necessary when splashes of bodily fluids are anticipated.
• FFP3 Masks and Respiratory Protection: Worn when dealing with airborne infections or performing AGPs.

Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE) – FFP3 requirements

Where FFP3 (or other tight-fitting RPE) is required, {{org_field_name}} will ensure that:

• staff are face-fit tested for the specific make/model/size issued before first use, and re-tested where changes may affect fit (for example significant weight change, facial surgery, dental/facial changes);
• staff complete a fit check (seal check) every time a tight-fitting respirator is worn;
• staff understand that facial hair that interferes with the seal will prevent safe use of tight-fitting RPE;
• suitable alternatives are considered where a tight fit cannot be achieved (for example powered/hood or loose-fitting RPE), subject to risk assessment and availability; and
• training covers donning/doffing, safe disposal, storage, and the limitations of RPE.

How to Put On PPE Correctly

1. Perform hand hygiene by washing hands or using sanitiser.
2. Put on apron, ensuring full body coverage.
3. Secure face mask over the nose and mouth.
4. Put on eye protection (if required).
5. Wear gloves, ensuring they fully cover the wrists.

How to Remove PPE Safely

1. Remove gloves first, avoiding contact with contaminated surfaces.
2. Remove apron by rolling it inward to trap contaminants.
3. Remove eye protection, handling only the headband or arms.
4. Remove face mask, avoiding contact with the front surface.
5. Perform hand hygiene immediately after PPE removal.

7. Training and Competency in PPE Use

{{org_field_name}} ensures that all staff:

• Receive comprehensive PPE training during induction and annual Infection Control courses.
• Are competency assessed on PPE donning and doffing techniques.
• Stay informed about updated infection prevention guidance from regulatory bodies.
• Have access to supervision and support to address PPE-related concerns.

8. Infection Prevention and Control Measures

To reinforce PPE usage, staff must also adhere to additional infection prevention and control measures, including:

• Strict hand hygiene practices before and after PPE use.
• Regular cleaning and disinfection of frequently touched surfaces.
• Ensuring proper ventilation when providing care in enclosed spaces.
• Reporting PPE breaches or contamination incidents immediately.

9. Safe Disposal of PPE

Used PPE must be disposed of immediately after use in a way that prevents contamination of the person’s home and reduces infection risk.

• Routine PPE waste (for example gloves/aprons/masks used for standard personal care where no additional infection risk is identified) must be double-bagged, tied securely and disposed of in line with local arrangements and current IPC guidance.
• Where a person is known or suspected to have an infection requiring additional precautions, staff must follow current national IPC guidance for waste handling and disposal, including using the appropriate waste stream/bags where supplied/required.
• Reusable eye protection must be cleaned and disinfected after each use using a product and method consistent with manufacturer instructions and IPC guidance, then stored clean and dry.
• Staff must not leave used PPE in the person’s home unless this forms part of an agreed safe disposal arrangement and is recorded in risk assessment/care documentation.

10. Risk Management and Contingency Planning

• PPE risk assessments will be conducted periodically to identify and address potential risks.
• Emergency PPE reserves will be available for pandemic responses or supply chain disruptions.
• Staff must report PPE shortages or inadequacies to management immediately.
• Non-compliance with PPE policies will be addressed through corrective actions and retraining.

11. Compliance and Monitoring

{{org_field_name}} maintains strict oversight of PPE usage by:

• Conducting regular inspections and spot checks.
• Reviewing incident reports related to PPE breaches.
• Addressing staff concerns and feedback on PPE effectiveness.
• Collaborating with Care Inspectorate inspectors to maintain compliance with best practices.

Evidence and audit trail

To evidence compliance and support continuous improvement, {{org_field_name}} will maintain:

• a PPE/RPE stock record including minimum stock levels, expiry checks and issue/collection arrangements;
• training records showing induction and refresher training, including competency assessment for donning/doffing and (where applicable) RPE;
• fit testing records where tight-fitting RPE is used;
• a record of PPE-related incidents/breaches and the actions taken (including retraining or supervision); and
• documented audit findings and action plans, including timescales, responsible person, and follow-up checks to confirm improvements.

12. Related Policies

This policy should be read alongside:

• Infection Prevention and Control Policy.
• Health and Safety Policy.
• Staff Training and Development Policy.
• Risk Assessment and Management Policy.

13. Policy Review

This policy will be reviewed annually or earlier if required by changes in legislation, best practice guidelines, or operational requirements.

---

Responsible Person: {{org_field_registered_manager_first_name}}{{org_field_registered_manager_last_name}}
Reviewed on: {{last_update_date}}
Next Review Date: {{next_review_date}}
Copyright © {{current_year}} – {{org_field_name}}. All rights reserved.