How to choose the right body armour
Determining the correct protective body armour for your staff may appear complicated or daunting, but our website walks you through the process, and our brochure provides more detailed information
Once you've read the background on our body armour, and stab vest or ballistic vests pages, choosing the right body armour protection comes down to three simple questions:
- 1. Which threats are your staff likely to encounter? Carry out a risk assessment taking into account the risks your staff may face. This means the threats that are found in your local area (consult with the police if possible) as well as the threats that are specific to their job
- Are your staff at risk from knives and spikes?
- Is there also a risk from guns?
- Also consider the additional threats of blunt trauma and syringes
- 2. Which Home Office protection level is required? See the individual stab vests and ballistic vests pages for details of the level of stab, spike and ballistic protection recommended by the Home Office for the various duties
- 3. Which style is most appropriate for your staff? If you choose a style your staff are happy with, they are more likely to wear their body armour protection for the maximum time they're exposed to risks. Steps 1 and 2 are redundant if they hesitate to wear their vest because it's inappropriate for their duties or because they don't like the way it looks. See our stab vest and ballistic vest pages to see our seven styles of protective body armour - the largest choice of stock-backed styles in the UK.
Our brochure contains further information about choosing the right body armour protection, including everything you need to know about the Home Office standards, and two pages of frequently asked questions. Here are some examples of protective body armour questions we regularly answer:
What is the law relating to body armour?
It's not illegal to buy or sell "stab vests" or "ballistic vests" that aren't certified by the Home Office - the onus is on the employer to ensure the protection is adequate. Every organisation has a duty of care to protect their staff under the Health & Safety at Work Act, and this includes issuing protective body armour to staff that are at risk. In addition, if an incident occurs where employees are not adequately protected, an employer can face industrial tribunals and compensation, and the Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act allow for unlimited fines and publicity orders.
What standards should I look for to ensure my staff are properly protected?
The UK Home Office sets the standards for British body armour protection. From a protection point of view, aside from the CE mark, the Home Office Scientific Development Branch (HOSDB) standards are the only thing to look for. Be wary of a body armour supplier offering products "made to" Home Office standards - it must be tested and certified by the Home Office - ask for a certificate to be sure. Body armour suppliers simply calling something "body armour" or a "stab vest" does not mean it provides any protection - this is why the Home Office standards are essential.
Read more...
What should I look for in a body armour manufacturer or body armour supplier?
Home office certification is a must. It's hard to believe, but many body armour suppliers are selling uncertified products, and even having the cheek to describe them as "stab proof vests" (stab proof doesn't exist). We recommend looking at British body armour manufacturers, who publish a full UK postal address on their website and have a full brochure they can send to you. A reputable body armour supplier will have a sales representative that can visit you to demonstrate their protective body armour in your workplace. Good body armour manufacturers should have a number of styles, with a range lightweight body armour available from stock
If a vest protects from knives and/or guns, it must protect from syringes, right?
No - it depends on the vest. Because of its very fine needle point, a syringe will penetrate the majority of conventional body armour, including many stab vests with Home Office KR1 (knife) and SP1 (spike) certification. There is no Home Office standard for syringe protection - to protect from this widespread and increasing threat, look for a vest with specific syringe protection, and if in doubt ask them to visit you to demonstrate. All our vests offer protection from syringes.
My staff are concerned that stab vests will be "too heavy" and that the need very light weight body armour, what should I say?
Light weight body armour is very important, but it's best to look at the overall picture when looking for a body armour supplier or body armour manufacturer. Only Home Office certified armour ensures proper protection, and technology can't yet produce Home Office certified lightweight body armour that's as thin and lightweight as normal clothing. If you research light weight body armour that is also Home Office certified (with syringe and blunt trauma protection if required), as well as considering other comfort factors such as armour flexibility and heat and moisture management, you'll be doing everything you can to ensure your staff's comfort - without jeopardizing their safety. You'll then be able to explain to staff that lightweight body armour is very important, but that other factors also need to be considered for both their comfort and safety.
Our brochure contains numerous other frequently asked questions. And don't forget, our friendly helpful staff are on hand for a free consultation about your body armour protection needs.
What is your body armour made of?
Unlike purely kevlar vests, our body armour is an advanced composite - click here for further information.
Please Note: The wearing of body armour does not guarantee protection from all types of threats that may be encountered. It is the responsibility of the purchaser to ensure that the product specified is satisfactory for the intended purpose. Our expertise is at your service, with specific threat testing and proven solutions.
