Buying the right Orange safety vests
One of the most popular high visibility pieces of clothing when it comes to safety is orange safety vests. This safety vest has been used for years from people that used them as crossing guards to people that use them for running. They have become so popular that in 2008 the United States government started requiring companies working on federal highways or states using federal funds to rebuild state highways are required to make their workers wear a fluorescent orange jacket or safety vests. This requirement was made to help reduce the amount motor vehicle accidents that road workers were involved in. Orange is represents high visibility and therefore is a reason when construction is being done they use orange barrels and orange cones to help get the drivers attention whether it is someone riding a bike or whether it is someone driving a car.
According to the bureau of labor statistics there were 844 workers killed in the road construction industry between 1995-2002. This is why national standards have been established to protect workers. This is similar to OSHA requirements where the laws are established to create a safe work environment.
What makes a decent vest?
If you are considering buying vest you should try to find one that has plenty of room for adjustment to allow you to layer clothing when the weather turns to cold or even turns to rain. Therefore, if you are shopping you should look for vests that are expandable. In addition, if you are buying as a company representative or a company owner you may want to consider getting a safety or high visibility vests which is ANSI compliant. Purchasing a class 2 or class 3 ANSI vest will reflect positively on a company if something bad happens to a worker during road construction. Not that an ANSI vest will prevent liability it will help establish the organizations concern for its workers safety.
Related posts:
