Illawarra paramedic Trent McLennan said hot and heavy uniforms often left him and his colleagues ‘’dripping with sweat from head to toe’’.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Mr McLennan is an executive member of the Australian Paramedics Association (APA), which has been fighting for changes to the NSW Ambulance uniform for more than 12 months.
‘’We have a choice of a heavy winter long-sleeved shirt, or a summer shirt which is made mostly of polyester, doesn’t breathe at all and feels like you’re wearing a plastic bag,’’ he said.
‘’It’s not uncommon for us to end up drenched in sweat – especially when we’re responding to road accidents where we might spend hours at the scene.
‘’When temperatures are well above 30, and even approaching 40 like they have been in recent weeks, then it’s only a matter of time before a paramedic becomes the patient.’’
APA – and the Health Services Union – are currently before the Industrial Relations Commission for recommending members shed part of their heavy uniforms during recent heatwave conditions.
A NSW Ambulance spokesman said the IRC recommended on Monday that all paramedics continue to wear the prescribed uniform.
‘’As outlined by the Commissioner the primary reason for this is safety and it allows members of the public and other emergency service personnel to readily identify NSW Ambulance paramedics in emergency scenarios.
‘’The prescribed uniform is also necessary to ensure staff are compliant with work health and safety requirements.’’
The spokesman said NSW Ambulance would meet with union representatives at the IRC again on Wednesday to ensure the matter was ‘’satisfactorily resolved’’.
However APA NSW assistant secretary, Ulladulla paramedic Glenn Congram, said the union would continue to campaign for change.
‘’Paramedics across NSW are complaining that the shirts are leading to excessive sweating, rashes, heat stress and dehydration,’’ Mr Congram said.
‘’They’re uncomfortable – and they’re often embarrassed as they have to be in close personal contact with their patients. Many, including myself, have to take a second shirt to work to change into.
‘’While vehicles and stations are airconditioned, paramedics are often on the beach, in bush areas or at road accidents, where there’s no protection from the heat.’’