CONTRIBUTION TO STANDARDS
British Standards for PPE used in violent situations.
For over 15 years, from the committee’s foundation in 1998, through to 2013, Paul; Varnsverry was chairman of BSI technical subcommittee PH/3/12: "Protective clothing and equipment for use in violent situations and in training, including ballistic and stab protection."During his tenure as chairman, the committee produced a total of eleven standards as follows:
- BS 7971-2001 "Protective clothing and equipment for use in violent situations and in training"
- Part 2 (BS 7971-2): "Guidance on risk assessment and on the selection, use, cleaning and maintenance of protective clothing and equipment"
- Part 3 (BS 7971-3): "Personal defence shields – Requirements and test methods"
- Part 4 (BS 7971-4): "Limb protectors – Requirements and test methods"
- Part 5 (BS 7971-5): "Footwear – Requirements and test methods"
- Part 6 (BS 7971-6): "Gloves for protection against mechanical, thermal and chemical risks – Requirements and test methods"
- Part 7 (BS 7971-7): ""Slash-resistant gloves – Requirements and test methods
- Part 8 (BS 7971-8): "Blunt trauma body, shoulder, abdomen and genital protectors – Requirements and test methods"
- Part 9 (DD 7971-9): "Training suits and equipment – Requirements and test methods"
- Part 10 (BS 7971-10): "Coveralls – Requirements and test methods"
- Part 11 (BS 7971-11): "Foot and ankle protectors – Requirements and test methods"
Those with an interest in these standards are advised to contact BSI for further information (see contact details below).
The subcommittee - which is charged with the responsibility for preparing standards for protective equipment used by police, prison officers, security guards and others at risk of violent assault in the course of their employment – made amazing progress from its first meeting, in March 1997.
The proposal for the PH/3/12 work programme arose following the publication of the "Police (Health and Safety) Act 1997", which brought Police officers within the scope of the UK "Health and Safety at Work, etc., Act 1974", and interacting legislation, for the very first time. Protective equipment worn by the police in the course of their duties is generally not manufactured in conformity with the requirements of official standards, and the police and military are specifically exempted from the need to comply with EU Directives covering personal protective equipment.
The "Police (Health and Safety) Act 1997" and the "Police (Health and Safety) Regulations 1999" radically change this situation, however, and there are now strong legal indications that PPE for the United Kingdom's Police service must now comply with the requirements of the Personal Protective Equipment Directive (and possibly with its successor, the PPE Regulation of 2016) and bear CE marking. With successive Defence Ministers also issuing policy statements confirming that the UK military will comply with all prevailing Health and Safety legislation, the armed forces also appear compelled to use suitably-accredited PPE products wherever these are required.
The subcommittee - which is charged with the responsibility for preparing standards for protective equipment used by police, prison officers, security guards and others at risk of violent assault in the course of their employment – made amazing progress from its first meeting, in March 1997.
The proposal for the PH/3/12 work programme arose following the publication of the "Police (Health and Safety) Act 1997", which brought Police officers within the scope of the UK "Health and Safety at Work, etc., Act 1974", and interacting legislation, for the very first time. Protective equipment worn by the police in the course of their duties is generally not manufactured in conformity with the requirements of official standards, and the police and military are specifically exempted from the need to comply with EU Directives covering personal protective equipment.
The "Police (Health and Safety) Act 1997" and the "Police (Health and Safety) Regulations 1999" radically change this situation, however, and there are now strong legal indications that PPE for the United Kingdom's Police service must now comply with the requirements of the Personal Protective Equipment Directive (and possibly with its successor, the PPE Regulation of 2016) and bear CE marking. With successive Defence Ministers also issuing policy statements confirming that the UK military will comply with all prevailing Health and Safety legislation, the armed forces also appear compelled to use suitably-accredited PPE products wherever these are required.
The significance of the PH/3/12 work programme and BS 7971 is not confined to the United Kingdom alone, however. From the inaugural meeting, the participation of and input from International Liaison Members the Australian Centre for Policing Research, the Canadian Police Research Centre and the US Office of Law Enforcement Standards ensured that the standards had global relevance. Interest in the standards also came from Police Authorities in other countries.
The BS 7971 suite of standards continues to represent the benchmark in terms of evaluation of ergonomic and protective performance of PPE for the police, prison officers, military peacekeepers and other employees who are required to deal with violent situations, and the unique status of British Standards under British Law also present a significant barrier to vexatious and frivolous litigation in a way in which no other document can compete.
Under a new chairman, the suite of BS 7971 standards has been undergoing a systematic review and the publication of revised and updated versions is anticipated. For information on the work of PH/3/12 and BS 7971, or to enquire about joining and contributing to the work of the committee, please contact:
The Programme Manager and Secretary to PH/3/12
British Standards Institution
389 Chiswick High Road
London W4 4AJ
Telephone: 0208 996 9000
Facsimile: 0208 996 7001
E-mail: cservices@bsigroup.com
The BS 7971 suite of standards continues to represent the benchmark in terms of evaluation of ergonomic and protective performance of PPE for the police, prison officers, military peacekeepers and other employees who are required to deal with violent situations, and the unique status of British Standards under British Law also present a significant barrier to vexatious and frivolous litigation in a way in which no other document can compete.
Under a new chairman, the suite of BS 7971 standards has been undergoing a systematic review and the publication of revised and updated versions is anticipated. For information on the work of PH/3/12 and BS 7971, or to enquire about joining and contributing to the work of the committee, please contact:
The Programme Manager and Secretary to PH/3/12
British Standards Institution
389 Chiswick High Road
London W4 4AJ
Telephone: 0208 996 9000
Facsimile: 0208 996 7001
E-mail: cservices@bsigroup.com
INTERESTED? CLICK HERE TO MAKE AN
ENQUIRY