According to the NHS, there have been some recent cases of Monkeypox in the UK, but the risk of catching it is still low.
However, we want our UNISON safety reps to have access to advice in the event of local cases presenting in health and care settings.
Advice from NHS England is due soon, which we expect to give a clear steer on isolation procedures, interaction with sickness policies as well as infection prevention control advice on dealing with soiled linen and PPE.
In the meantime, this advice is aimed at safety reps and branch H&S officers.
- Check that your employer is following the latest UKHSA guidance on personal protective equipment. See Principles for monkeypox control in the UK: 4 nations consensus statement
- Check that Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) risk assessments are in place for any work activity/work environments where patients with monkeypox are being cared for and that the safety precautions, including adequate PPE, required under the UKHSA guidance are implemented. Check that COSHH risk assessments include contracted staff who need to enter and clean isolation rooms or handle laundry. See Hazardous substances at work – a guide for UNISON safety reps
- Check that the employer has steps in place to identify and protect workers who may be more at risk of contracting or becoming seriously ill from monkeypox infection, including pregnant staff and those who may be immunocompromised. Where an employee has notified the employer that they are pregnant, the employer must carry out an individual risk assessment. For more information on pregnancy risk assessment see Protecting pregnant workers and new mothers – Risk assessment (hse.gov.uk) or New and expectant mothers | Health and Safety Executive Northern Ireland (hseni.gov.uk) and Protecting the health and safety of pregnant women and new mothers in the workplace – Maternity Action
- Where a healthcare worker caring for, or in close contact with, a patient with monkeypox contracts monkeypox, ensure that this is captured on incident reporting forms and request that the employer to complete a RIDDOR report. For more information on RIDDOR see Reporting of Injuries, Diseases & Dangerous Occurrences RIDDOR (hse.gov.uk) or Report an incident | Health and Safety Executive Northern Ireland (hseni.gov.uk)
- Check that any period of isolation or time off sick with monkeypox, as required under the UKHSA guidance, is not counted towards formal sickness absence triggers.
- Use established mechanisms, including your health and safety committee, to raise any concerns on behalf of members.
Contact your branch for further advice if your safety concerns have not been addressed.