Direction from the POVB Executive

Today, the POVB Executive raised with CSNSW that staff working in high-risk COVID locations are using PPE Face Masks-KN95. These masks are not Australian or New Zealand approved masks for wearing in high risk areas or in dealing with COVID-19 inmates/patients. We stated we require P2/N95 masks when working in high risk areas.

The high risk areas are:

• Centres – Locations that take new reception inmates and have:
  • Quarantine;
  • Isolation;
  • COVID positives; and
  • Staging areas.
• CESU – transport and court locations that take new receptions
• MEU

We also raised that staff working in high-risk areas need to be fit tested then fit checked daily in purpose-fit masks for individuals. This is what Justice Health nurses are wearing when working in the high-risk areas or when dealing with COVID-positive inmates. Justice Health have been fit tested and they fit check daily.

When we wrote to CSNSW on the matter and it was raised in the Command Post meeting it was made clear that if Justice Health are wearing P2/N95 masks in these areas we will accept nothing less than that. If Justice Health is being fit tested and fit checked then we should be also.

In our correspondence to CSNSW, we also wrote that whilst CSNSW is working on procuring the P2/N95 masks, centres and locations should locally source TGA approved P2/N95 masks for interim use.  Some centres and locations may already have these masks in stock.

The POVB Executive is directing all staff to do the following after 6.00pm today:

Correctional Centres

If you work in a Centre that takes new receptions, do not take any inmates if your centre does not have P2/N95 masks to wear in the following areas:

• Reception;
• COVID Positive Areas;
• Quarantine Areas;
• Isolation Areas;
• Staging Areas; or
• Any other area that may hold a new reception inmate who is being held in quarantine/isolation.

In any centre that has RAS testing, the staff supervising the RAS testing should wear a P2/N95 mask due to the high level of exposure from staff entering from the community.

CESU

If you work in a court location that takes new reception inmates, do not receive any new receptions unless you have P2/N95 masks.

If you work in a location that transports new reception inmates, do not transport new reception inmates unless you have P2/N95 masks.

It must be noted that these locations do not necessarily have Justice Health in these locations.  Therefore, inmates are not RAS tested, so all inmates should be treated as though they are COVID-19 positive.

MEU

The MEU staff are not to do an escort of any inmates out of a centre in the Metropolitan area unless they have a P2/N95 mask.

It must be noted that we have been informed that MEU staff have been instructed by Health professionals when entering a COVID positive area in a hospital to take the KN95 mask off and they are to replace it with a P2/N95 mask.

Fit Testing and Fit Checking

Fit testing and fit checking will take a period of time and we will keep communicating with CSNSW on this and ensure that it is implemented as soon as practicable.

Contact Details

Nicole Jess Chairperson 0427 609 199

Jason Charlton Vice Chairperson 0401 500 976

Natalie Howes Secretary 0407 011 441

Mark Hutchinson Assistant Secretary 0410 031 963

Darren King Country Vice Chair 0407 935 039

Joshua Hamade Country Vice Chair 0456 249 991

Clinton Lamb Vice Chair Overseer 0400 709 144

David McCauley POVB Industrial Officer 0419 022 767

David Bartle POVB Industrial Officer 0418 425 976

Trish O’Brien Welfare Officer 0412 120 391