Coronavirus: Postal staff in D15 refuse to deliver post because of lack of hand sanitiser

• Postal staff in D15 refuse to deliver post today without hand sanitiser

• No workers should have to work without appropriate Personal Protective Equipment

Paul Murphy TD commented:

“Postal workers in Dublin 15 refused to go out on delivery this morning as a result of the failure of An Post to provide hand sanitiser as requested. They are right to do so. No worker should be working without appropriate Personal Protective Equipment. There are numerous workers in essential services who need to provided with all of the PPE that they need in order to do their job for the benefit of society as a whole.”

Derek Keenan, a postal worker and member of the Independent Workers Union, commented

“Staff requested hand sanitiser as far back as January and given the unfolding pandemic were unwilling to take a risk to be out on delivery for up to 6 hours without an ability to sanitise their hands.”

Patricia Ruane, a home care assistant, also commented about the shortages and lack of hand sanitisers available for those in caring positions:

“I feel hand sanitiser should be given free not just to the carers but to people being cared for. This would include people who have dementia (they wouldn't remember to wash their hands), those who need to have the use of hoist equipment (mobility issues), or to those who have underlying health issues. I know from speaking to carers that they are worried about not having hand sanitiser (sold out almost everywhere), or not affordable on a carer's wage. I feel we all need back up to help support each other. As a health care assistant, I would like to know I am not going to be short of what I need for both me and those I care for.”