Warning and reflective clothing should be worn by people working on the road, especially in conditions of limited visibility, such as night, fog or rain. It should also be used by pedestrians and cyclists to increase their visibility and improve road safety. Proper use of high-visibility clothing is crucial to ensuring protection and minimizing the risk of accidents.

High-visibility and reflective clothing is an extremely important element in the field of employee safety and protection. Made of fluorescent and reflective materials, these special garments help increase the visibility of workers in hazardous areas such as roadside jobs, construction sites and areas with limited visibility. In this article, we will discuss the importance of high-visibility and reflective clothing in occupational health and safety and its properties.

Safety clothing has several key features that ensure the safety of employees. Here are some of the key features:

• Fluorescence – reflective workwear made of fluorescent materials is visible even in low light conditions. The colors of these materials, such as orange, yellow or red, stand out from their surroundings, making it easier for employees to be noticed.
• Reflectivity – Along with fluorescent properties, reflective jackets or vests contain reflective strips or elements that reflect light towards its source. This makes employees more visible to drivers, machine operators or others nearby.
• Standardization – Hi-Vis clothing complies with specific safety norms and standards, such as EN ISO 20471. These standards set requirements for color, reflectivity, durability and other factors to ensure effective protection.
• Durability – high visibility clothing is designed to be durable and resistant to weather conditions and intensive use. The materials used in the production of high-visibility clothing must be resistant to tearing and wear to ensure long-term protection for workers.
• Comfort – despite its protective properties, high-visibility clothing should be comfortable to wear. High-quality materials and appropriate design solutions ensure that the clothing is airy, flexible and does not restrict the employee’s movements.

One of the most important places where high-visibility clothing is used is in the area of ​​road and construction works. People working on repairing or building roads are exposed to a high risk of being hit by vehicles. Therefore, the wearing of high-visibility clothing is mandatory to make it easier for drivers to notice workers on the road and adjust their behavior.

In workplaces such as factories, warehouses and manufacturing facilities where machinery, trucks and other equipment are present, high visibility clothing is essential. Employees wearing this type of clothing are more visible to other employees, which helps to avoid accidents and collisions.

Emergency services such as fire, police and ambulance services often use high-visibility clothing. Thanks to the expressive colors and reflectors, people working in these professions are more visible to others in difficult conditions, which significantly increases their safety while performing their duties.

Hi-vis clothing is also extremely useful in various outdoor activities such as fishing, hunting, mountaineering and cycling. In those situations where there is a risk of collision with other participants or unpredictable weather conditions, wearing high-visibility clothing can save lives.

In order to increase the safety of children and pedestrians on the roads, many countries have introduced regulations that require the wearing of high-visibility clothing in certain situations. Particularly during times of day when visibility is limited, bright and reflective clothing can increase your chances of being seen and avoiding danger.

People practicing outdoor sports, such as running, cycling or walking, often use reflective clothing. Regardless of the time of day, wearing reflective clothing increases their visibility to other road users and minimizes the risk of collision.

Motorcyclists and cyclists are particularly vulnerable to accidents on the road. Wearing reflective clothing, both day and night, significantly increases their visibility, improving driving safety. Special vests, badges or reflective elements attached to a helmet or bicycle are extremely helpful in improving the visibility of these road users.

Many people travel on roads in conditions of limited visibility, for example during rain, fog or bad weather. In such situations, reflective clothing becomes extremely important as it allows other road users to see these people better, minimizing the risk of accidents.

Reflective clothing plays a key role in ensuring road safety. Its application covers a wide spectrum of people, including workers, children, athletes, motorcyclists, cyclists and everyone who travels on roads in conditions of limited visibility.

Source:https://www.bhp-center.com.pl/odziez-ostrzegawcza-bhp-who-and-when-should-ja-wear/

Supported by Norway through Norway Grants 2014-2021, in the frame of the Programme “Social Dialogue – Decent Work”.