Do you think you will look like a superstar and become the center of attention if you wear a shiny uniform to work? Do you worry that all the eyes of the workers, supervisors, and managers will be on you? To be honest, the time has arrived that we come into terms with the significance of proper hi-visibility uniforms in today’s market.
If you are working in an industry where your job demands you to work on heavy machinery, and if you are not wearing a hi-visibility jacket, then you are at risk. And if you are wearing that same old weary hi-visibility jacket that you have been wearing for a couple of years, there is a possibility that it won’t show much visibility anymore.
Undoubtedly, your worn-out hi-visibility jacket will seal the deal to your supervisors that you have worked hard and for longer hours, but it is still not doing its required job. When a person wears a hi-visibility uniform, he/she wears it for safety, and if your uniform is not providing you with adequate levels of protection, it is time to change.
But what do we actually know about hi-visibility uniforms?
To keep it short and precise, hi-visibility uniforms are a mixture of jackets, vests, shirts, coveralls, and overalls, that workers wear for safety purposes, and for others to see them in a specific work environment.
Typically, this type of workwear is best suited for workers and industries where heavy machinery is used frequently, where there is a large possibility of accidents and fatalities, and these uniforms basically create a visible shield so that others can see them move and function properly.
There may have been numerous instances when you were driving on a highway and came across a bunch of workers working and wearing hi-visibility uniforms. From a far corner, you noticed them and switched lanes so that they don’t face any casualty.
And this was not just you, all the drivers on the same road did the same, because these workers were working to improve the transportation conditions, and were risking their lives for the betterment of the people. This is where hi-visibility apparel is most handy.
Another interesting thing to understand that you will always find hi-visibility uniforms in bright colors so that they remain visible from all backgrounds. The retroreflective tape on the vest basically shines bright and shows where a person is working.
Some of the most common types of colors are bright orange, lime green, and red. All these colors have retroreflective tapes and combined materials that ensure safety and protection for the person wearing it.
In order to become a certified manufacturer and distributor of hi-visibility uniforms, the apparel and accessories should meet the standards set by ANSI. All the ANSI certified uniforms are a mixture of balance design and properties with a specific amount of visible material present on them.
Why should workers wear hi-visibility uniforms?
Why shouldn’t they? There are many organizations and institutions where the employees and staff are asked to either wear hi-visibility uniforms on the job site or choose them to eliminate the threats of possible accidents.
But there have been numerous organizations where the staff wears normal uniforms, and no safety protocols are followed. As per the guidelines suggested by OSHA, it is deemed necessary for all the workers working on highway roads, maintenance, and construction zones to wear hi-visibility uniforms like hi-visibility work shirts, jackets, vests, and even pants.
This regulation was not just restricted to the construction department, but in fact, other industries like warehouses, oil and gas industries, medical industries, and many more.
Different kinds and classes of hi-visibility uniforms
You will be surprised to know that there are actually five different types of classes in the hi-visibility uniforms. Each class has different levels of visibility and suggests how much of the garment should be seen.
For instance, a Class 4 garment will show more layers of visibility as compared to the garment of Class 3. This particular garment has materials that allow others to see the uniform properly. Even though all these classes are restricted towards different job sectors, it is up to the safety managers to decide which class is appropriate for their workers.