The Importance of Hi-Vis in the Workplace Stitch & Print

High visibility clothing, or hi vis clothing for short, is clothing that is highly visible as the name suggests. Typically, clothing is fluorescent in colour with retroreflective strips or panels that reflect light making the person wearing the hi vis stand out.

This ability to make wearers visible both during the day and at night is why high visibility clothes are designated as vital personal protection equipment, or PPE, and are used to keep workers safe in a range of industries. A large number of people working in the UK will be required by their job to wear hi vis clothing whilst at work where being seen is essential for staying safe in high risk situations.

There are all sorts of scenarios where being visible is important, from working in the transportation sector to manufacturing, looking after children outdoors or working in public places. Wearing hi vis PPE helps to prevent accidents, lessens risk of injury and ensures employers meet British safety standards.

We’ve narrowed down the most important reasons for wearing hi vis whilst at work. Read on to find out why high visibility clothing is essential for so many people.

1. Legal Requirements

The Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations of 1992 stipulates that there are a range of factors that need to be considered when selecting the right hi vis clothing for use as PPE.

High visibility clothing has three different classification types and ensuring the right class of hi vis clothing is worn for the right workplace scenario is a legal requirement for employers. See our blog, what is hi vis, for more information on these classifications and how to meet them.

Ensuring compliance with safety standards is vital for keeping employees safe at work and is not something that should be ignored. It is the responsibility of the employer to provide adequate hi vis, whether that is a hi vis jacket and hi vis trousers or a hi vis vest, for the requisite level of risk. It is the responsibility of the employee that they wear the PPE provided to them.

2. Provides Protection

Hi vis workwear provides protection to the wearer in two ways. First of all, and most importantly, it makes them visible. If you are working in an industry such as construction or as airport ground crew for example, being seen is essential to staying safe whilst working. If there is a mixture of vehicles and pedestrians in any one place, then everyone needs to be aware where others are working. Wearing reflective clothing that makes you stand out will mean you are spotted quickly and will help to avoid any potential accidents.

The second form of protection that high vis clothing provides is protection against the elements. Hi vis is most commonly worn outdoors and in the UK this means it needs to offer some protection against the Great British elements.

A hi vis waterproof jacket will keep you dry and warm whilst working and make you highly visible even in the low visibility of a downpour. For those working in draughty conditions that are more sheltered such as on a construction site or in a manufacturing warehouse, a hi vis fleece will keep you warm and visible at the same time.

Do not underestimate the importance of the protection that hi vis PPE provides.

3. Easily Recognisable

There are situations where hi vis means the difference between staying safe or potentially causing accidents. Scenarios where there are workers alongside members of the public are an example of this. Specifically, those working in public services such as refuse collection or roadworks could potentially be at risk if not easily recognisable.

Wearing hi vis clothing makes people distinguishable from civilians and thus easily recognisable as people who should be where they ordinarily wouldn’t. School teachers assisting young children outside of school, lollipop wardens helping people cross roads, people cutting grass verges along roadsides are all examples of where hi vis workwear such as a hi vis vests will make individuals more easily recognisable and ensure the public are aware of them.

4. Promotes Responsibility

This might not be an obvious reason for wearing hi vis, but we would argue that the simple task of putting on a uniform of high visibility clothing reiterates the importance of the job you are about to do. The need for PPE and the brightness of the attire do not fail to grab attention, even by the person wearing it.

By staying aware of the clothing you’re wearing, you are tuned in to the risks associated with your job and therefore more likely to show caution, be attentive and remain alert whilst wearing it. This is crucial for staying safe in high risk environments, where momentary lapses in judgement could be fatal otherwise.

Stitch and Print are industry leaders who provide high quality high vis clothing in a wide range of styles to suit all legal requirements, safety standards and workplace needs. In fact, our comprehensive collection of hi vis workwear is customisable, ensuring that you can brand your employees clothing for a professional garment that performs as it should whilst looking good.

What is the Importance of Hi-Vis in the Workplace?

1. Legal Requirements

2. Provides Protection

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