Personnel Today
  • OHW+
  • Join
  • Resources
    • Clinical governance
    • Disability
    • Ergonomics
    • Health surveillance
    • OH employment law
    • OH service delivery
    • Research
    • Return to work and rehabilitation
    • Sickness absence management
    • Wellbeing and health promotion
  • Conditions
    • Mental health
    • Musculoskeletal disorders
    • Blood pressure
    • Cancer
    • Cardiac
    • Dementia
    • Diabetes
    • Respiratory
    • Stroke
  • CPD
  • Webinars
  • OHW Awards
  • Jobs
  • Personnel Today

Register
Log in
Personnel Today
  • OHW+
  • Join
  • Resources
    • Clinical governance
    • Disability
    • Ergonomics
    • Health surveillance
    • OH employment law
    • OH service delivery
    • Research
    • Return to work and rehabilitation
    • Sickness absence management
    • Wellbeing and health promotion
  • Conditions
    • Mental health
    • Musculoskeletal disorders
    • Blood pressure
    • Cancer
    • Cardiac
    • Dementia
    • Diabetes
    • Respiratory
    • Stroke
  • CPD
  • Webinars
  • OHW Awards
  • Jobs
  • Personnel Today

NHSCoronavirusEducationHealth and safetyOccupational Health

Call for FFP3 masks to be made available for all health workers

by Ashleigh Webber 13 Jan 2021
by Ashleigh Webber 13 Jan 2021 Agnieszka Pas / Shutterstock.com
Agnieszka Pas / Shutterstock.com

All health and social care staff potentially in contact with Covid-19 patients should be provided with FFP3 respirators in order to mitigate the increased risks from new strains of coronavirus, an industry body has said.

As little is known about how infectious new virus variants are and whether there are differences in how they are transmitted, the British Occupational Hygiene Society (BOHS) said more stringent requirements for respiratory protection should be considered.

Face masks

HSE issues warning over use of KN95 masks as PPE

Clear face masks for NHS staff to support people with hearing loss

It recommended FFP3 masks and powered respirators, which offer better comfort and fit for those working long shifts.

Powered respirators are also recommended for intensive care staff, where aerosol-generating procedures are likely, and finding masks that fit appropriately can be difficult.

It was also concerned that staff were being given Fluid Resistant Surgical Masks (FRSM), which are designed to reduce the risk of exhaled particles, as PPE by some healthcare employers. BOHS reminded organisations that FRSM is not designed to be PPE and offers only very limited reduction in exposure risk to the wearer.

Finally, with evidence suggesting that the new mutations were more infectious among children than previous Covid variants, the BOHS suggested that protection measures in schools should be reviewed.

It said education settings should consider issuing FFP2 respirators to staff in contact with children, such as teachers, teaching assistants and school support workers.

Many schools currently remain closed to all but the children of key workers and vulnerable pupils.

BOHS president Kelvin Williams said: “The basic science behind our guidance continues to be valid and the new mutations, while concerning, do not cause us to have a rethink. However, we are aware that in some areas, particularly in healthcare, sufficient precautions may not be in place.

“It is really important that the right level of protection is provided to workers in the face of these more infectious versions of the virus. We can’t afford to be complacent.”

BOHS reminded organisations to review its guidance for Covid-19 infection control, which includes advice on spotting a fake respirator and return to work issues.

Ashleigh Webber
Ashleigh Webber

Ashleigh is editor at OHW+ and part of the Personnel Today editorial team. Prior to joining Personnel Today in 2018, she covered the road transport sector for Commercial Motor and Motor Transport.

previous post
EasyJet crew to be trained to deliver vaccines
next post
Study finds link between daily alcohol consumption and irregular heart rhythm

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

You may also like

Crumbling school buildings ‘risk to life’ suggests leak

16 May 2022

‘Gulf War Syndrome’ caused by release of nerve...

13 May 2022

Covid has amplified risk of poor infection control,...

6 May 2022

New law protects emergency and retail workers from...

4 May 2022

Four ways technology can help improve health and...

26 Apr 2022

MPs urge asbestos removal from workplaces

21 Apr 2022

Businesses plead for free or cheaper Covid-19 tests

19 Apr 2022

Warning of heightened blood clot risk for six...

8 Apr 2022

PPE should be ‘last resort’ health and safety...

1 Apr 2022

Free Covid tests for workers in ‘high risk’...

30 Mar 2022

  • The importance of being an ethical leader and how to become one PROMOTED | What is ethical leadership?...Read more
  • RPO Report: 2022, The Year to Outsource PROMOTED | Employers should be overwhelmed with choice...Read more
  • Report: Enabling organisational agility through talent & people success PROMOTED | Work has been challenged...Read more
  • Employee Trends 2022 report PROMOTED | Edenred research on employees analysed the key employees’ trends for 2022...Read more
  • How finance apprenticeships can boost business PROMOTED | As the world’s most forward-thinking professional accountancy body...Read more
  • Paul Devoy: Showing appreciation to the Investors in People community PROMOTED | Ask most people what comes to mind when you mention Investors in People...Read more
  • White paper: How digitalisation can support evolving occupational health PROMOTED | Download this free white paper to discover how digitalisation can help occupational health meet emerging challenges...Read more

PERSONNEL TODAY

About us
Contact us
Browse all HR topics
Email newsletters
Content feeds
Cookies policy
Privacy policy
Terms and conditions

JOBS

Personnel Today Jobs
Post a job
Why advertise with us?

EVENTS & PRODUCTS

The Personnel Today Awards
The RAD Awards
Employee Benefits
Forum for Expatriate Management
OHW+
Whatmedia

ADVERTISING & PR

Advertising opportunities
Features list 2022

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Linkedin


© 2011 - 2022 DVV Media International Ltd

Personnel Today
  • OHW+
  • Join
  • Resources
    • Clinical governance
    • Disability
    • Ergonomics
    • Health surveillance
    • OH employment law
    • OH service delivery
    • Research
    • Return to work and rehabilitation
    • Sickness absence management
    • Wellbeing and health promotion
  • Conditions
    • Mental health
    • Musculoskeletal disorders
    • Blood pressure
    • Cancer
    • Cardiac
    • Dementia
    • Diabetes
    • Respiratory
    • Stroke
  • CPD
  • Webinars
  • OHW Awards
  • Jobs
  • Personnel Today