HEALTH & SAFETY
BEATING THE HEAT
PFEW has launched a Heat Illness Prevention Policy, as climate change is causing hotter summers in England and Wales
The Police (Health & Safety) Act 1997 defines police officers as being “employees” and “at work” while on duty for the purposes of health and safety legislation. The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 (HSWA) and the regulations made under it apply to all police service work activities. The primary duties under HSWA are on employers. Since the 1997 Act, chief constables have been deemed the employers of police officers and therefore primarily responsible for complying with this legislation. A breach of any of these duties is potentially a civil and a criminal offence. The Police Federation of England and
Wales (PFEW) recognises that officers will inevitably face significant and serious dangers in the course of their work. Health and safety legislation exists to provide protections for officers and the public. It is not designed to hinder the ability of police officers to deliver an effective emergency service. Likewise, the purpose of establishing the Heat Illness Prevention Policy is not to put barriers in place for policing activity, but to help keep officers safe who put themselves in harm’s way. Heat illness is a serious and
potentially life-threatening condition. It can affect police officers performing a range of operational duties and training. The purpose of the policy is to improve awareness and management of this risk, with the aim of eliminating injury and preventing deaths.
the risk of heat illness exists. Those taking part in an activity must know who their supervisor is.
communicated to relevant officers and complied with.
“The Heat Illness Prevention Policy will not put barriers in place for policing, but help keep officers safe who put themselves in harm’s way”
The policy lays down the following key elements, which are aimed at ensuring adequate support and mechanisms are in place to help safeguard officers:
1. A supervisor should be appointed to take responsibility for any activity where
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The appointed supervisor must make sure that all those taking part in an activity are safe. That supervisor must make sure that: a. Heat illness is considered when any activity is being planned. b. Risk assessments are carried out and are approved before they are relied upon. c. Controls to lower the risk are identified,
d. When an activity has been paused because symptoms of heat illness have been observed, a dynamic risk assessment is carried out and the activity does not start again until further controls have been put in place.
2. The risk of heat illness must be considered in the risk assessment for all police activities.
The risk assessment must as a minimum consider the following risk factors: a. Clothing and equipment b. Expected work rate c. Working climate d. Location
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