‘You must make sure your stab vests are properly fitted’

21 February 2023

West Midlands Police Federation’s health and safety lead is urging members to ensure their stab vests fit properly after he called upon the Force to ensure best practices are followed, as delays to receive the protective equipment continue. 

Deano Walker recently raised his concerns with the Force, after discovering some departments were lending out stab vests, borrowing from colleagues or wearing ones that have outlived their lawful shelf life. 

Worried about the safety of members, Deano says that if officers do find them using pre-worn stab vests, then it is ‘fundamental that they are properly fitted’.

“I voiced my concerns with the Force after hearing that some departments have a pool of stab vests that they lend out each shift - some of which come from retired officers,” said Deano.

“While it seems the Force is listening to my calls, the emphasis is now on educating our members on the importance of ensuring their stab vest is properly fitted, if it is a re-used item.

“No one under any circumstance should be wearing a stab vest which isn’t properly fitted. Stab vests are measured to fit each individual officer - so if they are not wearing one that fits them correctly, they’re not getting the maximum protection they need which could ultimately put them in serious danger.”

According to The Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations, employers have a duty to ensure that personal protective equipment (PPE) is:

• Properly assessed before use to make sure it is fit for purpose
• Maintained and stored properly
• Provided with instructions on how to use it safely
• Used correctly by workers.

Deano also said that he has also recently witnessed officers wearing stab vests that are more than 10-years-old and in some instances nearer 20. 

“Stab vests should be used for 10 years, and no more. Again, to ensure they are doing their job and protecting the officer, this rule needs to be followed,” added Deano, who explained that some officers are experiencing a wait time of up to six months to get their stab vests due to there being a global shortage of some of the vital materials needed in their design. 

“Look, I understand the frustration our officers must be feeling if they’re waiting for a stab vest. After all, the majority of our officers want to get out on the streets - that’s why they’re in the job, right? But just because they’re keen to get out, it shouldn’t mean they put their lives at risk by wearing ill-fitted protective equipment.

“This issue needs to be taken seriously before one of our officers gets injured or even worse in the line of duty because they’re not wearing a stab vest fit for purpose.”

Deano’s concerns come shortly after Mark Andrews, the health and safety lead at the Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW), reminded forces of their legal obligations to treat their employees with dignity, consideration and understanding. 

Mark said: “I continue to be shocked by the information sent to me by Fed reps around the country, detailing the health and safety failings by forces and the risks this presents to our members.

“Since 1998, chief constables have been deemed the employers of police officers.  The onus is, therefore, on them to ensure their force complies with HSWA and the Regulations behind it.

“This ranges from not recognising obvious risks leading to a direct threat to life, to the lack of the provision of basic facilities to maintain the dignity of officers seeking toilet breaks or to change sanitary products.  

“This is not good enough.”

Mark stated that PFEW is working to remind forces of their legal obligations to treat their employees with dignity, consideration and understanding. 

The PFEW is calling on forces to ensure:

• Suitable and sufficient risk assessments are undertaken with reasonably practicable control measures put in place where appropriate
• Recognition as to when Generic Risk Assessments need to be updated or changed
• Appropriate training
• Uniform, equipment and PPE to keep officers secure and comfortable
• Working locations where we have facilities to rest, concentrate and take care of our basic human needs
• Consideration of our needs when deployed on operational situations.

Mark said the Police Federation’s six-point health and safety wish list was not unreasonable and actually enshrined in law.

He added: “In short, PFEW will hold police forces to account and make sure police employers do better.”