Latest news, sport, culture, business and more for Liverpool and Merseyside

High visibility clothing plays an important role in keeping people safe and visible when at work. Whilst fatal accidents at work are decreasing, there are still thousands of accidents that result in injuries every year – many of which could easily be avoided.

What is hi-vis clothing and why should you wear it? 

High visibility clothing is vital across a number of industries, often seen in sectors that require the use of heavy machinery or when working close to moving traffic.

High-vis clothing has fluorescent strips that help to ensure the wearer can be seen in both bright daylight and in dark conditions. Vests and jackets are the most common type of high-vis clothing, but you’ll often find people who work beside the road will wear high-vis trousers for added safety.

Like all forms of PPE, the key to maximising the safety features of hi-vis clothing is to choose garment types that offer the most contrast between the wearer and their surroundings. The purpose of high visibility clothing is to stand out.

Do employers legally need to provide hi-vis clothing?

Under UK law, employers have a duty of care to ensure that all staff receives adequate and appropriate workwear to ensure their safety, and this extends to hi-vis clothing. It should be manufactured to the recognised BS EN 471 standard.

All hi-vis clothing should be free of charge for employees who will be exposed to significant risk to their safety, and you should make sure that all PPE, including HV clothing is well-maintained and fit for purpose.

What’s the difference between Class 1, 2, and 3 clothing? 

If you’re investing in HV clothing, you may have come across classifications: Class 1, Class 2, and Class 3. These are based on the amount of reflective material used and high contrast fabrics that make up the garment.

The more hazardous the working environment, the more visible your team needs to be.

Class 1 – Offers the lowest level of visibility.

Class 2 – Intermediate level of visibility. Typically, a standard hi-vis vest is categorised as Class 2.

Class 3 – The highest level of visibility is offered. Usually, this is achieved by wearing multiple hi-vis garments, including trousers and a vest. Class 3 refers to the total area of fluorescent material.

What sort of jobs requires high vis?

Some occupations that require high visibility are amongst the most dangerous jobs. Construction is perhaps the sector we’d associate most with hi-vis clothing, and it accounts for around 17% of all workplace fatalities, followed closely by farming (16.4%) and manufacturing (13%).