The importance of high visibility clothing is evident across many different industries and it has plenty of domestic uses too. According to the Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations, introduced in 1992, employers must now make sure that their staff are wearing the right clothing for the tasks they are undertaking. Even if you don’t work in industry, there are lots of situations where high visibility clothing is required.
Industrial Uses
High visibility clothing should be provided free of charge for those working under the relevant industrial conditions. The colour of high visibility clothing depends on artificial and ambient lighting in the workplace and is also effected by weather conditions including snow and fog. If you are working where moving vehicles are reversing, for example as a road maintenance worker, then you may require full body HV (high visibility) clothing. If the worksite is particularly dark, this will also affect the amount of HV gear that needs to be worn. Those employed in industries where there is moving machinery present must choose items that fit them snugly, in case a loose tabard gets caught in the equipment.
Employees should report any damage to their high visibility clothing to their management immediately. Damaged clothing will not afford the proper protection.
In the Office
You might think that as someone working in a white-collar office job, you won’t need to consider high visibility clothing. However, this is not the case. During fire drills or site maintenance, it is very important that HV clothing is worn.
Personal Use
High visibility clothing is not just required at work. Cyclists and motorcyclists should always wear HV items to sure that they are seen by motorists. The number of road accidents concerning bicycles and motorbikes coming into contact with automobiles could be drastically reduced if cyclists and motorcyclists were more visible to those driving. If you go running early in the morning or late at night, it can be a good idea to wear a HV vest so that drivers are more easily able to see you. Children and teenagers walking home in the dark should also be kitted out with high visibility gear. If your children are not keen on wearing a full HV tabard, you can get fluorescent armbands and stickers to attach to their coats and bags.
Be seen and be safe in high visibility clothing. It can be purchased inexpensively online from retailers like Brookes.
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