Hi vis workwear: Care and maintenance

Hi vis workwear is designed to keep you safe at work, but it can only do its job if it is properly worn, cared for and maintained in good condition.

In this blog, we provide a comprehensive guide to looking after your hi vis clothing. Read on to find out more…

Hi vis workwear: The basics

Genuine hi vis workwear conforms to the international standard EN ISO 20471:2013, which sets out the minimum amount of fluorescent and retro-reflective material it must contain.

The standard also stipulates where those materials must be placed for maximum visibility, based on scientific research into how humans react – consciously and subconsciously – to what they see.

Find out more about how hi vis works in our blog on the science behind the technology.

Wearing hi vis workwear

However, in order to be effective, hi vis workwear must be worn as intended when it was designed.

In practical terms, this means following a few simple rules:

• Garments with fastenings should always be worn with them done up.
• Hi vis vests and jackets should be worn on the body as intended, and never tied around the waist.
• Items of hi vis clothing should never be covered – either fully or partially – and should be kept in good, clean condition, with fully-functioning retro-reflective tape and no fading to the fluorescent fabric.
• Hi vis workwear should fit the wearer properly, so its reflective tape is properly positioned on the body for maximum visibility. Oversized garments may not only be ineffective, but are likely to become a hazard, causing distraction or getting caught in machinery.

Only by ensuring their employees follow these rules can employers be certain any hi vis workwear supplied is fully compliant with regulations and providing maximum protection to their team.

Discover: Read our insights into how to use hi vis in your risk management strategy.

Cleaning hi vis workwear

Hi vis workwear should be kept clean at all times so the fluorescent colour and retro-reflective tape can function as intended to increase the wearer’s visibility in different light conditions. Even low-level dirt and dust may cause sufficient decline in performance that a garment would not pass testing to the required standard.

Hi vis garments should be inspected before each shift and wiped clean of any visible dirt and dust afterwards.

Where machine washing is required, these simple tips will help maintain the integrity of the garment:

#1  Follow the instructions on the manufacturer’s label.
#2  Avoid washing at very high temperatures, as this can damage the fabric.
#3  Don’t use harsh chemicals – exposure to prolonged or high alkalinity can damage the retro-reflective tape on hi vis clothing and cause it to disintegrate.
#4  Do not wear items of hi vis clothing where the maximum number of wash cycles as stated on the manufacturer’s label has been exceeded, unless a risk assessment has been conducted to check the garment remains compliant.

Hi vis workwear: When should I replace it?

When should you replace your hi vis workwear?

Although the washing guidelines on the garment label will give you an indication of how long an item of hi vis workwear is likely to last, this is only a guide. The durability of any specific item will depend on the demands of the wearer’s job role and work environment, as well as how well it is looked after.

Where items are properly maintained and carefully stored when not in use (i.e. folded or hung up, stored out of direct sunlight, and not crumpled up or stuffed into enclosed spaces), they will last longer before they need to be replaced.

Replace your hi vis immediately if:

• It is damaged in any way.
• It no longer fastens.
• The retro-reflective tape has faded to matt.
• The fluorescent colour (either yellow or orange) has faded.
• It is dirty with stains that washing cannot remove.

Tips for getting the most from your hi vis workwear

Getting the most from your hi vis workwear requires first investing in high quality garments. At iSB Group, we have chosen to supply hi vis clothing from Leo Workwear, whose range aims to offer PPE for the modern workforce.

We recommend clients purchase at least two of each item of hi vis required for an individual worker so they may be rotated in use.

To ensure purchased hi vis workwear is worn and cared for properly, employees should be provided with training on the reasons why wearing hi vis clothing is essential in their role, as well as how they may ensure they are wearing and caring for it correctly.

For more information on hi vis at work, read our frequently asked questions on this topic. Our full range of hi vis workwear is available to view in our online shop.