The safety of employees in high-risk and hazardous work environments is critical. One of the most important elements for ensuring worker safety in these environments is to wear high-visibility or Hi-Vis clothing. High-visibility clothing is apparel designed to make whoever wears it more noticeable in a variety of lighting conditions.
Most high-visibility apparel is made with fluorescent materials and includes reflective patches or strips to increase visibility. Those who wear high-visibility clothing will be more noticeable to others, helping reduce their risk of dangerous situations, especially in low lighting.
When a person’s visibility is increased, it helps reduce the risk of strikes, collisions, and other incidents that could’ve been avoided had they been seen. Since high-visibility gear is so important, there are specific requirements the apparel has to meet to ensure it adequately protects workers.
Key Features of Hi-Vis Clothing
There is a lot of high-visibility clothing on the market today to suit different types of workers in various conditions. These clothes provide increased visibility, but they also have several other characteristics that are carefully chosen to ensure the safety of whoever is wearing them.
Some of the key features of Hi-Visibility safety apparel are:
- Reflective Strips or Patches: Hi-Vis apparel is made from retroreflective materials that easily reflect light to its source. This feature is ideal for nighttime visibility since the reflective elements shine bright when illuminated by headlights and other sources.
- Fluorescent Colors: High-visibility safety clothing is always made with vibrant, fluorescent colors like yellow, green, or orange. These bright colors are highly visible in the daytime and in low-light conditions, too. They also absorb ultraviolet light and then re-emit it as visible light. This makes whoever is wearing the apparel stand out against a lot of backgrounds, increasing their safety.
- Durable Materials: Any high-visibility clothing is usually made with a highly durable material. It’s typically weather-resistant and can withstand harsh working conditions for a long period of time. This feature ensures that the visibility of the Hi-Vis apparel remains effective even after prolonged use and exposure to weather elements.
- Contrast: Many high-visibility clothing incorporate contrasting colors to fluorescent ones to enhance visibility. For example, yellow high-visibility jackets might have orange stripes. These reflective stripes create a distinct visual break from the bright yellow hue.
- Comfortable Design: Although their primary goal is to increase workers' visibility, Hi-Vis safety clothing is designed with comfort in mind. Since workers likely wear these for prolonged periods, ensuring they’re comfortable is essential to keeping them safe. To prevent discomfort, they’re usually made with durable, breathable fabrics, ergonomic designs, and adjustable closures.
- Compliance with Standards: All Hi-Vis clothing is made to meet safety standards like the ANSI/ISEA in the United States and EN ISO 20471 in Europe. These standards are in place to dictate the minimum amount of visible materials, the placement of any reflective elements, and the clothing’s overall design.
The Importance of Hi-Vis Clothing in Different Industries
Several industries rely heavily on high-visibility workwear to keep their employees safe. Not all industries have to use Hi-Vis material, but any industry where workers are exposed to hazards thanks to low visibility can benefit from this clothing. Here’s a look at what industries typically utilize high-visibility clothing:
- Road Work: Those working in construction work zones commonly wear Hi-Vis clothing because of the danger of moving vehicles hitting them. This type of clothing makes them more visible to drivers, especially at night or in poor weather conditions.
- Construction: Construction sites can be dangerous due to construction equipment and areas with obstructed views. Those operating the machines can easily spot employees wearing high-visibility clothing, reducing the risk of accidents.
- Airports: Airport workers, such as ground crew, maintenance staff, and baggage handlers, put on high-visibility wear to ensure they’re visible on the runway and tarmacs.
- Railways: Railway workers must be seen by train operators and other personnel. Those working near the railroad tracks and in the rail yard typically wear Hi-Vis clothing.
- Warehousing and Logistics: In warehouses with forklifts and other vehicles, workers must wear high-visibility clothes to stay visible and prevent accidents.
- Utilities: Workers on underground utility lines or power lines must wear High-Visibility clothing to remain visible to others.
- Emergency Services: While not a constant part of the uniform, police officers, paramedics, and firefighters often wear Hi-Vis clothing when responding to incidents, especially at night or on roadways.
- Mining: Underground and surface mining operations require miners to be visible to help prevent accidents or fatalities.
- Forestry and Logging: Many people working in foresting or logging are in dense wooded areas. Visibility is limited here, so wearing vibrant clothing will help them stand out against the natural backdrop.
- Event Management: Sometimes, those working in event management, particularly for outdoor events, wear bright clothing to ensure attendees and other personnel can see them.
Hi-Vis Clothing and Legal Requirements
Wearing Hi-Vis safety clothing isn’t just a matter of safety. It’s a legal requirement in many industries and countries. Different regulatory bodies worldwide have established standards and guidelines for using High-Visibility apparel in various sectors.
In the United States, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) sets safety standards for safety gear. While OSHA doesn’t have specific standards for Hi-Vis apparel, it does require that all workers exposed to traffic hazards wear warning garments.
The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and the International Safety Equipment Association (ISEA) have developed the ANSI/ISEA 107 standard for all Hi-Vis clothing. This standard divides these garments into three classes based on the amount of visible material and the risk level of a work environment:
- Class 1 is for low-risk environments with slower-moving traffic
- Class 2 is for moderate-risk environments with faster-moving traffic
- Class 3 is for high-risk environments with high-speed traffic or low-visibility conditions
It’s important to know that regulations and regulatory bodies will have different workplace safety standards.
Employers are responsible for assessing the risk posed to their workers and then imposing rules about wearing Hi-Vis apparel. By adhering to the legal requirements, employers can avoid penalties and show commitment to keeping their employees safe.
Different Types of Hi-Vis Clothing
Hi-Vis safety apparel comes in various styles to protect workers in different environments and weather conditions. Knowing the different types will help employers understand which is most suitable for their employees and industry:
- High-Visibility Jackets: These are ideal for cold and rainy environments. They provide the visibility needed while keeping workers comfortable.
- High Visibility Vests: These are the most commonly worn Hi-Vis clothes because they provide safety but are easy to slip on and off when high visibility isn’t always necessary. It’s great for temporary workers and worksite visitors.
- High Visibility Shirts: Both long and short-sleeve shirts are common in many industries. Hi-Vis T-shirts are ideal for workers in the summer and warmer weather and provide more coverage than vests. Hi-Vis long sleeves are great for colder months and protect the skin from the sun. Construction workers benefit greatly from these clothes.
- High-Visibility Pants or Overalls: These are less common, but they provide full-body visibility and come in fluorescent orange, yellow, and green. They’re ideal for workers who bend and crouch frequently.
Benefits of Wearing Hi-Vis Clothing
There are individual safety and overall workplace efficiency benefits of wearing Hi-Vis work clothes:
- Increased visibility helps reduce the risk of accidents
- Making workers more visible helps prevent collisions
- Hi-Vis garments make communication easier since it’s easier to spot the people you need to speak with
- In an emergency, this safety apparel will help first responders identify injured workers easier
- Wearing Hi-Vis safety apparel can make workers feel safer and more confident doing their jobs
- Companies will look far more professional and show that they care about their employees when implementing Hi-Vis safety apparel rules.
The Bottom Line
Hi-Vis safety clothing is the best way to keep workers safe in unsafe working conditions. It helps protect their lives by making them more visible to other employees and drivers on the road.
From its durable materials to bright, reflective strips and fluorescent hues, workers will have enhanced visibility while on the job. This increases work productivity and gives workers a sense of safety while reducing their risk of collisions or injury. These pieces are vital to occupational health, whether it’s Hi-Vis vests for quick site visits or shirts for all-day wear.
Purchasing and requiring workers to wear Hi-Vis pieces will show a company’s commitment to safety and help workers feel like they’re not putting themselves at additional risk when they show up for work.