Commercial Fixed Wing
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
General None Reported / Taken
Company Policy
Current shortage of rubber gloves on every International flight needs company's immediate attention due to health hazard. Not only this flight from; but ALL flights that are longer than 5 hours need more than 10 pieces of rubber gloves inside the Inflight Service Bag. With the outbreak of Ebola and possible spread to the crew members and passengers; the prevention and protection should be the #1 priority right now. However since the change from food handler's film-type gloves to the rubber gloves a few months ago; there hasn't been sufficient quantity for longer flights to pick up garbage after each beverage and meal service. Most of the times; we call for more during the boarding; get a few more; but end up departing without enough for the duration of the flight. 13-hour flight to Asia requires 3 meal service; 2 separate beverage service; hourly routine water service; and lavatory checks which demands approx 40 pieces of rubber gloves (20 pairs) in Economy cabin only. Current # boarded is 10-12 per blue bag far less than the demand. We need to protect ourselves along with the passengers. We cannot wash hands under warm water inside lavatory all the time since the lavatories are always occupied. Please raise the issue and change ASAP to protect the public and the flight attendants from Ebola and other disease.
International Flight Attendant expressed her concern over an insufficient number of rubber gloves available for cabin staff in light of Ebola epidemic.