The Importance Of Hi Vis Clothing

The importance of Hi Vis clothing

by

Dominic Stapleton

Many companies require their employees to wear high visibility (hi vis) clothing, but it is sometimes not always obvious why.

It is ultimately the responsibility of the employer to ensure their workers are safe, particularly when working from a height or with heavy machinery, and as such hi vis clothing is essential for employees working in dangerous conditions.

Employers must undertake thorough risk assessments before allowing any employee to begin working in a hazardous area. This will allow them to identify the proper hi vis clothing required in order to keep staff safe and highly noticeable at all times.

The luminous colours of

hi vis clothing

, combined with the shiny, reflective surface, makes sure employees are as visible as they can be to the naked eye, and generally form part of a wider Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) range.

PPE is a legal requirement for many roles, under the Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations Act 1992. It consists of hi vis clothing (such as jackets, trousers and arm bands) and other accessories, such as hats and boots. In fact, it is defined in the regulations as: “All equipment which is intended to be worn or held by a person at work which protects them against one or more risks to their health and safety.”

Any working environment that is considered high risk will generally require staff to undertake their daily activities in PPE, and the PPE worn should always meet the official British regulations.

However it is important to remember that it is the employers’ responsibility to provide, pay for PPE, and give any training on how to use it to their staff – the obligation is not with the staff member to bring their own gear.

Additionally, regulations stipulate that it is not only the actual PPE that companies are obliged to keep on site – they must also have clear instructions on where they can obtain further equipment, should they run out, and also how it should be used.

Dominic Stapleton is a freelancer author writes articles on safety products. To learn more on

Safety Gloves

and

First Aid Kit

he recommends you to visit:

thesafetysupplycompany.co.uk

Article Source:

ArticleRich.com