SMART watches and Staff Safety – JOL – Joint Organisational Learning (JESIP)

The following has been raised Nationally as a lesson identified around Emergency Service responder staff safety, and is applicable to all blue light responders when attending industrial sites, particularly COMAH (Control of Major Accident Hazards), such as refineries, chemical processing plants, gas storage depots etc. where there is an inherent risk of explosion.

When EEAST is called to attend an industrial site, such as a refinery or chemical plant, it is common practice for ambulance responders to gain entrance to the site via a security gate/compound manned with security staff.  Staff are routinely instructed when entering a site that mobile phones are prohibited and Airwave radio handsets must remain in the vehicle due to not being intrinsically safe (spark risk) and therefore pose potential to cause explosion in high risk areas. This MUST include removal of SMART watches.  

Whilst no specific PPE is required (unless directed by site security, such as high vis or hard hat) any electrical items must remain within your vehicle.

The Health & Safety Executive advises that under no circumstances should personnel retain SMART watches when entering an area outlined above.

For clarity, if attending an industrial site where security staff advise you to leave mobile phones and Airwave within your vehicle, additionally you MUST leave SMART watches within the vehicle as there is the potential for the device to cause explosion if in a high risk area.

Any questions relating to this should be directed to Craig King, JESIP & JOL Lead.

 Published 17th March 2023