| A safety vest is an article of personal protective | | | | a road crew, the reasons are probably obvious. |
| equipment classed as high visibility clothing. These | | | | However, what if this particular person works |
| vests are typically seen in very bright colors such | | | | constructing buildings far off the road, what would |
| as neon green, yellow or orange. They usually | | | | be the benefit? On a construction site, there is a |
| have added retro reflective stripes for increased | | | | lot going on. There are workers coming and going |
| visibility. The purpose of this type of personal | | | | all day long with materials, power tools and heavy |
| protective equipment (or PPE) is so that the | | | | equipment. I think you can see where this is going. |
| wearer is easily seen to help avoid numerous | | | | If a worker is operating a piece of heavy |
| types of accidents. | | | | machinery and goes to swing that machine to the |
| So many people could benefit from using a safety | | | | left, he will check the area first for other workers. |
| vest. Bicyclists who ride alongside the road, as | | | | If there is a worker wearing his safety vest, he is |
| opposed to on a designated cycling path, can | | | | immediately visible. If that same worker were |
| benefit by wearing this garment both day and | | | | standing there in plain clothes, the chances are |
| night. People who enjoy walking in areas where | | | | much higher that the machine operator would not |
| there may be a significant amount of traffic | | | | notice him. There could be some serious damage |
| would do well to wear one also. As a vehicle is | | | | done if a person were to be struck by |
| traveling down the road, the driver must pay | | | | construction equipment. |
| attention to many different things. He must watch | | | | Hunters are another group that should use the |
| his speed, his position on the road, the | | | | safety vest. That statement is almost |
| movements of other drivers, the possibility of an | | | | self-explanatory. If a person is in the woods, |
| animal darting into his path and most importantly, | | | | where visibility is already skewed by nature, and |
| pedestrians. Whether on foot or on cycle, that | | | | the person is waiting to see movement prior to |
| pedestrian would be critically injured or even killed | | | | firing his weapon, it would be nice to know |
| if hit by a car. Wearing high visibility clothing, such | | | | exactly what he is firing at. A deer certainly will |
| as that with reflective stripes, will help the | | | | not be wearing a blazing orange jacket. Another |
| pedestrian stand out. The human eye is drawn | | | | hunter, however, will be. That is one of the firsts |
| toward bright objects, so the driver is going to | | | | things you are taught in a course on keeping |
| process your presence much quicker than if you | | | | yourself safe while hunting. Be sure to follow that |
| were riding or walking in clothing that blends into | | | | advice. |
| your surroundings. | | | | You know the old saying about it being all fun and |
| A construction worker is often seen wearing a | | | | games until someone gets hurt. Do yourself a |
| safety vest. Why is this? If the worker is part of | | | | favor, keep it fun. Wear your safety vest! |