Coronavirus IT Staff PPE

[ITManLT]

Hello All,

 

I have seen there is a very big Coronavirus thread, but just for this one query so it didn't get lost in a huge conversation, I wanted to ask separately.

 

We have been open all throughout this for children of key workers (secondary school) and had between 3 - 20 students in the building which has been okay. Now that the Government have announced "some contact" with year 10 and 12 students and there will be more students and staff in the building, what are all your thoughts regarding ourselves and PPE. Are you asking/requiring PPE so that you can stay safe in the building?

 

I'm wanting to email and suggest that we have a supply of disposable gloves and each time we leave the office to go repair a computer (that another user has been using without gloves - potentially coughing/sneezing or just simply breathing on the device) we put a clean pair of gloves on and then dispose of them immediately afterwards.

 

Is this a general feeling with others on here? What are you requesting for the return to the building?

 

Kind Regards.

[Achandler]

I wouldn't bother with gloves in a school environment unless you are really use to using them already, mainly because you should be able to wash your hands before and after visiting a computer. You will wear them, touch one thing then another with the same gloves, you need to be really disciplined and use to the discipline with glove usage and you won't be. This isn't being disrespectful to you personally but you really need to have worked in an environment where gloves always is needed, so say an ambulance crew or hospital when they go to a patient, or a research lab. Also are you going to be classing the gloves as contaminated waste or general waste?

 

The exception to this rule would be if you have open cuts on your hands, glove usage then is advisable, I'd still wash your hands and wrists after each visit to someone anyway.

 

Assuming we are talking "teacher" computers or laptops, then insist on anti-viral alcoholic wipes available to people. So the staff can wipe down their own computers before you use it (literally in front of you before they leave it) or you can wipe it. Better to clean and kill the virus then leave it on the device then to use gloves.

[witch]

We have been given "Alcohol Hand Gel"

That's all it says - no percentages, no info as to whether it kills viruses or anything

[DrBeaker]

Pretty much what you said.

 

I've usually got a supply of face masks, gloves etc that sort of stuff anyway for when dusting out computers. However as I'd used my masks prior to the Coronavirus outbreak, I've had a real tough time ordering any since then. Some little darling staff or student also stole my last box of my gloves and I've got none left.

 

No-one has bothered to tell me anything so I'm making the decision. For me, in my office, you can't be 2m away from me so AFAIC no-one is coming into my office and there's a sign going on the door to that affect.

Any issues with computers they'll have to move rooms as you can't be 2m away from staff/students in some of our rooms.

[Achandler]

We have been given "Alcohol Hand Gel"

That's all it says - no percentages, no info as to whether it kills viruses or anything

 

Maybe it's 100% from the science lab. See if it burns your eyes when you open it!

[ITManLT]

Hi Achandler,

 

Thanks for that reply. I'm aware of the incompetencies of some people using gloves - it frustrates me seeing people in supermarkets wearing them, picking everything up and then still rubbing their face etc... single use, then dispose.

But what is a really good point is what you say "Better to clean and kill the virus then leave it on the device then to use gloves." That's a very good point actually and perhaps it does make more sense to wipe before we use it.

Thanks - I'll take that into consideration.

[bald_pig]

We've had masks, gloves, alcohol wipes and alcohol hand gel provided to us.

 

I'm not using the gloves myself, just sanitizing hands whenever I leave or return to my office, and wiping down other peoples devices before/after using them.

[caffrey]

No PPE here, face shields for parent facing staff though

 

No handgel in our office either

 

I'm just following the instructions that we've been given, which is zero

 

E.g kids byod iPads issues etc.

 

I guess it's just down to using common sense

[Achandler]

That is disappointing caffrey, there is now plenty of hand gel (especially large tubs and dispensers) available. You should at least have access to that.

[DrBeaker]

No PPE here, face shields for parent facing staff though

 

No handgel in our office either

 

I'm just following the instructions that we've been given, which is zero

 

E.g kids byod iPads issues etc.

 

I guess it's just down to using common sense

 

 

That's sad to hear all that.

 

I know supplies of all sorts of PPE are being ringfenced by companies but being told nothing is a poor show

 

 

But at least with you being IT, YOU will have some common sense and logic!

[hardtailstar]

I will be in my office all day when I go in. Any classroom issues will be dealt with remotely or at break/lunch/after school.

 

I will be wearing gloves whilst wiping down laptops or if I cannot wash my hands between jobs I will take a pair of extra gloves.

[localzuk]

Our prep has been

 

1) All requests have to be done via email or phone, no visiting us in the office - reducing the need for PPE in the first place

2) Any fixes in rooms will be done when empty - reducing the need for PPE

3) Disposable gloves and masks for when working on and cleaning a device - the mask simply for splash protection from using cleaning sprays and dislodging stuff from the devices

4) Hand gel available

5) Advice to wash hands regularly.

[caffrey]

I'm not sure on the guidance, but bubbles are popped when it comes to IT - no real way round it.

 

If I asked for things I would be sure to get them, but is that my job ? Thrown out of the window anyway as my technician is in and the office is 3x5m distancing is impossible. It's not too bad at the mo as it's only the younger years but probably more concerning when 10+12s come back

[DrBeaker]

I will be in my office all day when I go in. Any classroom issues will be dealt with remotely or at break/lunch/after school.

 

I will be wearing gloves whilst wiping down laptops or if I cannot wash my hands between jobs I will take a pair of extra gloves.

 

Our prep has been

 

1) All requests have to be done via email or phone, no visiting us in the office - reducing the need for PPE in the first place

2) Any fixes in rooms will be done when empty - reducing the need for PPE

3) Disposable gloves and masks for when working on and cleaning a device - the mask simply for splash protection from using cleaning sprays and dislodging stuff from the devices

4) Hand gel available

5) Advice to wash hands regularly.

 

Both sensible ideas.

 

Especially @localzuk with

1) All requests have to be done via email or phone, no visiting us in the office - reducing the need for PPE in the first place

You can use this to try and enforce creating a ticket rule.

 

I'll say +1 that I've not been asked or consulted about anything either so @caffrey you're not alone there friend. It's disappointing but I've gotten used to it now.

[caffrey]

Credit where credit is due though, they have done a great job around the rest of the school

[mdrabble]

Our prep has been

 

1) All requests have to be done via email or phone, no visiting us in the office - reducing the need for PPE in the first place

2) Any fixes in rooms will be done when empty - reducing the need for PPE

3) Disposable gloves and masks for when working on and cleaning a device - the mask simply for splash protection from using cleaning sprays and dislodging stuff from the devices

4) Hand gel available

5) Advice to wash hands regularly.

 

This is what I have said to out SLT - which they have approved.

 

Still actually waiting to hear if and when they want us in school.

[localzuk]

If I asked for things I would be sure to get them, but is that my job ?

During a pandemic? Sure, its all our jobs to come up with solutions that help all of those around you.

[LincolnE]

We've got Gloves and Masks here, plastic aprons if needed for specific roles.

 

Fortunately glove discipline is something I already know and have mastered, working on cars means you quickly work out how grease, oil and dirt gets spread if you're not careful!

Edited June 1, 2020 by LincolnE

[saggu]

We have been given "Alcohol Hand Gel"

That's all it says - no percentages, no info as to whether it kills viruses or anything

 

At least given something. We are told there is non available. only the class base staff are getting.

[caffrey]

During a pandemic? Sure, its all our jobs to come up with solutions that help all of those around you.

 

I have, in regards to IT - suggested a lot of solutions to issues and applied many just not my own.

[DrBeaker]

At least given something. We are told there is non available. only the class base staff are getting.

 

Shocking!!!!!

 

What are the Heath and Safety implications then with that? Isn't that discriminating against support staff? What about a risk assessment?

[mikeprice]

Taking one of the above points

 

 

This may be a good time to start enforcing a ticketing system if you work in a school where people - or 'some' people - currently refuses to use one

 

You can't really have everyone just wandering into your office and if you have a phone, email and a decent ticketing system then no-one should ever be knocking on your door in this climate!

[jthompson]

Push for use of helpdesk and remote support tools if you have them available.

Visits to the IT office by appointment only.

Disciplined handwashing.

USB keyboard and mouse for those occasions when userland stuff needs to be done in situ.

[MatthewL]

Gloves cause more issues than they solve. Regular hand wash, alcohol gel will be enough.

 

Gloves don't need t be worn in general day to day work at all, only should be in use if you are in contact with a human carrying out a procedure on them i.e. health care type person.

 

Wash hands regularly, don't touch face you won't go wrong.

[psydii]

We're going as per localzuk's post.

 

Also Apple have had guidance on wiping down their computers: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204172. Apparently Clorex wipes have been used by their technicians long before they updated consumer guidance.