The Impact of High-Visibility Gear on Roadside Safety?

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Sources
Safety First: Why High Visibility Safety Vests and Uniforms Are ...
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www.prudentialuniforms.com
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The Importance of High Visibility Rain Gear for Roadside Workers
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www.hi-viz.com
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[PDF] High-Visibility Garments and Worker Safety on Roadways
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www.fs.usda.gov
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High Visibility: Safety Gear That's More Than Just Bright Colors
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www.mem-ins.com
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4
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Answer
High-visibility safety gear, such as vests, jackets, and shirts, plays a crucial role in enhancing roadside safety for workers. These garments, made with bright colors and reflective materials, help ensure that workers remain visible to drivers, even in low light conditions or adverse weather14. The primary benefits of high-visibility gear include:
  1. Increased visibility: Bright colors and reflective strips make workers stand out from their surroundings, making it easier for drivers to spot them, especially in areas with vehicle traffic13.
  2. Reduced risk of accidents: Wearing high-visibility gear significantly reduces the likelihood of workers being struck by vehicles, as drivers are more aware of their presence12.
  3. Compliance with safety regulations: OSHA and other regulatory bodies require workers to wear high-visibility clothing when working near moving traffic, and failure to comply can result in hefty fines23.
  4. Improved worker safety and morale: Employees feel safer and more secure when they have access to high-visibility clothing, which can lead to increased productivity and better morale1.
When selecting high-visibility gear, it is essential to consider the specific needs of the work environment and the ANSI standards, which classify the appropriate apparel based on the level of risk13. For instance, Class 3 garments provide the highest level of visibility and are recommended for utility workers and road construction personnel3. In addition to vests and jackets, high-visibility rain gear is crucial for roadside workers, as it keeps them dry and visible even in inclement weather conditions2. Reflective shirts and hi-vis uniform shirts are also available, offering a more professional appearance while still providing the necessary visibility1. By investing in high-quality, well-maintained high-visibility gear, employers can significantly enhance the safety of their roadside workers and contribute to a safer working environment for all4.

References

1. Safety First: Why High Visibility Safety Vests and Uniforms Are ...2. The Importance of High Visibility Rain Gear for Roadside Workers3. [PDF] High-Visibility Garments and Worker Safety on Roadways4. High Visibility: Safety Gear That's More Than Just Bright Colors5. [PDF] High visibility clothing - Health and Safety Authority



Author: Action Media Productions



Key insights

  • EMS professionals often become victims themselves when inattentive drivers fail to see them and strike them with their vehicles.
  • The requirement for high visibility safety apparel applies to all emergency responders, whether paid or volunteer.
  • The criteria for fluorescent backgrounds and retro reflective striping on safety vests are provided in terms of their color brightness, strength, and durability.
  • ️ Class 2 garments are recommended for first responders on or near roadways and nearby vehicles traveling 25 to 50 miles per hour.
  • 🤔 Many have the "it can't happen to me" belief and choose not to wear their safety vests.
  • Visibility is not just an issue at nighttime, with dozens of people being struck every year during daytime hours due to various factors.
  • Wearing safety vests is crucial for first responders to increase visibility and minimize risk on roadways.

Timestamped Summary

  • 00:00 EMS professionals are at risk of injury or death from inattentive drivers, leading to laws and campaigns to protect them.
  • 01:12 All emergency responders working on a highway must wear high visibility safety apparel to meet federal regulations.
  • 01:46 Safety vests must meet specific criteria for color, brightness, strength, durability, and effectiveness of reflective materials.
  • 02:10 First responders near roadways should wear Class 2 garments for speeds of 25-50 mph, while Class 3 garments are for higher speed traffic or limited visibility.
  • 02:32 EMS professionals wear ANSI compliance safety vests for high visibility, but many are unaware of the high number of road injuries and deaths and choose not to wear their vests.
  • 02:59 Decreased visibility during daytime and nighttime on roadways leads to increased risk of accidents, with factors such as uniform color, ambient lighting, sight distance, background color, scene clutter, vehicle speed, road conditions, backlighting, and emergency lights all contributing to the problem.
  • 03:36 Wear high visibility safety vests to increase visibility and safety for first responders on roadways.

Video Full Text

  • 00:00 Every day emergency medical services professionals put themselves in harm's way when working on busy roads and highways throughout the country while there to provide care for ill and injured patients. EMS professionals often become victims themselves when inattentive drivers failed to see them and strike them with their vehicles. Over the years thousands of EMTs paramedics and first responders have been injured or killed while helping others. Both the federal government and individual states have enacted laws to curb highway worker injuries and deaths. Currently 49 states have some sort of move over or slow down law in place for emergency responders and highway workers. Additionally national campaigns like move over America have taken up the cause to try to educate drivers on what to do when they approach emergency workers operating on a roadway to further help address this growing epidemic.
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  • 01:12 On November 24 2008 a new federal regulation went into effect mandating that anyone working in the right-of-way of a federal aid. Highway must be wearing high visibility clothing that meets the requirements of the American National Standards Institute ANSI and international safety equipment Association standard 107. This requirement applies to all emergency responders whether paid or volunteer as a result of this law. Emergency responders operating on a highway must wear high visibility safety apparel.
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  • 01:46 These requirements include criteria for fluorescent backgrounds and retro reflective striping and trim on shirts. Pants coats coveralls and safety vests regardless of garment specific criteria are provided in terms of their color brightness strength and durability as well as effectiveness of retro reflective materials remaining bright under different wear and use conditions.
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  • 02:10 Class 2 garments are recommended for first responders on or near roadways and nearby vehicles traveling 25 to 5 50 miles per hour. In contrast class. Three garments require more fluorescent and retro reflective material class. Three garments are recommended for first responders exposed to higher speed traffic or limited visibility situations.
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  • 02:32 Today. The high visibility safety apparel worn by most EMS professionals is an ANSI compliance safety vest. This holds true because it can be worn over any garment while most EMS professionals are safety conscious. Not all are truly aware of the startling number of injuries and deaths that occur every year on our roads and highways. Additionally many have the it can't happen to me belief and choose not to wear their safety vests.
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  • 02:59 While many think that visibility is only an issue at nighttime. Dozens of people are struck every year during daytime hours. Many factors contribute to a decrease in visibility while working on a roadway. Examples include uniform color ambient lighting sight distance background color scene clutter speed of vehicle and road conditions at nighttime. These confounding factors become even more exaggerated taking into account. Additional influences such as backlighting and the distraction of certain emergency lights. Visibility is further hampered at night. In many cases.
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  • 03:36 It is virtually impossible to see a first responder who is not wearing a safety vest. Since we cannot control every variable every time while operating on a roadway. Every possible safety percussion must be taken to increase our visibility to increase safety and minimize risk. Every agency should have a traffic incident management system. Traffic incident management systems help to enhance operational effectiveness reduce potential liability and enhance responder safety at roadway emergency scenes. A good plan addresses at minimum establishing temporary traffic control zones use of channeling devices and the use of high visibility safety apparel. It has been proved time after time that planning is the best defense make wearing your safety vest part of your daily routine day and night for a free copy of this PSA and list of references please visit www.gfi.com/webmonitor you.
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