PPE available to crew is listed in ePub and includes, but isn’t limited to:
- Nitrile gloves bulk (satchel, crew centre)
- N95 equivalent masks (crew centre) / Procedural masks (crew centre)
- Earplugs (crew centre)
- DEET (30%) wipes (crew centre)
- UPK (first aid kits) – NOT for general use.
- Gown
- Face Shield/Mask
- Nitrile Gloves
WHEN CAN I WEAR GLOVES?
- Pickup (ANY class of service – for pickup of any service items)
- First Aid / Medical incidents / Illness
- See First Aid and/or Suspected Communicable Disease in your manual
WHEN CAN I WEAR A MASK?
- Crew can wear a mask (procedural or N95 equivalent) at any time.
HOW CAN I ENSURE I ALWAYS HAVE A PAIR OF GLOVES AND/OR MASKS?
- Consider keeping a spare in your tote bag and jacket pocket during service, just in case. You are allowed to take a reasonable amount from crew centres to allow for use throughout your work.
WHAT IF I USE GLOVES?
- STOP before switching tasks or touching other surfaces (ex. galley latches etc.)
- Remove and dispose of them properly
- Wash your hands with warm, soapy water
- Get another pair of gloves if necessary
- Return to your tasks
- YES, THIS TAKES TIME. TAKE THE TIME.
WHERE CAN I GET MORE INFORMATION ABOUT PPE (where it is found, how to use etc…)?
- EPUB or speak with your health and safety committee
WHAT IF MASKS, GLOVES, EARPLUGS OR INSECT REPELLENT AREN’T AVAILABLE AT A CREW CENTRE?
- Please advise the Union (contact@accomponent.ca) so that appropriate follow-up can be made with management.
IS THIS BULLETIN A RESPONSE TO ANDES HANTAVIRUS?
No. The Union is issuing this bulletin as a general reminder in response to questions/comments raised recently by members regarding the use of PPE. However, it is relevant to situations such as outbreaks.
WHAT IS ANDES HANTAVIRUS?
The Andes Hantavirus, a strain of hantavirus found in South America, is distinct from the strains carried by Canadian rodents in that it is known to be capable of limited human-to-human transmission.
Symptoms include fever, aches, nausea and shortness of breath and usually appear 14 to 28 days after exposure but may develop sooner. Without treatment, fluid can build up in the lungs and lead to respiratory failure or death. There is no vaccine or treatment for hantavirus.
For more information on this, the following authoritative resources can be consulted:
- Public Health Agency of Canada – Hantaviruses
- European Centre for Disease Control and Prevention – Hantavirus Infection
- World Health Organization – Hantavirus
In solidarity,
Your Air Canada Component of CUPE Health and Safety Committee