Hi-vis workwear has become a common sight on the roads and around businesses. The government has slowly introduced rules to ensure all workers wear these garments when necessary. At first it can seem like a hassle. But, today it has become so commonplace that most people don’t think twice about it.
In fact, there are a number of benefits to wearing high-quality hi-vis workwear:
Visibility
The most obvious benefit is that you can be seen. Hi-vis clothing tends to be bright colors and reflective. That means you’ll be able to see it on a dark road, offering a great level of protection from anyone working outside.
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But, it also allows people to be seen in other situations, such as the factory. A supervisor should be easily able to identify staff positions by looking for hi-vis clothing. This doesn’t just ensure everyone is where they should be, doing their jobs. It also helps to make sure that everyone is accounted for. That increases the likelihood of someone being spotted early if an accident has occurred.
Safety
Wearing hi-vis means you’re more likely to be seen. That means the car driver, or fork lift operator is less likely to crash into you. Colleagues will also be aware of your position and be able to take steps to avoid you. This is surprisingly important in a busy commercial setting where everyone is busy getting their job done.
Direction
Traffic jams, accidents, and various other circumstances make it difficult for people to know which way they should be going or even what they should be doing.
However, when you see someone in hi-vis you regard them as having some authority, allowing them to direct you the best possible way to safety.
It doesn’t matter if that’s a firefighter, police person, or a paramedic. They’ll be able to direct you and you’ll respond, because they are like a beacon in the disaster.
Choosing The Right Hi-Vis
It’s important to note there are actually different classes of hi-vis workwear. The right choice for you and your workforce will depend on the situation you find yourself in.
Class 1 clothing is designed for low-risk situations. This is when there should be no problem seeing people and plenty of time to react.
Class 2 clothing takes it up a notch and is considered the right approach for medium risk sites. These are brighter and good for bad weather, higher speeds, and more vulnerability.
Class 3 is the highest level and is reserved for situations where light and visibility is severely reduced and high-speed scenarios. These types of hi-vis clothing tend to cover more of the body, helping to increase noticeability.
You can safely use a higher class than you need but you may find yourself penalized if you try to use a lower class than you should for the given situation.
It pays to evaluate the risks of a particular job or situation before you purchase the appropriate hi-vis workwear. It will help to ensure you get the right gear.
