Protective equipment in preschools: The first time the Swedish Work Environment Authority is examining the issue

Charlotte Henriksson, safety representative at the preschool in Hackås, says that the staff is worried about how they should act when a child shows covid-19-like symptoms.

She has therefore requested protective equipment and clearer routines from her managers.

- If we are in a work team and someone has to walk away with a child who shows symptoms, who should do it? It can take an hour before the guardian can pick up their child. Should we stand and discuss in the situation who should "sacrifice"? Who should make the prioritization? said Charlotte Henriksson to SVT Jämtland earlier this week.

But the municipality says no and refers to the fact that neither the Swedish Public Health Agency nor the infection control physicians have made recommendations on protective equipment to preschool staff. They also believe that there are routines for how staff should act if a child shows symptoms.

The question has therefore ended up on the Swedish Work Environment Authority's table and this is the first time they have been allowed to decide whether preschool staff should have the right to protective equipment.

- The case came in at the end of last week, inspection was done in the middle of this week. We are now gathering facts to be able to take a position on what the safety representative writes, says Monica Björk, unit manager at the Swedish Work Environment Authority.

- Since we have not had a similar case before, we are extra careful. We are careful in all matters, but here we have no other matter to lean on or compare with, rather. Therefore, we must build up all the facts from the ground up, says Monica Björk.

However, it is not possible to say how the decision regarding the preschool in Hackås will affect other preschools in the country.

- We always take a position on the safety representative's specific wording, then we look at the circumstances and conditions at the current preschool, it can be about how much you are out or if it is possible to walk away with the sick child in a secluded space. It is also about whether you have had the infection in the workplace or not. So one should be careful not to draw too big conclusions.

How much importance do you attach to the fact that the Swedish Public Health Agency and infection control doctors do not recommend protective equipment?

- The Swedish Public Health Agency's recommendations are always interesting, but in our decisions we must lean towards our laws and regulations.

The Swedish Work Environment Authority is currently collecting statements from its lawyers and experts on occupational hygiene risks. A decision on the matter is expected in a few weeks.