Dress instructions | Chapter 7 Health, safety and occupational dress

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POLICY

  1. Safety and occupational dress items are intended and authorized for wear in the work place and during the execution of appropriate duties. The items are worn in common by all entitled CAF members with or in lieu of service dress items. They may also be worn with operational dress, subject to direction of the environmental commander concerned.
  2. Standard service dress items, such as topcoats (gabardines), are not included in this chapter. Their wear shall be as directed elsewhere in these instructions or as directed in local orders/instructions.

SAFETY CLOTHING AND EQUIPMENT

  1. Motorcycles, Motor Scooters, Mopeds, Snowmobiles and Bicycles
    1. Civilian-pattern helmets shall be worn by personnel in uniform when operating or riding a motorcycle, motor scooter, moped, or snowmobile, other than as part of their normal duty. The helmet shall be free of insignia and gaudy or bizarre designs. Appropriate military headdress shall be carried for wear immediately upon dismounting from the vehicle. The wearing of a helmet when operating a bicycle is strongly encouraged.

      Military-pattern or other issued helmets and goggles shall be worn by personnel operating or riding a military motorcycle or snowmobile in the performance of their duties. Under conditions of severe cold where the wearing of a helmet is not compatible with the wearing of protective clothing, the wear of a helmet may be waived by the commanding officer.
    2. The chin strap of all helmets shall be kept fastened when the vehicle is in motion.
    3. Jackets and other protective clothing are optional but recommended for wear by CAF personnel when operating motorized vehicles indicated at sub-paragraph 3.a., above.
    4. The protective clothing shall normally be of a sombre subdued style, but need not cover the uniform completely (i.e. a jacket by itself is acceptable).
  2. Construction Helmets. These helmets shall be worn by all personnel in a designated hard-hat area. Upon leaving the hard-hat area, the helmet shall normally be replaced by standard, authorized headdress. However, helmets may be worn between hard-hat sites on a defence establishment, with no administration stops permitted.
  3. Safety/Linesman’s Boots Commercial Pattern. These boots shall be worn with occupational or operational orders of dress, by authorized personnel who require them for their occupational duties. The boots shall be worn at the work site, and may be authorized for wear within the confines of a defence establishment and when commuting between residence and place of duty.
  4. Safety Glasses/Goggles. These items, which are other than prescription safety lenses mounted in conventional eyeglass frames, shall be worn in accordance with local safety instructions, by authorized tradesmen at the work site and when operating specific construction and operational equipment (see also sub-paragraph 3.b.). They shall not be worn off the work site. Prescription safety lenses mounted in conventional eyeglass frames may be worn with all standard orders of dress.
  5. Commercial Headsets
    1. Commercial headsets shall not be worn by personnel in uniform, except where required in the performance of a military duty. Similarly, personnel on duty wearing civilian clothes shall not wear a commercial headset. Ear buds may be worn when travelling on public transit only.

MATERNITY DRESS

  1. When conventional pattern uniforms are no longer comfortable or aesthetically appropriate, a pregnant member shall commence wearing maternity dress.
  2. Non-operational maternity dress is a common-pattern ensemble in light-weight, washable material in three environmental colours. There is also a white occupational variant for medical, dental, and food services personnel, worn as well by navy personnel during the summer dress period.
  3. The ensemble consists of general-purpose items suitable for wear as alternatives to those of service dress and its ceremonial and mess derivatives. Medals and accoutrements may be worn on ceremonial dress occasions. The ensemble includes a jacket, sweater, slacks, maternity shirts in both long and short sleeve format, and a top-coat with removable liner (see Figure 7-1).
  4. Maternity uniforms shall be retained by the member for the length of their career. On a subsequent pregnancy, members will not be entitled to a further issue of DEU maternity uniforms. Replacement items can be purchased with points or through the cash sales. It is the member’s responsibility to contact their supporting clothing stores to get their online maternity catalogues regenerated by the COL office. If a member has been authorized a change of environment, another subsequent initial issue in the correct environment is authorized.
  5. Operational clothing dress items may be modified for pregnant members. Instructions are available from NDHQ/DSSPM, through the CAF Supply System. Otherwise, pregnant and newly-delivered members will either wear larger, looser operational dress items above the normal scale of issue, or non-operational maternity items, depending on the occasion or as ordered.

MILITARY POLICE

  1. Military Police  Occupational  Patrol Dress (MPOPD).  The MPOPD is a black uniform ensemble designed, and intended for military policing duties within Canada. It facilitates the unambiguous identification of MP during routine and crisis situations particularly where the swift recognition of MP personnel is critical. In emergencies such as “Immediate Action/Rapid Deployment” (IARD) responses, all MP 00161 and MPO 00214 members, regardless of their routine duties, must be able to respond to an “active shooter” incident in order to prevent or minimize casualties. Consequently, all qualified MP/MPO tasked with delivering military policing services at a Defence Establishment are to be issued with, and routinely wear, MPOPD in tandem with MP soft body armour and sidearm. The MPOPD ensemble consists of the following:
    1. Jacket, black, dual layer removable system, bomber style, worn over the soft body armour. The jacket is equipped with a pull-down flap on the back with the words “MILITARY POLICE/POLICE MILITAIRE”. This flap is only displayed when increased visibility is required.
    2. Shirt, black, short sleeve or long sleeve, with front pockets, worn tucked into the trousers;
    3. Trousers, black, with side cargo pockets, worn straight leg style and not bloused.
    4. T-shirt, crew-neck, short sleeve (local purchase). T-shirts shall be solid black in colour and not be altered or bear any visible markings on the collar, sleeves, or body. T-shirts are to be worn underneath the MPOPD shirt and their sleeves shall not extend past the edges of the exterior shirt’s sleeves;
    5. Shirt, turtleneck, black, long sleeve (local purchase). Turtleneck shirts shall be solid black in colour, of a light construction, and not altered or bear any visible markings on the collar, sleeves, or body. Turtlenecks may only be worn underneath the long sleeve MPOPD shirt and their sleeves shall not extend past the edges of the exterior shirt’s sleeves. The collar, when folded, shall not extend more than half-way up the wearer’s neck;
    6. Boots, combat, black, or boots, cold weather, black. Subject to Canadian Forces Provost Marshal (CFPM) policy, MP personnel may wear commercial police-style boots with the MPOPD (local purchase);
    7. Scarlet beret or turban, with MP Branch cap badge;
    8. The tuque, navy, black or hat, winter black, Yukon is authorized for wear with the MPOPD in cold or inclement weather during winter dress periods. The MP Branch cap badge shall not be affixed to either form of winter headdress; and
    9. Any other component(s) of dress specific to the performance of military police duties that are authorized by the CFPM and published in MP policy.
  • Questions concerning the MPOPD should be directed to the Deputy Provost Marshal Police and Security (DPM Police Secur) or the MP Branch CWO.
  1. MPOPD Rank Insignia and Unique MP Identifiers. The following identifiers are authorized for wear and shall be worn with MPOPD:
    1. Rank Insignia. Irrespective of the environmental affiliation of the wearer, black naval rank “slip-ons ” shall be worn on the epaulettes of all MPOPD shirts, jackets, and soft body armour. The rank insignia on the MPOPD shirt may be removed when wearing the soft body armour, but must be replaced when the armour is not being worn;
    2. Shoulder Insignia. All MPOPD shirts and jackets as outlined in para’s 13a and 13b will have the MP shoulder patch (NSN 8455-21-921-6589) sewn on both upper sleeves. This patch shall not be affixed to any undergarment, such as T-shirts, or turtlenecks, or any other item of clothing not authorized for MPOPD wear; and
    3. Nametapes. Black cloth nametapes with gold embroidered lettering and elemental identifier shall be affixed to MPOPD shirts and soft body armour by means of a hook-and-loop fastening system. Early pattern MPOPD items that do not have the required fastening system shall be tailored accordingly in order to accommodate the correct placement of nametapes.
  2. Military Police Accoutrements and Personal Protective Equipment. The following accoutrements and personal protective equipment (PPE) are authorized for wear and shall be worn with MPOPD:
    1. Headdress. Scarlet headdress identifiers shall be worn by all Military Police personnel with all ceremonial and service orders of dress as detailed in Chapter 5 and, in the case of turbans, Chapter 2;
    2. Duty Gear. MP Duty Gear consists of any equipment items worn on or with MPOPD by MP personnel performing patrol or IARD duties. Duty Gear equipment includes, but is not limited to the duty belt, pistol holster, handcuff case, and carriers for any approved intermediate weapon. Only items appearing on the MP scale of issue (D01307 CFS) and/or authorized by the CFPM shall be worn with MPOPD; and
    3. Miscellaneous Accoutrements and PPE. Other MP accoutrements and PPE (e.g. soft body armour, search gloves, etc) as prescribed by the CFPM through MP Branch policy, are authorized for wear when performing military policing duties. Questions concerning such equipment items are to be directed to DPM Police Secur or the Branch CWO.

MEDICAL

  1. Smock. The following medical personnel are authorized to wear a smock, general purpose (white lab coat) over shirt-sleeve orders when on duty in a hospital, clinic or laboratory: pharmacists (MOS ID 00194), medical officers (MOS IS 00196), medical associate officers (X-ray and laboratory) (MOS ID 00197), social workers (MOS ID 00198), medical laboratory technologists (MOS ID 00152), medical radiation technologist (MOS ID 00153), and preventive medicine technicians (MOS ID 00334).
  2. White Ensembles. The following medical personnel are authorized to wear the white ensembles described below when on duty in a hospital, clinic or laboratory; within the confines of a defence establishment, including messes during normal duty hours; when escorting a patient by ambulance; or in a medical emergency anywhere. Approved headdress is worn outside a medical facility.
    1. Ensemble of jacket or smock, medical assistant (short-length, white); trousers or slacks (white polyester/cotton); belt (trousers, web); and shoes leather white, with socks white, by: nursing officers (MOS ID 00195), medical assistants (MOS ID 00150), medical laboratory technologists (MOS ID 00152), medical radiation technologists (MOS ID 00153), and preventive medicine technicians (MOS ID 00334). All but nursing officers may wear the smock alone with service dress trousers and footwear.
  3. Dress, White, Medical. Members of a medical MOS ID, except physiotherapists and administrative personnel and medical associate officers assigned to a medical establishment, may alternatively wear a dress, white, medical in lieu of the pantsuit or other service dress ensemble noted above. Shoes, leather, white, with nylons, plain-pattern white, shall be worn with the dress.
  4. Jacket, Warmth. Members of a medical MOS ID may wear a jacket, warmth, white with all orders of dress listed above, when required.
  5. Physiotherapists. Authorized occupational clothing items for physiotherapists are yet to be promulgated.
  6. Name Tags. Name tags are worn centred on the right side of the smock, general purpose:
    1. 11.5 – 15.0 cm from the shoulder seam to the top edge of the tag depending on members size.
  7. Name tags and environmental slip-ons with rank and appointment insignia are worn on the smock, medical assistant, pantsuit, and dress. For army non-commissioned members, a single metal enamel rank badge is worn centred 1.2 cm above the name tag. The name tags are worn:
    1. on the smock medical assistant, as for the smock general purpose, with the outside edge of the tag on a line with the inner vertical stitching of the smock closure;
    2. on the pantsuit jacket, as for the smock, general purpose; and
    3. on the dress, horizontally and centred between the second and third closure buttons on the upper right forepart of the bodice.
  8. Buttons. Environmental or, for army personnel, branch buttons are worn.
  9. Ribbons and Insignia. Ribbons and other insignia shall not be worn.
  10. Supplementary Clothing Items. Supplementary medical clothing items, such as operating room gowns, are worn within a hospital or on its grounds as directed by its commanding officer.

DENTAL

  1. Dental personnel are authorized to wear peacock blue scrub tops and pants with shoes, leather, white and socks or nylons, plain-pattern, white in lieu of service dress items when on duty in a dental facility.
  2. Name tags are worn centred on the upper right side of the scrub top:
    1. 11.5 – 15.0 cm from the shoulder seam to the top edge of the tag depending on members size.

CHAPLAINS

  1. Identifying Badge
    1. Chaplains shall wear an appropriate regulation metal faith group identifier (i.e. Latin Cross, Crescent, Tablets with Star of David) with No. 3B (short-sleeve shirt) order of dress, with the base of the faith group identifier positioned 0.6 cm above the centre of the name tag/tape; and
    2. Chaplains wearing either navy or air force uniforms shall wear an appropriate regulation metal faith group identifier (i.e. Latin Cross, Crescent, Tablets with Star of David) on service dress jackets, with the bottom of the faith group identifier centred 0.6 cm above the name tag.
  2. Clerical Shirts, Collar and Stock. The clerical collar, worn with black stock or shirt, is an optional item authorized for wear by chaplains with all orders of dress, except where prohibited by operational considerations.
  3. Ecclesiastical Vestments. When officiating at divine services, chaplains shall wear the ecclesiastical vestments acceptable to their denomination and as provided in scales of issue. The wearing of academic hoods with ecclesiastical vestments, is authorized, and may be worn at the individual discretion of chaplains.
  4. Undress Ribbons. Undress ribbons are worn by chaplains (P) on issue preaching scarves and by chaplains (RC) on issue stoles. The ribbons are positioned on the scarf and stole relative to their location on the service dress jacket.
  5. Orders, Decorations and Medals. Chaplains wear orders, decorations and medals on issue preaching scarves or stoles on appropriate occasions.
  6. Cemetery Cloak. The cemetery cloak may be worn as a protective outer garment in inclement weather with service dress.
  7. Operational Clothing. When wearing operational clothing, the faith group identifier shall be worn above the nametape on shirts. On the rain jacket or when wearing tactical vests the faith identifier will be affixed to the upper right hand sleeve. On NCD’s the faith group identifier is worn 0.6 cm above the name tape, and 0.6 cm below the ship’s badge.

COOKS

  1. Cook occupational dress is black and grey cool vent panelled chef coat and black trousers with gray stripe ensemble worn in lieu of service dress on duty in kitchens and dining rooms. Normal service dress clothing items are replaced by:
    1. chef trousers: black with gray stripe alongside each leg (unisex);
    2. undershirt: RCN black, short-sleeved (unisex);
    3. cooks hat: black cloth pillbox (unisex) or black turban;
    4. food handlers’ apron: bib type, black and white stripe (unisex);
    5. cook chef coat: black and grey cool vent panels, for preparation, cooking and serving line duties in static dining facility;
    6. name/rank badge identification: Velcro six inches, black background with gold thread, lettering, rank, and environmental designation;
    7. with approval from the unit CO, a 4 inch by 4-inch black Velcro patch can be sewed on the right sleeve of the chef’s coat to allow a unit patch to be displayed to provide unit pride and team cohesion. The Velcro patch is to be center on the right sleeve between the top of the shoulder and the middle of the elbow. It is to be sewn on by a professional tailor shop and at the expense of the unit;
    8. metal name tags, metal rank insignia, ribbons and other insignia shall not be worn on cook occupational dress; and
    9. Ear piercings: Ear piercings, hoops and spacers are authorized but can be no more than 2.5 cm in length from the bottom of the ear. There is no limit to the number of ear-piercings acceptable. They must be held in place with a lockable backing and are to be procured by the member. Piercings are not permitted on the face. Gauges/spacers shall not exceed 2.5 cm in diameter. CAF military members must adhere to CAF dress regulations.
  2. Smock: general purpose, cotton duck, white can be worn for butchering or shipping and receiving duties only.
  3. bib apron: food handlers, cotton duck, olive drab 107, is worn over operational clothing in field kitchens.
  4. laboratory style white coat” for Kitchen Manager interacting duties in the kitchen vicinity.
  5. Rank insignia and name tags are not worn on the smock, general purpose, white for butchering, shipping, and receiving duties.
  6. Maternity dress: chef coat and trouser, black.
  7. Cook safety boots as per scale of issue D01-403.
  8. Kitchen Helpers, GS FOS 3, 4 & 5
  9. Kitchen Helpers occupational dress is as follows.

    1. cook chef coat: black and grey cool vent panels, for preparation, cooking and serving line duties in static dining facility;
    2. chef trousers: black with gray stripe alongside each leg (unisex);
    3. undershirt: short-sleeved, RCN black (unisex);
    4. hat: cloth pillbox, black (unisex)
    5. food handlers apron bib type: black and white stripe (unisex);
    6. name badge identification: (Mr. Mrs. Miss or just the name), Velcro six inches, black background with gold thread, lettering;
    7. with approval from the unit CO, a four inch by 4-inch black Velcro patch for Civilian Kitchen Helpers (GS FOS 3, 4 & 5) can be sewn on the right sleeve of the chef’s coat to allow a unit patch to be displayed to provide unit pride and team cohesion. The Velcro patch is to be center on the right sleeve between the top of the shoulder and the middle of the elbow. It is to be sewn on by a professional tailor shop and at the expense of the unit;
    8. maternity dress: chef coat and trouser, black;
    9. smock: general purpose, cotton duck, white can be worn for butchering or shipping and receiving duties only;
    10. shoes, IAW the Collective Agreement between the Treasury Board and the Public Service Alliance of Canada; and
    11. Ear piercings: Ear piercings, hoops and spacers are authorized but can be no more than 2.5 cm in length from the bottom of the ear. There is no limit to the number of ear-piercings acceptable. They must be held in place with a lockable backing and are to be procured by the member. Piercings are not permitted on the face. Gauges/spacers shall not exceed 2.5 cm in diameter. CAF military members must adhere to CAF dress regulations.
  10. Kitchen Helpers, GS FOS 2
    1. Shirt: black (unisex);
    2. Trousers: black (unisex);
    3. Sweater: black (unisex);
    4. name badge identification: (Mr. Mrs. Miss or just the name), Velcro six inches, black background with gold thread, lettering;
    5. Ear piercings: Ear piercings, hoops and spacers are authorized but can be no more than 2.5 cm in length from the bottom of the ear. There is no limit to the number of ear-piercings acceptable. They must be held in place with a lockable backing and are to be procured by the member. Piercings are not permitted on the face. Gauges/spacers shall not exceed 2.5 cm in diameter. CAF military members must adhere to CAF dress regulations.
    6. maternity dress: shirt and trouser, black (unisex); and
    7. shoes: IAW the Collective Agreement between the Treasury Board and the Public Service Alliance of Canada.
  11. Contracted Food Services dress standard for Cook and Kitchen Helpers “chef coat, pant, shirt, sweater, apron and hat” must be black.
  12. These above orders of dress are restricted to the workplace.

FIRE FIGHTERS

  1. The military firefighter occupational dress is comprised of a one piece CADPAT coverall manufactured from Nomex. The coveralls are designed for easy donning and are worn under bunker gear. The military firefighter occupational dress consists of the following:
    1. CADPAT firefighter coverall. Green Air Force nametapes with dark blue lettering are to be affixed to the right breast over the Velcro;
    2. Gold NDFS patch (NSN 8455-20-0094231) is to be worn on the right shoulder affixed to the Velcro for military firefighters that have completed the QL6 Supervisor course; the silver NDFS patch (NSN 8455-20-009-4232) are to be worn by those that have not yet completed the QL6 Supervisor course;
    3. The name tag, NDFS patch, and small Canadian flag are the only authorized patches to be placed on the coveralls;
    4. Air Force beret with CME cap badge is to be worn with coveralls;
    5. T-shirt, navy blue, short sleeve, crew neck cotton shirt is to be worn under the coveralls;
    6. CADPAT winter parkas may be worn over firefighter coveralls during winter dress periods;
    7. RCAF fleece may be worn over firefighter coveralls;
    8. Light Weight Thermal Headwear (LWTH) can be worn with coveralls and winter parkas. The woolen blue tuque is not to be worn with coveralls;
    9. CADPAT rain jacket may be worn with coveralls; and
    10. Black safety boots are to be worn with coveralls.
  2. The military fire fighter badge shall be sewn centred on the right arm, 7 cm down from the shoulder seam to the top of the badge.
  3. Fire fighter occupational dress:
    1. may be worn within the confines of a defence establishment and, where authorized, in base dining rooms during duty hours;
    2. may be worn when commuting between residence and place of duty in accordance with local instructions; and
    3. shall not be worn off-base, except in the performance of fire-fighting duties.

STEWARDS

  1. Stewards and mess supervisors are authorized to wear a burgundy jacket and vest with service dress or mess dress order 2B, in lieu of service dress jackets, while on occupational duty. Burgundy jackets are badged as for service dress jackets. Name tags are worn on the vest.
  2. Messes may provide stewards and other employees with mess “livery” clothing as optional items, at no expense to the public, for wear within the confines of the mess. Customary patterns include:
    1. mess dress style jacket in full dress or environmental colours, similar to band concert dress (see paragraph 47), with full/mess dress or service dress trousers/skirt;
    2. “mess livery” jacket in the unit’s customary colours and pattern (normally, mess dress or single-breasted blazer style); and
    3. evening dress ensembles or jacket, e.g., “tuxedo”.

BRASS-REED MUSICIANS

  1. Concert dress (See Figure 7-3) is a military band uniform in mess dress patterns, but in either approved full dress or environmental service dress colours. Female musicians may wear palazzo pants in lieu of skirts or trousers as required and as prescribed in branch/regimental dress policy. Concert dress is not worn during church and commemorative services where ceremonial orders of dress are required. Alternatively, full dress, including appropriate caps, may be worn during concert engagements, or, for those without full dress, mess dress No. 2B.
  2. Only medals or undress ribbons are worn with concert dress. Miniature medals shall not be worn with this order of dress.
  3. If the occasion calls for musicians to wear an undress version of full dress (e.g., full dress tunic with undress cap), the director of music or CWO bandmaster may wear an undress uniform (e.g., frock coat), except when conducting in the presence of Royalty and Vice-regal personages, on which occasions all shall dress appropriately in No.1 or No.1B orders of dress, or in concert dress (paragraph 46).

Figure 7-1 Maternity Dress

Figure 7-2 Military Police Brassards

Figure 7-3 Band Concert Dress

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