Tag: Vests

REPLACEMENT OF ANSI HIGH-VISIBILITY VESTS AND CLOTHING

Posted on by Jim Wood

High-visibility safety apparel is personal protective safety clothing that is meant to make you more visible (conspicuous) during both daytime and nighttime use. High-visibility clothing is important because it gives the motorist a visual indication there is a person on or near their travel path, where under normal driving conditions people would not be on or near the roadway.

High-visibility vests and clothing must meet the Performance Class 2 or 3 requirements of American National Standards Institute (ANSI)/ International Safety Equipment Association (ISEA) 107-2004.

All workers within the right-of-way of a federal-aid highway who are exposed either to traffic, or to construction equipment within the work area, shall wear high-visibility safety apparel.

WORKERS AFFECTED BY THIS REQUIREMENT INCLUDE:

  • Highway construction and maintenance crews.
  • Flaggers.
  • Inspectors.
  • Engineering personnel.
  • Survey crews.
  • Utility crews.
  • Responders.

WHEN SHOULD HIGH-VISIBILITY SAFETY APPAREL BE REPLACED?

Your high-visibility safety vest and clothing should be replaced when it becomes faded, torn, dirty, soiled, worn or defaced, or if it is not visible at 1,000 feet, day or night. The typical useful service life of high-visibility safety clothing depends on the type of work a person does while wearing the clothing. High-visibility clothing that is worn daily has a typical service life of approximately six months.

Reasons that may cause your vest to wear out more quickly, depending on the amount of use, include:

  • Job task that are dirtier or more demanding and could be more likely to lead to soiling or tears.
  • Hotter climates.
  • Repeated exposure to ultra-violet rays.

WHEN YOU TAKE CARE OF YOUR PPE, YOUR PPE WILL TAKE CARE OF YOU!

Download a printable PDF and recording form here.

Members can download the audio version of this toolbox talk here.

Care and Maintenance of Safety Vests

Posted on by admin_ici
Originally published Sept. 13, 2016

Safety vests are designed to make workers visible to traffic and machine operators under any conditions. Vests must meet ANSI’s performance class 2 or 3 requirements. You must wear it if you are:

  • Part of a highway construction or maintenance crew (this includes flaggers);
  • An inspector;
  • Engineering personnel;
  • Part of a survey crew or utility crew; or
  • A responder.

If maintained properly, a vest that is worn on a daily basis has a service life expectancy of approximately six months. A vest not worn daily could be functional up to three years. Do not neglect washing your vest. Dirt can diminish the intensity of the florescent color. You want the color to be as visible as possible.

One manufacturer suggests machine laundering with like colors, in cold water, on the delicate cycle using a mild detergent. Do not use bleach or fabric softener. If possible, wash the garment inside out. Following these instructions will help protect the reflective tape.

Line drying your vest will also extend the life of the reflective tape. If you choose to machine dry, remove the vest from the dyer immediately. Do not let it sit with other hot clothes next to the dryer’s drum. This could also damage the reflective tape.

Your safety vest should be replaced when it becomes faded, torn, dirty, soiled, worn or defaced, or if it is not visible at 1,000 feet day or night. Factors that may cause your vest to wear out more quickly, depending on the amount of use, include:

  • Higher elevations due to increased ultra-violet rays;
  • Hot climates;
  • The types of work you are doing (some jobs are more dirty or strenuous and could be more likely to lead to soiling or tears); and
  • Care and maintenance of your vest.

When it’s time to replace your safety vest, notify your safety compliance officer or supervisor and request a replacement.

The proper care and maintenance of your vest will ensure that you are seen and help you stay safe while on the job. Launder your vest according to the manufacturer’s instructions, and replace it as soon as it is no longer appropriately visible. Your life may depend on it.

Download the recording form here.