Hi Vis Clothing: Your Questions Answered

Hi vis clothing is an essential part of the logistics workwear and PPE toolkit, allowing the wearer to be seen more easily in low light, poor weather, and at night.

A must for those working in and around moving vehicles in particular, it combines fluorescent material to maximise visibility in daylight and retro-reflective strips to reflect artificial light (such as the light from vehicle headlights) at night.

Discover the science behind how hi vis works in this blog on biomotion indicators.

Hi vis standards

Genuine high visibility or hi vis clothing is accredited to the standard EN ISO 20471, which sets out minimum requirements for the surface area of fluorescent and retro-reflective materials that must be used, as well as the appropriate placement of reflective strips for maximum safety.

Conforming hi vis will fall into one of three categories based on its performance:

To be certified class 3, hi vis garments must cover the torso and include either full-length sleeves or trousers. If a sleeve obscures part a of band of reflective tape on the torso of a garment, a corresponding band must be added to the sleeves to compensate.

The classification of a hi vis garment is indicated like this on the garment’s label:
 

As with all PPE, conforming hi vis clothing should also be marked with the CE or UKCA mark to confirm that it is suitable for sale and wear in the UK.

Hi vis clothing: Care and maintenance

In order to perform as required to keep the wearer safe, hi vis clothing should be maintained to a high standard and neither over-washed nor allowed to become dirty.

Most hi vis garments have a maximum life of 25 washes unless otherwise stated on the label, and over cleaning can lead to fading. Meanwhile, dirt and stains can lessen the amount of fluorescent or reflective material that is visible, again affecting performance.

Tips for caring for hi vis clothing:

• Wipe clean at the end of each shift
• Fold or hang to store, keeping out of direct sunlight when not in use
• Do not screw up or squash into small spaces
• Check the label for instructions before washing

Many companies choose to provide individuals with at least two of each hi vis garment required so that they may be rotated in use and their life prolonged.

Hi vis Q&A

As with all workwear and PPE, choosing and caring for hi vis clothing requires considering a multitude of factors. Below we answer some commonly asked questions:

What colours does hi vis clothing come in?

Conforming hi vis clothing may be fluorescent yellow, orange or red (railway spec). Any other colour of garment purporting to be ‘hi vis’ – no matter how bright – will not comply with legal health and safety standards.

What classification of hi vis do I need?

The decision of what class of hi vis to provide to individual employees and teams should always be based on a thorough risk assessment of the conditions in which they are required to work and the risks they face in doing so. Remember that there is no need for a one-size-fits-all approach: modern hi vis manufacturers provide hi vis clothing in women’s fit as well as options for pregnancy and modest wear.

Find out more: Check out our spotlight on Leo Workwear

Can hi vis clothing be branded with a company logo?

Yes! Hi vis jackets, trousers, vests and t-shirts can all be branded with company logos and other chosen identifiers. Careful consideration must be given to the size and placement of any additions to a hi vis garment to ensure that minimum amounts of fluorescent and retro-reflective materials are maintained for compliance purposes, but that is something a good workwear and PPE supplier should be able to advise upon.

If branded hi vis is a requirement for your business, give us a call and we can advise on the safest option for your team.

How often should hi vis clothing be replaced?

With proper care and in standard use, hi vis garments may last around six months before they need to be replaced. However, this may be a lot less, depending on the work environment and job role in which they are worn. To ensure it remains effective, hi vis clothing should always be inspected prior to wear for signs of fading, discolouration, damage or dirt. If there are any concerns about its effectiveness, it should be replaced.

Our tip: Provide your employees with an inspection checklist so they know what to look out for when putting on their hi vis. Where temporary staff have hi vis reallocated each day, warehouse managers should be responsible for carrying out the required checks.

If hi vis clothing is too big, can it be tucked into boots or trousers to improve the fit?

Hi vis clothing is manufactured according to standards that set out the minimum amount of fluorescent and retro-reflective materials that must be included. For the hi vis to remain conforming in use, the entire surface area of the garment must be visible during wear. Depending on the specifics of the chosen garment classification, garment size, and situation risk profile, tucking hi vis trousers into work boots, wearing hi vis vests unfastened, or adding a jacket over the top of a hi-vis vest can all create a situation during wear where otherwise compliant hi vis actually becomes non-conforming. Hi vis garments are often available in a variety of sizes and fits. Ask your workwear supplier for more details on the options available.

View our range of hi vis clothing, workwear and PPE in our online shop.