1. Policy Statement

Hireup is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for all Support Workers and Clients. This Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Policy outlines the requirements for the use, maintenance, and provision of appropriate PPE to minimise exposure to hazards that may cause injury or illness. This policy applies to all Hireup employees, Support Workers, Clients, and Account Managers, Aged Care Support Coordinators and Care Coordinators (Hireup Users) and should be read in conjunction with Hireup’s Health & Safety Policy and relevant work health and safety (WHS) procedures.

2. Purpose 

The purpose of this PPE Policy is to ensure the health and safety of Hireup Users by establishing guidelines for the use, maintenance, and provision of appropriate PPE to minimise exposure to hazards in the workplace.

3. Scope

This policy applies to all Hireup Users, including contractors and any other persons who may be required to use PPE while delivering support services to Hireup clients. The scope of application encompasses all work environments in which support services are delivered on behalf of Hireup, such as Hireup offices, Client residences, and community settings, where the use of PPE is necessary.

4. Definitions

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Equipment worn to minimise exposure to hazards that can cause serious workplace injuries and illnesses. These hazards may be physical, electrical, heat, chemicals, biological, or airborne particulate matter. Examples include, but are not limited to, gloves, masks, gowns, eye protection, and safety footwear.

Disability Providers: NDIS Registered Disability Providers who utilise the Hireup platform to find, hire and manage Hireup Support Workers to support their own Clients. 

5. Responsibilities

5.1. Shared Responsibility for Work Health and Safety (WHS) and PPE 

The responsibility for safety is shared equally across all members of the Hireup community including Hireup users. WHS and the correct use of PPE is a shared responsibility between Hireup and all Hireup Users. All parties have an important role in ensuring a safe working environment:

• Client/Account Manager's Role: the provision of PPE that is required and appropriate for the Support Services to be delivered and communicating any known environmental hazards (e.g., infectious illness, chemical exposures) that necessitate specific PPE to Hireup and Support Workers. 
• Support Worker's Role: responsible for correctly using the PPE provided, adhering to the training provided in the use of PPE and safe delivery of Support Services, inspecting any equipment provided to ensure it is safe for use, and immediately reporting any concerns, hazards or defects to Hireup including any concerns around the provision or appropriateness of PPE.
• Aged Care Coordinator’s Role: the provision of PPE that is required and appropriate for the Support Services to be delivered and communicating any known environmental hazards (e.g., infectious illness, chemical exposures) that necessitate specific PPE to Hireup and Support Workers; unless alternative contractual arrangements are in place with the Registered Aged Care Provider. 
• Disability Providers: responsible for ensuring the appropriate PPE is available for Support Workers based on the services being delivered to their Clients and communicating any known environmental hazards (e.g., infectious illness, chemical exposures) that necessitate specific PPE to Hireup and Support Workers. 
• Joint Goal: The shared objective is to collaborate in identifying and controlling risks to maintain a safe and healthy environment during the provision of support services.

5.2. Clients / Account Manager

The Client / Account Manager is responsible for:

• Providing task based PPE for use in the Client’s home and support environment as required by their support plan and agreed upon with their Support Workers, Hireup Relationship Manager and/or Hireup.
• Cooperating with their Support Workers regarding the correct use of PPE in their home.
• Informing the Support Worker, Hireup Relationship Manager and/or Hireup of any changes in their health or home environment that may necessitate a change in PPE requirements.
• Informing Hireup if there are any changes to their funding for PPE which will impact the availability of PPE which is required for the provision of support.

5.3. Support Workers

Support workers are responsible for:

• Attending and participating in all required PPE training.
• Correctly using and wearing the PPE provided for the specific task.
• Refer to support plan, specialised plans, risk table and utilise Stop Think Plan risk assessment  prior to completing tasks. 
• Not commencing an activity in the event that appropriate PPE is not provided. 
• Inspecting PPE before each use and reporting any damaged, faulty, or ill-fitting PPE immediately to Client/Account Manager or Hireup.
• Cleaning, maintaining, and storing PPE as instructed.
• Informing Hireup of any concerns around the provision or appropriateness of PPE.

5.4. Aged Care Coordinators / Aged Care Providers

The Coordinator and/or Aged Care Provider is responsible for:

• Providing task based PPE for use in the Client’s home environment as required by their care plan and agreed upon with their Support Workers, Hireup Relationship Manager and/or Hireup, unless an alternative contractual agreement is in place with Hireup.
• Providing adequate information to Support Workers regarding PPE requirements and correct use of PPE in their client’s home.
• Informing the Support Worker, Hireup Relationship Manager and/or Hireup of any changes in the health or home environment that may necessitate a change in PPE requirements.
• Informing Hireup if there are any changes, which will impact the availability of PPE required for the provision of support.

5.5 Disability Providers

Disability Providers are responsible for:

• Providing task based PPE for use in the Client’s home or support environment as required by their support plan and agreed upon with their Support Workers, Hireup Relationship Manager and/or Hireup, unless an alternative contractual agreement is in place with Hireup.
• Providing adequate information to Support Workers regarding PPE requirements and correct use of PPE in their client’s home and support environment.
• Informing the Support Worker, Hireup Relationship Manager and/or Hireup of any changes in the health or home environment that may necessitate a change in PPE requirements.
• Informing Hireup if there are any changes, which will impact the availability of PPE required for the provision of support.

5.6. Hireup

Hireup is responsible for:

• Overseeing the effective implementation of the PPE Policy for Support Workers and Clients.
• Providing multiple and easy ways for Hireup Users to report damaged, faulty, or ill-fitting PPE, and ensuring timely resolution.
• Addressing and investigating any PPE-related non-compliance or reported issues.
• Conducting assessments to determine the PPE requirements for specific support tasks.
• Ensuring that PPE is made available, either directly or indirectly through Client consumable funding at no cost to the Support Worker.
• Ensuring that the provided PPE is fit for purpose and suitable for the work being performed and fits the support worker.
• Providing training on the correct use, maintenance, storage and disposal of PPE.
• Reviewing and updating this policy as required.

6. Selection and Provision of PPE

PPE is selected based on the risks associated with the support needs of the Client, the specific tasks being performed and the support environment. Examples of when PPE may be required include, but are not limited to:

• Manual Handling: When performing tasks that involve handling objects that could puncture, lacerate or damage the skin e.g. used needles or waste bags holding improperly disposed of needles, gardening, handling or disposing of heavy lead-acid batteries for electric wheelchairs or mobile hoists.  
• Cleaning and Housekeeping: When handling cleaning chemicals or body fluids.
• Infection Control: When providing personal care or specialised support to a Client in line with the Specialised Support Plans for the  Client.

The following table lists common PPE and their general use:

Requests for PPE can be referred to Hireup in the following ways:

• Calling our Community Support Team on (02) 9113 5933 who are available from 8:00am - 5:30pm Monday to Friday
• Emailing our Community Support Team at hello@hireup.com.au
• Contacting your Hireup Relationship Manager
• Contacting our Trust & Safety Team via completing an Incident Report or “Report a Safety Issue or Concern”. 

7. Training and Information

All Support Workers are required to hold and maintain a current First Aid certificate. As part of First Aid certification, Support Workers are trained in standard PPE usage, hygiene protocols, and exposure management. 

Content covered in Hireup’s mandatory training modules (Infection Control and Working Safely modules completed through Hireup Academy) includes: 

• What PPE is;
• When PPE should be used;
• What type of PPE is necessary based on the level of risk of infection or exposure;
• How to properly put on (donn) and take off (doff) PPE to prevent contamination;
• The correct storage and maintenance of reusable PPE;
• The proper disposal of single-use PPE; and
• Infection management and control.

Training records will be maintained by Hireup and stored in the Learning Management System (LMS).

8. Maintenance, Storage, and Disposal   

8.1. Disposable PPE

Disposable PPE (e.g., gloves, aprons, surgical masks) must be discarded immediately after use into an appropriate waste receptacle, following proper doffing procedures. 

8.2. Reusable PPE

Reusable PPE must be cleaned, disinfected, and stored in a manner that protects it from damage, contamination, and loss. 

9. Review

This policy will be reviewed yearly or sooner if there are significant changes to WHS legislation, support worker feedback, or internal procedures.