Issuing alarm signal to operatives

1. An apparatus for use in a multi-operative activity, during which there is a risk of one or more of said operatives being exposed to an environmental hazard, the apparatus comprising:

a plurality of items of clothing, wherein each said item of clothing is worn by a respective operative and

a plurality of detectors for detecting an environmental hazard;

each detector configured to be detachably attached to one of said items of clothing, wherein each item of clothing comprises:

a control unit;

permanently attached light emitting devices configured to emit light in a plurality of colors:

a transmitter connected to the control unit;

a receiver connected to the control unit;

a loom of conductors within said item of clothing connecting the control unit to the light emitting devices and to the detachably attached detector; wherein the control unit is configured to:

receive a first warning signal from the detachably attached detector and relay said first warning signal in response to detecting said environmental hazard;

illuminate one or more of the light emitting devices in a first predetermined color in response to receiving the first warning signal;

receive a remote second warning signal from a remote source; and

illuminate one or more of the light emitting devices in a second predetermined color different from the first predetermined color in response to receiving the second warning signal.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein each said item of clothing includes a processing device and a battery for supplying electrical energy to said processing device, said detector, said first warning device and said second warning device via the loom of conductors.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein a substantial proportion of said loom of conductors is restrained within seams forming part of the item of clothing.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein each item of clothing is a jacket.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said environmental hazard non-exclusively includes: chemical hazards, including poisonous gases and vapours; biological hazards; and physical hazards including radiant heat, convected heat, ionizing and non-ionizing radiation.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 , including a third warning device configured to emit an audible warning in response to a condition selected from options of: the generation of said first warning; the generation of said second warning; and the generation of either said first warning or said second warning.

7. A method of warning operatives when working on a multi-operative activity of the presence of an environmental hazard, comprising the steps of:

providing each operative with an item of clothing having a detachable detector for detecting an environmental hazard;

providing a control unit within said item of clothing;

providing a loom of conductors restrained within said item of clothing;

providing light emitting devices permanently attached to said item of clothing and connecting the light emitting devices with the control unit via said loom of conductors;

providing a transmitter and a receiver attached to the control unit;

providing a base station adapted for receiving first warning signals and transmitting second warning signals;

wherein the control unit is configured to perform the steps of:

receiving the first warning signal from the detachable detector;

issuing a first warning in response to detecting said environmental hazard;

illuminating at least one of said light emitting devices in a first predetermined color responsive to said first warning;

transmitting the first warning signal;

receiving a remote second warning signal from a remote source;

issuing a second warning in response to the reception of the second warning signal; and

illuminating at least one other of said light emitting devices in a second predetermined color different from the first predetermined color responsive to said second warning.

8. The method of claim 7 , including the step of activating an audible alarm in response to the issuing of said first warning.