Body protection

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1. What is it for?

Body protection is principally designed to protect the torso, i.e. the chest and abdomen, from: 

• physical hazards (e.g. weapons or vehicles);
• biological hazards (e.g. human waste products); and
• chemical hazards (e.g. toxic or corrosive substances).

It is very important to select the right type of protection. The manager’s risk assessment should identify which hazards are likely to be encountered. 

2. What types are available?

High-visibility clothing:
This is designed to make sure you are seen whenever you have to work near moving vehicles, for example in dock areas or on roadsides. It comes in three basic forms, each of which has fluorescent strips attached so that you will be seen clearly if lighting is poor: 

• waistcoats;
• sleeved waistcoats; and
• ¾-length jackets.

Sleeved waistcoats carry extra fluorescent strips and are designed for use near high-speed traffic (e.g. by officers or teams working on public roads) as well as in all dock areas. For certain tasks in areas with poor lighting you may also be provided with trousers with high-visibility or reflective strips. You must make sure that you wear the right type of high-visibility clothing.

All high-visibility clothing should meet the national standard or its European equivalent.

High-visibility clothing must be kept clean if it is to remain effective by regularly sponging it with warm soapy water — this is particularly important with the fluorescent strips.

Disposable coveralls:

a) low risk: These are paper or plastic gowns designed for people dealing with suspected internal concealments of drugs (‘stuffers and swallowers’), to lessen the risk of infection from micro-organisms found in human waste products (the risk of infection is normally small if the specimen isolation toilets are used correctly). Disposable face masks and gloves are also available.

b) high risk: Gowns made by microporous laminates with stitched and taped seams which protect officers from risk of exposure when handling highly dangerous / toxic substances as well as infectious agents, blood and body fluids.

Disposable coveralls should be worn whenever you are dealing with internal concealments of drugs (‘stuffers and swallowers’), where you could be at risk of contamination by human waste products. Disposable coveralls are mainly designed for protection against biological hazards and toxic substances, however, they offer little or no protection against corrosive chemicals.

Full body coveralls in combination with protective gloves and respiratory protection should be worn when handling dangerous goods or the chemicals with unknown composition.

Disposable coveralls should be stored in clean, dry conditions until they are used. Once used, they should be disposed of — but remember that they will probably need to be treated as hazardous waste. You must place soiled coveralls in a separate tightly closed bag to be removed for incineration by an approved waste disposal company.

Oil-resistant coveralls:
These are designed for use when you have to work in oily/dirty areas. They will protect both your body and your normal working clothes.

Body Armour:
Body armour may be issued to staff who come into direct contact with potentially dangerous members of the public. It should be fitted correctly and officers must receive proper training before use.

You must refer to the legislation and the guidance of your national administration for more information.
The guidance contained in this section intended to serve as a general reminder of the risks that are sometimes encountered during the examination and sampling procedure and of the safety equipment that you should use and precautions that you should take.