Following the setting up of the working groups last year, the above group has met on three occasions and has now agreed a set of recommendations to be put to the steering group. The terms of reference the group decided upon were basically to investigate and make recommendations on the following;

· The design and colour of the 'corporate uniform'.

· Make recommendations on the design and colour of the 'corporate' working rig.

· Make recommendations on other safety clothing matters.

Following detailed investigations it was determined that there is no definitive official guidance on the colour or type of PPE for S&R Teams. A member of INSARAG advised us that many other S&R Teams utilise the Civil Defence colours of orange and blue. The advice was also to shy away from colours too akin to military or Police riot response units as these are likely to draw 'friendly fire' as he experienced in Jakarta during the Indonesian Forest Fires.

Orange is used by such teams as the Swedes, Swiss, Japanese etc. and has high visibility properties, which is paramount for safety and links us with other S&R organisations. The reported comments regarding red attracting insects does not appear to be correct. It is agreed that yellow attracts certain insects and should be avoided. However, the advice given from the Hospital for Communicable Diseases prior to sending teams to Mozambique was to avoid DARK colours as these attracted mosquitoes.

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The recommendations of the group are as follows;

Areas of Consideration;

· Freedom of movement and comfortable to wear.

· Ventilation for use in confined spaces and hot climates.

· Fire retardant fabric, for use with hot cutting equipment or angle grinders.

· Ability to layer up underneath for use in cold climates.

· Ease of laundering.

· Not to hold significant amounts of water/ease in drying 'in the field'.

All in line with INSARAG recommendations

Recommendations;

· One-piece 'boiler suit' design, two piece an acceptable option.

· Action back with generous cut on arms, legs and crotch.

· Fabric to be 100% 3111 Proban treated cotton or Nomex Delta C if affordable, Unlined, 100% cotton or cotton mixtures if not.

· Full zip front closure with Velcro storm flap.

· Zipped elbow to wrist.

· Zipped knee to ankle.

· Elasticated ankle.

· Pocket access to underclothes.

· Side pockets and breast pockets with zip closures.

· Colour to be ORANGE, the correct colour code number to be determined as yet.