What do the different colours mean? And, what hi-vis should you be wearing?
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Hi-Vis is hardly the height of fashion. Although'it has probably been used in an obscure fashion line at some point.
You may be on a construction site, attending a football match or visiting a festival. Hi-Vis is an integral part of society and can be seen in varying formats and styles.
So, what do the different colours mean? And, what hi-vis should you be wearing?
The purpose of hi-vis is to make you stand out from your surroundings.
Whilst the most common colour of hi-vis is fluorescent yellow, it isn't always the best choice.
Hi-vis uses reflective bands to make you more noticeable in low-level light and headlights.
When you're more noticeable an accident is less likely to occur. The sooner a driver sees a person the more time they have to react.
These are the type of hi-vis vests that you may see at a festival or a concert. They can be used to denote a person's role such as a steward or first aider.
Coloured hi-vis doesn't make you to stand out from your surroundings enough to conform to standard EN. They aren't appropriate for hazard prevention.
Some brands choose colourful hi-vis for their workforce, as the colours align with their uniform. Yet those who wear these garments aren't involved in hazardous roles.
When looking at Blackrock's hi-vis sleeveless vests there are six colours available.
Both the orange and yellow vests conform to standard EN Class 2. The green, navy, pink and red vests do not.
Orange hi-vis is used by rail workers.
Why?
Very often, rail work is done in green environments. Fluorescent orange is far more visible than yellow in this scenario. Orange won't blend in.
Yellow is used more indoors as it is a brighter colour and can be seen better in low-level light.
A two-tone hi-vis uses two separate colours. A fluorescent colour and another colour (fluorescent or not).
If some fluorescent material is replaced with non-fluorescent material, the garment may be put into a different hi-vis category (see below).
The main purpose of two-tone hi-vis is to differentiate between staff roles or locations. For example, someone working in warehouses A and B would wear a different colour hi-vis.
That said some two-tone garments do have practical benefits. Darker panelling on the lower half of the garment can help to protect against dirt.
Within the Blackrock range, there is a good example of how hi-vis colouring can affect its class.
Four two-tone high vis waistcoats conform to at EN Class 2. The others, as they contain less fluorescent material, conform to EN Class 1.
In contrast, the hi-vis two-tone bomber and coat conform to EN Class 3 ' the highest standard. This is due to the amount of fluorescent fabric that's visible.
Not to be confused with the English class system.
Hi-vis is divided up into different classes depending on two things: the amount of fluorescent material and reflective tape on show.
You may have noticed that smaller sizes of hi-vis are unusually long.
This is done to increase the quantity of fluorescent fabric. And enable the garment to conform to the same standard as an extra-large in the same range.
There are three classes of hi-vis: Class 1, 2 & 3. The amount of fluorescent material and reflective tape determines what class the hi-vis falls into.
Hi-vis Class 1: Lowest Visibility Level
Two-tone hi-vis vests and hi-vis trousers
Hi-vis Class 2: High Visibility Level
Sleeveless Hi-Vis vests
Hi-vis Class 3: Highest Visibility Level
Hi-Vis Coats & Bombers and long sleeve hi-vis vests & garments
There are two ways to achieve class 3 visibility:
The hi-vis you wear should be in line with the risks found in the risk assessment.
If you are working in a role that requires you to wear a hi-vis, then your employer must provide you with the appropriate clothing.
If you're in charge of choosing hi-vis for yourself or your employees, consider this:
If there is a high risk you'll be hit by a moving vehicle, class 3 hi-vis should be worn, providing the maximum amount of visibility. In this scenario, you may require extra hi-vis for full coverage on your legs.
If there is a medium risk you will be hit by a moving vehicle, at least class 2 hi-vis should be worn.
Class 1 hi-vis is usually reserved for roadside assistance personnel, volunteers, and delivery drivers where the risks are lower.
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If you're outdoors, in a wooded area, an orange garment is required. Yellow hi-vis will blend in with the surrounding environment.
Is the lighting in your workplace gloomy? If so, orange hi-vis won't be as visible.
In short, when choosing hi-vis garments, ensure that the level of risk has been considered, as has the environment where the work is done.
Differentiating between the colours of hi-vis can help to see different job roles, but extra colours may reduce the garments class.
Hi-vis isn't a fashion item. And yet it does have the same purpose ' to make you stand out.
Get in contact with us so we can help you stand out.
In the realm of occupational safety, high-visibility (Hi-Vis) clothing plays a crucial role in enhancing both safety and efficiency in the workplace. The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) has established the EN ISO standard for high-visibility clothing. This standard is designed to enhance the safety of workers in various high-risk environments by setting regulations for high-visibility workwear. This article introduces EN ISO , exploring how it regulates the design, utilization, and compliance of high-visibility clothing across various industries.
ISO is a globally recognized standard developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) that regulates the requirements for high-visibility clothing. First introduced in , the standard details the specifications for the base fabrics, colors, and reflective materials that constitute high-visibility clothing. The standard undergoes review every 5 years, with the latest revision in . It is expected to be replaced by ISO/AWI , currently under development.
The primary objective of ISO is to ensure that workers wearing high-visibility clothing remain visible in a variety of lighting conditions, thereby significantly reducing the likelihood of accidents in hazardous settings. It mandates the use of vibrant fluorescent colors like yellow, orange, and red'colors that are highly perceptible during daylight. Furthermore, these garments are equipped with retroreflective materials, which play a critical role in enhancing visibility under low-light conditions by reflecting light back towards its source.
ISO has significantly influenced global safety standards by standardizing safety practices across various industries worldwide. When this standard is adopted by the European Union, it becomes EN ISO , reflecting its integration into European safety regulations. This has facilitated easier compliance for multinational operations and reinforced the importance of uniform safety measures. Its ongoing revisions ensure the standard remains relevant, accommodating new safety technologies and adapting to evolving workplace conditions.
EN ISO classifies high-visibility clothing into three distinct classes, designed to address the specific visibility needs and risks associated with different work environments.
Visibility Level: Class 1 offers the basic level of visibility and is suitable for settings where traffic speeds do not exceed 30 km/h (approx. 19 mph). This level is typically adequate for workers who are well-separated from traffic or are in controlled environments.
Common Uses: Ideal for individuals in warehousing, maintenance roles off the main roads, or event management.
Visibility Level: This class provides a medium level of visibility, necessary for work areas where traffic speeds are above 30 km/h but generally below 60 km/h (approx. 37 mph). Class 2 garments offer enhanced safety for workers in proximity to traffic or in dimmer lighting conditions.
Common Uses: Essential for construction workers, road maintenance crews, and crossing guards, where higher visibility is imperative due to close interaction with vehicle traffic and machinery operation.
Visibility Level: Class 2 provides the highest level of visibility. This class is crucial for workers near or within areas where traffic exceeds 60 km/h (approx. 37mph) or where there are complex background patterns that may obscure visibility.
Common Uses: Critical for highway maintenance personnel, emergency responders, and tow truck operators, especially in high-speed zones and adverse weather conditions.
The differentiation between the classes primarily lies in the amount of fluorescent material and retroreflective material used. Class 3, for instance, demands extensive coverage with full sleeves and trousers to maintain visibility from every angle, while Class 1 only requires retroreflective bands on the torso and limbs. Read the requirements section for details.
The following are the essential specifications laid out by EN ISO to enhance worker safety through visibility.
Fluorescent Fabric and Colors: The standard mandates that high-visibility clothing be crafted from materials that stand out in bright, fluorescent colors such as yellow, orange, and red. These colors create contrast against various natural and industrial backgrounds during daylight hours, ensuring that workers are clearly visible from a distance.
Retroreflective Materials: A critical requirement is the inclusion of retroreflective materials. These materials are typically made using tiny glass beads and engineered to reflect light back towards its source, providing visibility in low-light conditions or at night.
Background and Retroreflective Materials Requirements Classifications Vehicle Speed (km/h) Fluorescent Material (m²) Retroreflective Material (m²) Class 1 ' 30 ' 0.14 ' 0.10 Class 2 ' 60 ' 0.50 ' 0.13 Class 3 > 60 ' 0.80 ' 0.20Placement and Size of Materials: EN ISO specifies the minimum required areas and width for both retroreflective and fluorescent materials to ensure multi-directional visibility. The placement of these materials, such as around the torso, arms, and legs, maximizes the wearer's visibility from different angles.
Durability and Performance: The materials used must undergo extensive testing for color fastness, tensile strength, and wear resistance. This ensures that the garments maintain their high-visibility properties throughout their lifecycle, enduring tough work conditions without significant degradation.
Getting EN ISO certification for high-visibility clothing is a thorough process, carefully designed to confirm that every garment meets the strict requirements crucial for ensuring safety in high-risk environments.
Testing of Materials: The test of the base fluorescent material involves evaluating the brightness and luminance of fabrics, along with assessing the reflective efficiency of retroreflective tapes after simulated wear conditions. These materials must meet established criteria for durability and visibility maintenance, even after repeated use.
Garment Design Requirements: EN ISO sets forth minimum coverage areas for reflective and fluorescent materials to ensure adequate visibility from all viewing angles. The precise placement of these materials is evaluated thoroughly to ensure optimal visibility under different lighting conditions. Following this process, the garment is precisely classified into one of the three designated classes based on its level of visibility.
Compliance and Labeling: After testing and classification, garments are appropriately labeled with their compliance class and a CE mark, guiding end-users in selecting the correct class based on the specific hazards of their work environment.
Continuous Compliance: Given the safety-critical nature of these garments, a continuous evaluation process is necessary. Garments are required to be re-certified every five years to accommodate changes in materials, design, or production processes, ensuring ongoing compliance with safety standards.
In hazardous workplaces, maintaining the effectiveness and compliance of high-visibility clothing according to EN ISO standards is crucial for protecting workers in high-risk environments.
Regular Inspection and Maintenance: It is essential for workers and employers to conduct regular inspections of high-visibility garments for signs of wear and tear, such as faded colors, damaged reflective strips, or dirt that might obscure visibility. Maintaining these garments in top condition preserves their high-visibility properties and ensures ongoing compliance with EN ISO .
Understanding Garment Classes: Works and employers must ensure that they are equipped with the appropriate class of high-visibility garments tailored to specific working conditions as stipulated by EN ISO .
Proper Cleaning Practices: Following the manufacturer's guidelines for washing and drying high-visibility clothing helps prevent damage to reflective materials. Workers and employers should avoid the use of harsh chemicals that could degrade the fabric.
Educate and Train: Training on the significance of wearing high-visibility clothing correctly and maintaining its condition is crucial. Workers should be knowledgeable about how to wear and adjust their garments to maximize visibility and recognize when a garment needs to be replaced due to wear and tear or diminished effectiveness.
Monitor and Replace: High-visibility garments are subject to wear and often have a finite lifespan, especially when subjected to frequent washing and UV exposure. Workers and employers should establish routines to monitor the condition of these garments and replace them when they no longer conform to EN ISO standards.
Custom Branding: For companies utilizing branded high-visibility clothing, it's imperative to ensure that logos and other markings don't obscure the reflective and fluorescent materials. Carefully placing the logo can ensure compliance while still effectively promoting the brand.
EN ISO has established a global benchmark for workplace safety. Setting stringent design, material, and performance requirements, it ensures that workers are visible under various conditions, thereby mitigating the risk of accidents. As workplace dynamics evolve, EN ISO continues to adapt, underscoring the enduring importance of visibility in maintaining worker safety. Workers, employers, and safety professionals must remain vigilant and proactive in upholding these standards for a safe workplace.
EN ISO is an international standard that specifies requirements for high-visibility clothing designed to make the wearer more visible in various light conditions. It focuses on ensuring that workers in high-risk environments, such as those near traffic or operating machinery, are seen clearly to prevent accidents.
EN ISO categorizes high-visibility clothing into three classes based on the level of risk in the working environment:
High-visibility clothing under EN ISO must meet specific requirements for the base fabric color, retroreflective material, and placement of these materials to ensure visibility from all angles. The standard also specifies the durability of materials to maintain visibility after wear and exposure to environmental elements.
EN ISO enhances workplace safety by setting rigorous visibility requirements for protective clothing. This ensures that workers are easily seen in a variety of lighting conditions, significantly reducing the risk of accidents in environments where high visibility is crucial.
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