3 Reasons Why Hi Vis Clothing is Important

As we all know, Hi Vis clothing refers to a type of special garment made of fluorescent material, reflective strips and contrast material that increase the wearer’s visibility when working in poor lighting conditions. In our previous article we have guided you through EN ISO 2471 – the international standard setting safety requirements and regulations for Hi Vis workwear – and the three Hi Vis Classes. Today, we will introduce you to the three key reasons why hi vis clothing is important.

1. It is required by law

The Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992 requires that the correct protective equipment is chosen for a particular task. This means that employers must run a worksite audit to check both lighting and weather conditions, as well as taking into account if the task is performed during the day or night. In some cases, workers may only need to wear a hi vis vest to be protected, in other cases – for example for maintenance workers – full body protection can be required.

2. It increases safety and visibility in all conditions

One of the main reasons why hi vis clothing is important is that the wearer will be visible and protected at all times. In fact, the fluorescent material improves visibility during daytime, while the reflective strips make working at night possible as they create a retro-reflective effect when they meet a light source. This is particularly important for workers in the airport, railway, construction, oil and gas industries, as they often work at the roadside. Workers wearing hi vis workwear can be seen from up to 300 meters away, so it makes a huge difference.

3. It is comfortable

The final reason why wearing hi vis clothing is important is that it is extremely comfortable! Hi Vis workwear is often made of breathable and lightweight fabric that allows for a great range of movement by the wearer. However, since it comes in many shapes and sizes, you must make sure that it fits well. Loose fitting can often be a cause of injuries as workers may trip up or result in impaired movement. For this reason, one-size fit clothing should always be avoided where possible.

Now that you know what the three main reasons are for why hi vis clothing is important, contact us or browse our website to find the best high visibility workwear!