NEWS


WATCH YOUR BACK


Federation ofers wide range of support resources


I


t has been estimated the UK loses an incredible 4.9 million days to employee absenteeism through work-related


back pain. For BackCare Awareness Week 2021 in early October, the Federation published a wide range of special blogs, videos and unique online resources to help members deal with issues caused potentially through their everyday work. Body armour is an essential piece of


personal protection equipment which saves lives. It can be cumbersome and adding other items of kit can impact the back, shoulder and spine. The successful Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW) “Back to Basics” initiative helped raise awareness of ways to prevent back issues associated with body armour. The first Home Office Body Armour Standard was written in 1993, and forces began to make it mandatory in the late 90s – so some officers have been wearing it for three decades. For many years, PFEW has been


at the forefront of research. As part of the National Body Armour Working Group, it works closely with the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC), policing organisations such as the Home Office and force health and safety leads. Federation Wellbeing Lead Belinda


recently attended Human Factor Testing of Generation 3 body armour, which featured colleagues of all ages and sizes and was administered by Greenwich University. Belinda said: “Although nobody


should expect to be assaulted while doing their job, the reality for any police officer is different. The Gen 3 body armour should be rolled out next year and, although the human skeleton is not built to regularly carry any kind of heavy weight, we hope this will provide better cover, be more flexible and less weighty, and that the


weight will be better distributed. “Members fully deserve the very best


protection money can buy – and Gen 3 is a welcome advance to the body armour currently provided to police officers. PFEW will always be at the forefront of any advances in this area of PPE, and for years we have been campaigning for better coverage. “This includes looking at the impact on female officers and the best bras to wear under body armour. PFEW commissioned this work, and we are awaiting the outcome of this important study. “We know also some forces mandate the fitting of body armour every 12 months, which is a really good practice. As a Federation, we would like to see this replicated around the country. “Also, when body armour has been


compromised during a car accident or during an incident where the armour has been impacted, we want this routinely checked out to ensure the armour is still fit for purpose. “We need to get the word out to


colleagues that when it’s safe to do so they should take off their body armour. Far too many of our colleagues keep it on when they enter a station to do a crime report, then three hours later realise they still have it on.” Even the Gen 3 armour won’t prevent


back pain if it’s used incorrectly or badly fitted. And National Board member and Operational Policing Lead Steve Hartshorn says forces need to do more to tackle these issues. Steve said: “We have been working


with experts to share ways to help ease the strain. We are also working with forces to remind them of their responsibility to look after officers’ welfare and encourage good practice around body armour care, storage and checks following damage. “We really need them to implement mandatory refitting every year –


particularly for colleagues who return to work following long periods away from work or wearing uniform. “As a former firearms officer, I


personally know the importance of properly storing body armour correctly. Colleagues need the correct storage for their armour, so they can hang this correctly and be ready to be used for the next shift.”


Also during the awareness week,


Leicestershire Chief Constable Simon Cole, NPCC Lead for Uniform, gave an update on the work being done nationally to help to ensure officers’ health and safety. CC Cole said: “One of the biggest


pieces of work ongoing in the world of uniform is the procurement process for the next generation of body armour, which concluded with a contract awarded to two suppliers. As well as taking the views into account of officers and staff via a national survey, we ran an extensive Human Factors Assessment Framework trial.” He continued: “The feedback from


colleagues was key to our decision- making process – and hopefully dispels any myths we simply procure from the cheapest supplier. We are doing our best to ensure body armour provides the best protection, while being comfortable and minimising any adverse health impact. “However, it’s equally key for


colleagues to take care of the armour, check it fits properly and to take if off regularly when in a safe environment like a police station. This reduces strain and ensures equipment is hung properly so it evenly distributed. It is also important colleagues maintain a level of personal fitness to support the demands of 24/7 policing.” Check out the Federation resources


to combat back pain by searching for “BackCare Awareness Week 2021” on the PFEW website: polfed.org


29 I POLICE I OCTOBER 2021


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