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School Crossing Patrols must be provided with, and wear while working, high visibility knee length garments complying with both the Home Office Circular 3/1989 and EN 471. It is advisable that a copy of the certification of conformity to EN471 is held on file for both the summer and winter garments.
Supervisory staff must ensure that SCPs always wear their full uniform, including a peaked cap, beret or yellow turban according to circular 3/1989, when on duty and that the coat is fastened.
Supervisory staff must ensure that SCPs fully understand that, to comply with the law, they must wear their full uniform of coat and hat and use the approved sign.
7/5/10
The Home Office is to update its guidance with regard to school crossing patrol uniforms.
The current version, published in 1988, is out of date and no longer compatible with the PPE requirements for operating on the highway.
Richard Hall, North Lincolnshire Council’s team manager for road safety and Road Safety GB’s SCP advisor, said: “To bring the circular up to date and provide a standard that is appropriate for the SCP role, the Home Office has consulted with the road safety and school crossing patrol services, with input from the manufacturing side.
”The new circular is still subject to ministerial approval but is expected it to be published later this year, probably in the autumn. Authorities will then have until 1st April 2013 to conform.”
The SCP uniform provisions in the new draft Home Office circular say:
"A knee length outer garment with full length sleeves, consisting of no more than two fluorescent colours covering the whole outer area of the garment (but may include non fluorescent *trimmings). The Garment shall be certified, by a Notified Body, to the highest Class of the standard for “High Visibility Warning Clothing”, currently Class 3 BS.EN471:2003+A1 2007 or future ISO 20471 equivalent. The garment is to include a retro-reflective tape configuration of at least two bands on the torso and one, 50mm band, not greater than 300mm from the hem of the body.”
Plus a peaked hat or alternative headwear for religious reasons.
*Trimmings are strictly defined as the collar and pocket flaps.
Contact Richard Hall for more information on 01724 297346.
