1. Collect information about what is available and what is not
Your workplace should have enough personal protective equipment (PPE), but, as the CDC reports, “Major distributors in the United States have reported shortages of PPE, specifically N95 respirators, face masks, and gowns.” That means we need to track what we have and what we don’t advocate for enough PPE. Check your inventory, to see if you have enough of the following, for employees dealing with those who have contracted the virus:
- NIOSH-approved N95 respirators
- Surgical masks (face masks)
- Face shields
- Eye protection
- Surgical Gloves
- Protective Suits
- Shoe covers
If you don’t have enough for all staff to use and replace as needed, make a comprehensive list of what is missing.
2. Share information with The Agency to let them know of the shortages
The agency needs to know what the shortages are in order to respond to them. If the agency already knows but isn’t taking the steps it needs to try to provide the necessary equipment, we need it in writing that we informed them. Let them know you need a response ASAP. Let them know that the health of the employees, the public, and the ability to achieve the agency’s mission relies upon a safe and able staff, and that lack of PPE in the face of a pandemic assures that won’t be the case.
3. Notify your Local, Council, District and National
Let your local, council, and district know immediately. Get assistance with representation, mobilizing, and pressure. Every minute counts in this crisis, and everybody needs to share information for rapid responses.
4. File an OSHA Complaint
OSHA requires your agency to provide sufficient PPE necessary to keep you and your coworkers safe. If they aren’t meeting that obligation, you can file a complaint. You can contact your district for assistance in drafting a grievance to demand the agency provide enough PPE.
5. Notify your coworkers, get them involved
Every member of the bargaining unit needs to know that the Agency isn’t providing enough PPE to keep exposed employees safe, whether they are amongst the employees who are being exposed or not.
a. Draft newsletters and leaflets and emails to home addresses to let the staff know
- There is a PPE shortage at the workplace
- The PPE shortage at the workplace endangers the workers, the public and the community
- We let the Agency know about the PPE shortage
- All employees need to let the agency know this won’t stand
b. Hold meetings to solicit input and involvement as we push for a safe workplace.
7. Contact the Press
The community you live and work in deserves to know that we work hard to get the agency to remedy the shortage.
