Workers wear high-visibility safety clothing (HVSA) to make themselves more visible to their co-workers as well as to the general public. HVSA may be required when working in specific environments such as on construction sites, in areas with heavy equipment and vehicles or in places that are dark or poorly illuminated. HVSA covers a variety of clothing and workwear, such as reflective vests and hard hats.
HVSA can be used at a variety of places, including:
- Road Construction
- Utilities
- Transport by rail and truck
- Crossing guards
- Emergency Services
- Hoisting, rigging, signaling, and crane work
- Traffic Control
- Airport ground operations include baggage handling, aircraft movement and fueling
- Maritime operations
HVSA can also be used in other situations such as for hunting, car breakdowns and cycling.
What does High-Visibility Apparel Safety Apparel (HVSA), mean?
Safety clothing with high visibility refers to clothing that is designed both with reflective tape and a bright background color such as orange or yellow. It is visible both in dark environments and when it is lit up, like by a car headlight. The apparel will meet the latest or previous editions of the American National Standard HVSA, and be approved for use in public or on-site.
Legislation Requiring HVSA
Wearing HVSA can be more than just a personal preference. Depending on where you work and what conditions exist, your state and Occupational Safety and Health Administration may have mandates that require HVSA and reflective clothing.
Colors used in HVSA
HVSA is a result of the way the brain works and how we perceive colors. Green is the color that the brain perceives the most easily. Therefore, you would assume that HVSA would be green. It’s not as simple as that. Contrast is the key. Brighter colors, like orange and yellow, will stand out better and draw attention against dark backgrounds. Material with fluorescent or luminescent qualities is especially useful. Reflective or retroreflective material is ideal for vehicles or machinery that uses artificial lighting, especially in dark environments or at nights when bright colors may not be visible.
Importance of HVSA for Workplace Safety
Anyone working in a high-risk area will benefit from High-visibility Safety Wear clothing. Construction sites, workplaces involving the movement of vehicles such as warehouses, ports, or areas with high traffic, are all examples. This can include industrial sites such as refineries and heavy manufacturing, where large machinery is used. One in five fatalities at construction sites are caused by being struck by vehicles or equipment. Being as visible on site as possible is essential.
HVSA provides a level of protection that is enhanced by making workers visible for other co-workers, particularly in areas where heavy vehicles or machinery could pose a serious risk to health and security. HVSA can be especially useful in places with low visibility such as underground or around vehicles. HVSA can also improve the safety of workers who are working in places where they may be obscured by trees or other obstacles. HVSA is also used in a variety of public and leisure activities, including motorsports, hunting, cycling and other sports.
Factors To Consider When Choosing HVSA
The right HVSA can be a major factor in improving the safety on any site. Although it’s true that wearing any type of high-visibility garment is better than nothing, particularly for leisure activities like cycling, there are also other factors to consider in the workplace. The site’s legal requirements, as well as the safety and health of workers, equipment and the public, are all important.
To help you identify your requirements, it is best to carry out a high-visibility risk assessment. It will cover factors like:
- Contrast between worker and equipment or site
- HVSA can be used to improve visibility and to identify workers
- Weather conditions that are likely to occur (rain, fog or snow)
- Heavy equipment, moving equipment and traffic
- The time of the day
- How much coverage should I wear?
Different Types of High-Visibility Safety Vests
HVSAs will be required for different working environments.
- Type O Garments are for off-road workers, who do not work in close proximity to roadway traffic.
- Type R garments: for workers exposed to road traffic.
- Type P Garments for first responders and emergency personnel.
HVSA also receives a rating based on its coverage. These are:
- Class 1: Minimum body coverage with good visibility.
- Class 2: Medium body coverage with enhanced visibility.
- Class 3: Excellent body coverage and visibility. This is a great option in low light conditions, and it provides good visibility from a distance.
HVSA can reduce the number of workplace injuries, but its effectiveness may diminish over time. It is ideal to replace items that are worn daily every six months. Items that aren’t used every day can last for up to three year.
