High visibility clothing, or hi vis clothing, is special clothing that ensures the wearer is highly visible when wearing it. In settings where there is low light, or on busy work sites, being easily spotted is important for being seen and staying safe. Whether you are wearing a hi vis jacket or a hi vis vest, the fluorescent colour and highly reflective strips, required by industry standards on high visibility clothing, make individuals stand out against most backgrounds.
As a vital piece of personal protective equipment, or PPE, for workers across many industries being aware of the safety standards of hi vis clothing is essential for many employers.
What are hi vis jackets made from?
The materials used to make hi vis jackets, hi vis vests and other hi vis clothing are similar to most clothing and mainly consist of nylon, polyester and cotton. Synthetic fibres such as nylon and polyester have insulative properties which make hi vis hoodies, jackets and sweatshirts cosy and warm when worn outdoors or in draughty spaces.
The textiles used undergo a special dying process to make them fluorescent and comply with safety regulations. Polyester is the main fabric used for hi vis apparel as it holds fluorescent dye well, doesn’t pill or cause bobbles and has strong fibres. It also wicks away moisture ensuring that hi vis workwear is quick drying, which is particularly useful when working outdoors or in warmer temperatures.
The really unique part of high visibility clothing is the retroreflective strips used to make hi vis clothes compliant with ISO standards. International Organizational Standards for high visibility clothing require that for hi vis articles to be PPE compliant in the UK they must have a certain amount of coverage of reflective and fluorescent material. (See our blog on ‘what is hi vis’ for more information on this.)
