Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) operational guidance To be circulated to all police officers.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) operational guidance To be circulated to all police officers and staff 8 April 2020 Explanatory note to accompany Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) operational guidance: practical scenarios 08.04.20. Please read in conjunction with this document. This guidance was based on HMG advice confirmed by Public Health England (PHE) to policing on 8 April 2020. The recommendation in all scenarios is officers have PPE readily available and as a minimum that this is a fluid resistant surgical mask (IIR) and gloves (non-latex). Operational scenarios 1. Staff working indoors with colleagues or suppliers should attempt to adhere to social distancing wherever possible. PHE has confirmed that the Government guidance is that in this scenario the use of PPE is not required. 2. Double crewing: It is recommended that PPE (minimum of a fluid resistant surgical mask (IIR) and gloves (non-latex)) should be readily available for officers where it is necessary to deploy double-crewed patrols or in personnel carriers. 3. General patrol: Forces should triage calls for suspected or confirmed COVID-19 cases to give prior warning re: PPE requirements. This is currently happening in most forces. Officers and staff should expect that they may need to don PPE quickly in some situations and take reasonable precautions to enable this. PPE should be ‘readily available’, for example on the officer’s person rather than in the back of the car. Officer safety is paramount in responding to situations but proper consideration should be given to ensure that PPE is not wasted. 4. Entering premises: On entering premises where there is no prior information or suggestion that those present are suspected or confirmed as having COVID-19 officers should have PPE ‘readily available’ capable of being donned quickly prior to, or upon, entering using the NDM to risk assess each incident. Officers should be aware that there is the possibility that infected occupants do not know that they are infected. 5. In the circumstance where ‘close contact with the public is likely and social distancing is not available and possible risk of infection exists’ it is recommended that officer and staff wear a fluid resistant surgical mask (IIR) and gloves (non-latex). Furthermore that they conduct a risk assessment on use of a goggles and an apron. 6. In the circumstance where ‘close contact with the public is likely and social distancing not available and symptomatic’ it is recommended that officers and staff wear a fluid resistant surgical mask (IIR), gloves (non latex), disposable aprons, goggles. Furthermore that they conduct a risk assessment on the use of a fluid-repellent cover-all/over-suit. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) operational guidance: practical scenarios 08.04.20 Inside duties External/public facing duties Cleaning of police, stations, cars and equipment Social distancing available Social distancing not available Contact with police colleagues and suppliers – Close contact with the public is likely and social distancing – not available and possible risk of infection exists not available and symptomatic Social distancing: first vital step in protection Basic hygiene Fluid resistant surgical mask (IIR) Disposable gloves (non-latex) Disposable aprons Goggles Fluid repellent coverall/over-suit „ Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth „ Wash hands for 20 seconds with soap and water and when not available use alcohol based hand sanitiser as often as possible, after incidents, and on return to station Contact with the public is likely – but with social distancing measures available Risk assess No No 2 metres 2 metres Aspire to achieve 2 metres separation Yes No No No Risk assess No No No No Risk assess Risk assess No No Yes Yes 2 metres 2 metres unless closer contact is essential 2 metres unless closer contact is essential No Yes Yes No No Yes Yes Hygiene and PPE requirement No No No No No Additional notes Masks – FFP 2 and 3 are only required in aerosol generating procedures (CPR, intubation), contingency equipment for custody, forensics, DVI and must be properly fitted to be effective. Used PPE that is not believed to be contaminated can be disposed of through existing arrangements. „ Social distancing where possible provides the most effective first line of protection – consider crewing arrangements. „ Think practically – how can I maintain social distancing? Use the NDM when likely to have close contact with a member of the public. What are your alternatives to close contact? Be proactive to protect yourself and others. „ Disinfect the inside of police vehicles thoroughly at the start and end of every shift or with a change of crew – focus on steering wheel, handbrake, door handles, radio, data terminal and seat belt. Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth. Use only force supplied surface disinfectants. „ Cleaning of stations – consider enhanced cleaning regime and regularity – use force supplied disinfectant and/or wipes. „ Office staff – disinfect equipment keyboards, mouse prior to use and at regular intervals throughout a shift using disinfectant and/ or wipes provided. Take the initiative – if you think it needs cleaning – protect yourself and colleagues. „ Avoid entering someone’s non-police premises unless it is absolutely essential to do so – consider phoning and/or speaking through window/door to maintain social distance. „ Remove potentially contaminated clothing and PPE using safe undressing, dressing protocols and disposal methods. „ Seal potentially contaminated disposable PPE in a double bag and dispose of it immediately in clinical waste (or, if not possible, store securely for 72 hours and dispose of it in normal waste). „ Fluid resistant surgical masks, disposable gloves, goggles and fluid repellent coveralls are all single use items.