Rank: Forum user 
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I work in a High Secure Unit and have been asked to advise on a request by nurses for Wet Weather Clothing. The need arises because it is a large site and patients have to be escorted from wards to such locations as the Health Centre, Faith Centre, Occupational, Educational and Recreational Centre as well as to other wards. The journeys are undertaken by foot and there is always the risk of attack on patients because of the nature of the client group. Lately there has been a slight increase in the number of times that ward staff are asked to escort patients because of a cut back in the normal escorting team. This has led to a demand for wet weather wear by the nursing staff. A risk assessment has been carried out and the need for the wet weather wear clearly exists because the escort team and the domestic team which move about the site have such wear as personal issue. However the risk assessment for the nurses suggests that a communal supply of outer wear in each ward would suffice, this is seen as one each of small, medium, large and extra large, water proof anorak types coats.
The question is can personal protective equipment be shared in this manner? If so do any of the following arguments mitigate that communal use and point towards personal use.
1. Keep the coats clean, the need for a laundry regime.
2. The possibility of the correct size not being available leading to ill fitting wear which may inhibit the wearers ability to defend themselves in the event of an attack.
3. The fact that others performing the same task at a higher frequency are to be supplied with the coats
I would be interested in any thoughts anyone has but especially any regulations that provide a clear direction in the use of communal protective equipment.
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Rank: Super forum user
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Hi Saf,
the PPE regulations do permit the use of shared PPE. Here is an extract from the HSE pubication L25 (PPE at Work).
23 When providing PPE for their employees, employers need to ensure that
equipment is readily available, and employees have clear instructions on where
they can obtain it. Most PPE is provided on a personal basis, but may be shared
by employees, for example where it is only required for limited periods. When
shared, employers need to ensure such equipment is properly cleaned and, where
required, decontaminated to ensure there are no health risks to the next person
using it.
It sounds as if the wearing of such clothing would be relatively short duration, and therefore acceptable. You would need to assess whether, given the staff safety considerations, high visibility jackets may be of benefit (easier to note the location of staff and patients groups). Additionally, the use of draw cords in jacket hoods should be discouraged for safety reasons. (use elasticated hoods?)
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Rank: Forum user 
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I see your problem.
Personal issue shouldn't be necessary but as you say personal defence may be compromised by use of incorrect sizing etc.
Laundry regime is irrelevant. They can be added into the normal workplace laundry provision I presume?
High frequency use I think would justify personal issue due to it always being available when required.
The incorrect size problem?...
Try a different type of clothing?
Ensure adequate supplies of different sizes?
Is it a reasonable concern? Would a coat REALLY make a difference to staff self defence?
What is the ratio for nurses to patients? If there was no 'alone' escorting would the risk still be there if there are 2 or more nurses to each patient? (Yes I know it's the NHS!)
I'm just trying to throw ideas at you to maybe help you think of something you've missed.
Personally I would have no problem with communal clothing as long as you can ensure availability, suitable sizes and laundering?
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