Workplace safety has become a growing concern in Australia, due to the increasing number of work-related accidents such as car-related accidents, trips, slips, etc. While some accidents are unavoidable many can be prevented by providing training and ensuring the use of safety clothing, such as high visibility workwear.
Every year many accidents occur due to poor visibility conditions. That’s why high visibility workwear with its luminance plays an important role in ensuring workplace safety.
This workwear is not just a bright workwear with reflective strips; it’s a shield, a warning and even a lifesaver.
Whether in construction industry, in warehouses or with road work crews and emergency responders the bright colours and reflective materials of high visibility workwear play a role in ensuring safety protocols are followed.
However, what makes Hi Vis workwear so important in Australia?
And,
How does it contribute to enhancing safety and minimising accidents?
Let’s shed some light on its importance.
What is High-Visibility workwear
High visibility workwear, also known as hi-vis workwear refers to workwear that are highly reflective, in their natural matte appearance or have colours that easily stand out from the crowd with any background.
Typically, it’s worn on the body and arms. Australian Health and safety regulations often mandate the use of high visibility clothing as a means of protection.
The common colours for high visibility workwear include Orange, Red and Yellow, but among those yellow and orange are the most seen options.
What are Australian Hi-Vis workwear standards
Australia recognises AS/NZS 4602.1:2011 safety workwear standard, directing how a high-visibility workwear is designed. This refers to the garment design specifically focusing on the configuration and quantity of two safety materials: fluorescent and retroreflective materials.
High visibility clothing is a safety requirement, in many industries such as road, rail and others that involve high risk situations.
People who need to be visible from a distance in backgrounds or conditions with limited visibility should wear hi-vis.
Common accidents that happen when Hi-Vis workwear is not worn
1. Car accidents – In areas where heavy machinery is operated, such as construction zones or in warehouses, workers who don’t wear high visibility workwear face an increased risk of being struck by a car. This risk is true when low light conditions strike.
2. Forklift accidents – Factories and warehouse forklift operators may not be able to see a coworker in time to prevent an accident if that coworker isn’t wearing high visibility clothing.
3. Struck by a falling object – On construction sites and in similar environments, workers on the ground may rely on others to alert them about hazards. Without high visibility clothing these workers can be less noticeable to those working above them.
4. Walking in hazard zone – If someone is walking towards a hazard without wearing high visibility clothing other workers may not be able to warn the worker on time. This can result in collisions with equipment or stationary objects.
Why is Hi-Vis workwear important at a workplace
1. Reduces workplace accidents – Wearing Hi-Vis workwear plays an important role in minimising accidents caused by poor worker visibility.
The materials and colours used in the workwear makes it easier for drivers to spot and avoid collisions with workers while on the road. High visibly workwear holds a lot for importance for individuals working in the construction and industrial sectors.
2. Easy Recognition – During times of emergencies or disasters, like a car accident or a natural calamity it’s convenient to spot individuals wearing safety vests and approach them for help.
In day-to-day situations it’s highly unlikely to come across someone sporting a safety vest casually. These vests are primarily associated with professionals who actively perform their duties, so they are taken seriously.
A high visibility workwear featuring the company logo on the back helps identify the workers field of expertise enabling others to seek assistance, in that area.
Safety vests act as credentials showcasing professionalism, making it simple to identify those working at construction sites.
3. Easy night work – Hi vis workwear come in fluorescent colours that are brighter than usual colours. These unique pigments reflect light from the sun and artificial light sources creating a highly visible beam. Fluorescent colours increase the use of light in low light conditions, such as evenings. Additionally, they provide a contrast against backgrounds, at nighttime whether natural or artificial.
4. Any work setting – Hi-Vis workwear provides higher visibility during daylight hours, which is one of the main purposes of any high visibility workwear. The workwear works properly when it contrasts significantly with a worker’s surroundings. For example, if there’s a lot of orange equipment at your job site opting for lime would be the best choice, in turn creating contrast with the elements that your workers will be adjacent to.
5. Winter roadwork – Wearing high visibility workwear during the winter helps to prevent accidents and injuries by ensuring that workers are visible to anyone in the vicinity. This is important for workers working in gas and electric utilities, transportation, such as highway, railway and aviation industries. Other professionals, like construction workers, surveyors, first responders, sanitation workers and warehouse staff also benefit greatly from high visibility workwear.
