Fire And Rescue Service Apparel

This Conference remains committed to ensuring that Women's Health, Safety and Welfare is never compromised at work, particularly in relation to work-wear and specifically PPE. One of the ongoing concerns the NWC have however, is that women wearing men's kit at work are exposed to a higher level of risk than those with properly fitting, gender specific personal protective equipment. This safety issue aside, the additional discomfort and restriction that ill fitting kit brings to any employee can be debilitating and is itself unacceptable. Although individually tailored kit would be the ultimate precaution and comfort, the Integrated Clothing Project (ICP) has researched, advised and provided a method for Fire and Rescue Authorities to ensure that many concerns are addressed in relation to PPE. Yet we are fully aware that take-up of the project has been piecemeal to date. In order to properly map the gap in good, gender specific provision of kit and properly address the deficiencies, this Conference demands that the Executive Council: • Carry out a national audit to establish a picture of where Women's Health, Safety and Welfare is still being compromised. • Raise these concerns as a matter of urgency at all relevant national forums, to achieve take-up of the ICP nationally as a minimum provision. • Provide information and support to all officials to ensure that this issue becomes a local priority Health and Safety agenda item. We call upon the Executive Council to report back progress to the NWC within 12 months of this Conference.