On the Need for Effective for Effective Stab Protection in Correctional Facilities
Correctional officers (COs) face many dangers in their line of work, and with inmate attacks on personnel steadily growing year over year, the threat of being stabbed remains significant. Proper personal protective equipment is vital to navigating such risks; stab testing is essential in evaluating whether body armour is up to the task and meets relevant safety standards.
At Biokinetics, we’re proud to bring over five decades of experience to our clients, offering testing for both penetrative (stab) risks, as well as mitigating blunt force trauma in instances where an improvised weapon fails to make direct contact. We’re proud to help drive safety standards forward, backed by real data results you can trust when it matters most. Learn more below.
What is Stab Testing and Why Is It Crucial for Correctional Officers?
The goal of stab testing is to assess how well protective gear resists penetration from sharp objects, such as knives, shanks, or other improvised weapons. Unlike ballistics testing, which focuses on high-velocity threats, stab testing evaluates the ability of gear to withstand low-velocity, close-range, human-to-human attacks typical in correctional facilities. It is a surprise to many people that ballistic body armour alone does not fully protect against stab threats.
The testing process involves using a machined stab threat, such as a double or single edged blade or spike, to impact protective gear to measure penetration resistance and depth of penetration. These data points are crucial to determining how body armour will protect against actual threats in the field, and how severe injuries may be depending on what area of the stab vest is hit etc.
How Stab Testing Equipment Ensures Officer Safety
The foundation of effective stab-resistant gear is the quality of materials used and their ability to withstand force. Testing done by an experienced team like Biokinetics must adequately asses various stabbing techniques and factors to determine:
- Penetration resistance: How effectively the material prevents a sharp object from piercing through to the skin and deeper tissues where blood vessels or organs may be.
- Energy dissipation: How the material absorbs and disperses impact energy, minimizing injury severity.
- Durability over time: The material’s ability to withstand repeated use and maintain its protective properties.
These tests provide valuable insights that help assess the strength, flexibility, and durability of materials to help ensure that COs have the best protection possible
Meeting Safety Standards with Rigorous Stab Testing
Correctional facilities are dangerous environments where weapon-based assaults are all too common. To protect officers, stab-resistant gear must meet all relevant industry standards. At Biokinetics, our testing adheres to international safety regulations, such as NIJ (National Institute of Justice) standards for stab-resistant vests, as well as ISO and European EN standards for protective clothing ensuring that the protective equipment exceeds the required thresholds for performance and durability.
By conducting precise and repeatable tests (including methods that can be adapted to your specific purposes), our team is proud to help ensure that the protective gear officers wear can withstand real-world threats, offering maximum protection and peace of mind. We partner with manufacturers and regulators alike to help drive a better, safer, path forward.
Setting the Standard for Officer Protection
Correctional officers face serious risks with each shift; the gear they wear should reflect the high stakes of their profession. Through stab testing, Biokinetics helps ensure that vests and other protective equipment meet the highest standards, offering correctional officers the protection they deserve.
Don’t leave safety to chance.
Contact Biokinetics today to learn more about our stab testing services!
