The workplace is more dangerous than most people would like to think. Indeed, roughly 4,700 fatal work injuries happen in the US every year.
That’s why having access to high-quality personal protective equipment (PPE) is so crucial. It can literally be the difference between life and death!
Of the many different types of PPE available, high visibility clothes are some of the most important. Want some help choosing the right high visibility clothing for your construction workers? Here are 5 top tips that should make life a little easier.
1. Consult Local and State Requirements
There are detailed standards in play that determine the quality, materials, and style of high visibility clothing your workers need to wear. The specific type of high-visibility clothing they require is determined by the job they’re doing.
Make sure you know what they are and abide by them! The ANSI 107 High Visibility Standard is the best place to direct your search.
2. Conduct a Risk Assessment
Not all hi-vis clothing’s made equal. Thankfully, running a thorough risk assessment of the construction work in question should reveal the specific attributes you need to look for. A few factors to consider for construction site clothing include:
- The weather conditions in which people will be working
- Whether they’ll work around heavy and/or moving equipment
- The sight lines on the work site
- The time(s) of day in which they’ll work
- Whether they need to be identifiable as a person (rather than just visible)
3. Practicality
The whole point of high visibility clothing is to help someone stand out. However, the true marker of quality hi-vis is when it’s practical on the worksite too.
Make sure the products you buy are breathable, comfortable, and a joy to wear! They must be the correct size for each worker and capable of withstanding the realities of the role (e.g. resistant to abrasive surfaces).
4. Consider Seasonality
Those heavy hi-vis jackets you bought recently will be awesome in winter. But what about spring and summer?! Your poor workers will be sweating profusely as they go about their duties; hi-vis safety vests might be more appropriate.
The lesson? You need garments for every season (that still provide all the necessary protective qualities).
5. Involve the Workers
Our final suggestion is to ask for your workers’ opinions at every stage of the process. After all, they’re the people wearing the PPE!
Bringing samples to the worksite for them to try should ensure you purchase high visibility clothing that a) is fit for purpose and b) your team is happy to wear. They’ll tell you what’s good and what needs improvement, guaranteeing a positive outcome for everyone.
Choose the Best High Visibility Clothing Today
High visibility clothing is essential when you’re working somewhere like a construction site. Unfortunately, choosing the best garments for the task can be easier said than done! Know the struggle?
Well, we hope this article has helped. Keep these suggestions in mind and it shouldn’t be long before your workers are sporting high-quality, comfortable, and functional hi-vis. To read more blog posts like this one, check out the rest of our site today!
