HAVE YOU HEARD OF THE SPAG?
Introduced with the implementation of a single provincial health authority, the Safety Partnership Advisory Group (SPAG) brings together healthcare unions, physicians, as well spokespeople from the SHA and Ministry of Health including representatives from Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) and supply chain, to focus on ensuring every worksite has a functioning OH&S committee and assess how the SHA can assist them.

At the onset of the pandemic, the SPAG recognized the critical role PPE will play in protecting staff and patients and created a personal protective equipment (PPE) sub-committee to review processes, accessibility, and supply.

SPAG meetings provide SUN with the opportunity to raise members' concerns regarding safety issues in the workplace, address issues regarding supply and availability of PPE, and gain a better understanding of the safety procedures and processes in place throughout the province. These meetings provided SUN with the forum through which we were able to negotiate the PPE Principles document signed by the healthcare unions, the employer, and the Ministry of Health.

NOTE: SPAG meetings do not replace the critical need for local OHS Committee meetings and involvement in ensuring the safety of employees in the workplace.

SAFETY ALERT
In May 2020, due to the high demand and limited and listed supply of PPE around the world, the SHA applied for and received an exemption to use expired and/or repurposed N95 masks. SUN agreed to the use of the expired and reprocessed N95 masks only in emergent circumstances when certified and valid PPE are not available. This exemption expired on October 1, 2020; the SHA is currently seeking an extension to the order.

SUN has learned, contrary to the conditions of the exemption order obtained by the SHA, reprocessed and expired N95 respirators have been in circulation at some sites and used by healthcare workers.

WHAT IS SUN DOING?
On October 29, SUN requested the following information from the SHA:

  • How long the reprocessed and expired N95s been in use?
  • Where are these masks in circulation?
  • Has the OHS Division been notified of the breach of the conditions for the exemption?
  • What is being done to ensure the reprocessed and expired masked are not put back into circulation?

Have all expired respirators been accounted for and removed from circulation?

WHAT YOU SHOULD DO

With the knowledge of instances where expired or reprocessed respirators have been put into circulation, such circumstances highlight the need for vigilance by our OHS Committees and SUN members regarding PPE.

At this time, no expired or reprocessed N95 respirators should be used under any circumstances. Local leadership and/or SUN OHS Committee representatives are asked to take the following steps in helping ensure the safety of our fellow SUN members and all healthcare workers:

  1. Advise members to not use expired or reprocessed N95 respirators.
  2. Ask questions at your local Joint OH&S Committee meetings.
  3. Check inventory for expired or reprocessed N95 masks as part of workplace inspections.
  4. DO NOT agree to any exemptions to use expired or reprocessed N95 respirators. Contact SUN Provincial immediately if you are approached.

Local leadership and/or SUN OHS Committees representative approached by the Employer regarding OHS exemptions, or that have any issues or concerns related to expired or reprocessed PPE, should contact Denise Dick, SUN First Vice-President, denise.dick@sun-nurses.sk.ca to ensure SUN Provincial is aware of the situation and can address issues at the Provincial SPAG forum. 

Do you have questions for SUN's EROs/NPOs?


Call or email SUN:
Regina                                                         Saskatoon
1-800-667-7060                                           1-800-667-3294
regina@sun-nurses.sk.ca                            saskatoon@sun-nurses.sk.ca