| Does your business use high visibility clothing? Are | | | | yellow as this most often contrasts effectively |
| you an employer who provides hi viz clothing to | | | | against the surrounding environment. However, |
| your workers, contractors or visitors? Or are you | | | | there may be instances where yellow is less |
| an employee who is required to wear high visibility | | | | effective, and may almost act as a form of |
| clothing when on site? | | | | camouflage. Regulations governing hi viz clothing |
| If so, are you aware of the legal requirements | | | | state that the colour should be in contrast to the |
| governing high visibility clothing, the ways in which | | | | surrounding environment, and this may mean that |
| you can verify that hi viz clothing is suitable and | | | | the clothing should either be orange or green. |
| fit for purpose, and what to look for in hi visibility | | | | If unsure, compare the different clothing choices |
| clothing that has been used, soiled, washed or | | | | in the environment, under the conditions and |
| simply worn for extended periods of time? | | | | lighting normally expected. However, be aware |
| It's a fact that many employers can become | | | | that lighting, the weather and the environment |
| oblivious to the problems which may be | | | | can all effect the level of contrast, and if in any |
| encountered when using hi viz clothing, and if such | | | | doubt make sure that high visibility clothing is |
| clothing has been provided to workers or visitors | | | | available which provides as great a contrast of |
| for use on site and it does not comply with | | | | colour as possible. |
| recommendations, regulations or the law, then not | | | | The next point to be aware of is that there are |
| only are you running the very real risk of placing | | | | three classes of hi viz clothing, simply referred to |
| people in danger, but if an accident occurs you will | | | | as class 1, 2 and 3. The lowest form of protection |
| be directly responsible in the eyes of the law. | | | | is class 1, which includes such items as tabards. |
| Whether you are an employer who is under a | | | | Class 2 provides slightly more visibility and includes |
| legal obligation to provide hi viz clothing free of | | | | waistcoats and jackets, with class 3 providing full |
| charge to any and all workers involved on site, or | | | | body cover and the very highest level of visibility. |
| whether you are an employee who has been | | | | It is important to make sure that the appropriate |
| provided with high visibility clothing to wear, it is | | | | class of high visibility clothing is provided to the |
| imperative that you are aware of the different | | | | wearer. If managing a car park in summer class 1 |
| ways in which such clothing should be checked to | | | | or 2 is likely to be all that's needed, but if working |
| make sure that it is entirely suited to the job. | | | | on the motorway in foggy, dark conditions class 3 |
| If it isn't, then people are likely to be placed in | | | | will be essential. |
| direct danger, and worse than this, they may be | | | | However, there are times when the bulk of class |
| relying on the hi viz clothing under a false sense | | | | 3 clothing can prove to be dangerous, either |
| of security and protection when in fact it is doing | | | | because it is too baggy, could get caught in |
| relatively to protect the wearer. | | | | machinery, restricts movement or limits vision. |
| In some cases failing to verify the high visibility | | | | Judgement should be made according to the |
| clothing is completely suitable can result in the | | | | specific circumstances in such cases, and there |
| clothing itself representing a direct risk, and there | | | | may be cause to lower the class worn to lower |
| have been instances where such clothing has been | | | | the potential risk. |
| responsible for an accident occurring which would | | | | All hi viz clothing, regardless of class, will eventually |
| not have occurred had the wearer either been | | | | be subject to wear and tear, including UV |
| provided with more appropriate hi viz clothing, or | | | | damage, damage due to washing, wearing, folding |
| indeed hadn't been wearing any safety clothing at | | | | and working with machinery. Check regularly for |
| all. | | | | missing retroreflective strips, or reduced |
| The first thing to be aware of, and perhaps one | | | | reflectivity or visibility, otherwise the high visibility |
| of the more obvious aspects of safety clothing is | | | | clothing may in fact be providing much less |
| the colour. Most high visibility clothing is fluorescent | | | | protection than would be assumed. |