subject: Types Of Hi-vis Garments [print this page] High visibility (Hi-Vis) clothes are standard equipment in many industries. They are used in jobs such us construction, law enforcement, search and rescue and many more. Recreational activities like hunting and spelunking are also required by their governing bodies to use Hi-Vis garments. They are divided into different classes based on the amount of improved visibility they provide. There are currently many different types available on the market.
Vests are the most common type of Hi-Vis clothing. One reason they are so popular is because of their versatility. You can re-use a vest throughout your work week numerous times since they are simply worn over existing work clothes. However, this flexibility is offset by its relatively low surface area as compared to other Hi-Vis products.
High visibility gloves are often used by construction and factory workers who operate large and heavy machinery. Its benefit to the wearer is twofold. While it does give a rudimentary amount of protection against burns, cuts and abrasions, the more important function is the increased visibility it provides. In a factory or construction environment, hands can easily be caught in equipment if the operator is not alert. Gloves serve as useful visual reminders to get everyone clear before proceeding.
A high visibility shirt comes in two variants: long sleeved and short sleeved. In many cases, they pull double duty as both safety equipment and the employees actual work clothes. You often see this in construction sites. One advantage a shirt has over a vest is the larger amount of space available. This allows more brightly colored and reflective fabric to be used which increases its visual impact.
High visibility pants are not as common as their counterparts. However, they are still used, especially in dangerous situations. Extremely complicated and delicate construction projects like oil pipe laying or dam construction often require workers to use Hi-Vis trousers. This is because in such a large construction site, it is even easier to lose track of workers. The additional visual cues given by these garments can be a great aid in keeping everyone safe.
Its important to note that wearing a combination of lower class (Class 2 or Class 1) high visibility shirt and pants would yield a Class 3 outfit as judged by internationally recognized safety standards.
