With winter just around the corner, it’s time to start getting your team ready for the change in weather. Whether you’re on a construction site or are based at the side of a busy road, your workers need to be visible on even the darkest mornings – and that’s where we can help.
Here at City Workwear, we’ve been providing personalised hi-vis workwear for a decade now, and we know how much of a difference the right garments make to keeping your team safe and seen. With that in mind, let’s look at how you can start getting your team ready for those dark winter starts!
Why is hi-vis so important?
We cannot over-emphasise the importance of hi-vis, especially on dark winter mornings. Worksites are typically busy places, with many people doing their own thing all at once – and when you add vehicles and machinery into the situation, it’s a recipe for disaster if you don’t have the right safety measures in place. With good hi-vis workwear, you can avoid potentially serious injuries and costly delays, making sure that every member of your team instantly stands out.
There are also legal elements at play. As an employer, you’re required to provide free hi-vis workwear to all employees where their safety might be at risk without it. You must also check that the hi-vis wear is in good condition. Finally, you must ensure that all employees wear their hi-vis correctly and understand its importance.
What level of visibility will my team need?
Many people don’t realise that not all hi-vis is the same. In fact, there are three classes of hi-vis based on your visibility needs, with Class 1 offering the lowest level of conspicuity and Class 3 offering the highest. You must conduct a proper risk assessment when choosing what hi-vis your team needs to stay visible on dark mornings.
- Class 1 – suitable only for lower-risk areas, away from traffic and usually consisting of a single garment, like a full-zip gilet. This class is perfect for warehouse staff, delivery drivers, and non-roadside ground maintenance workers.
- Class 2 – designed for visibility in medium-risk environments where there are more vehicles or machinery. Choose this class for construction workers or roadside maintenance crews, but remember – if your team is working by a road, Class 2 hi-vis is only suitable in areas where the speed limit is below 40 mph. Examples include the Regatta Pro Bodywarmer or a waterproof shell jacket.
- Class 3 – as the highest possible visibility level, Class 3 is suitable for high-risk environments like motorways, near railways or on construction sites with lots of traffic and moving machinery. Class 3 hi-vis garments are legally required to cover the torso, and need to include either trousers or long sleeves. For example, our Regatta Pro Contract Dover Jacket is perfect for ensuring maximum visibility when you really need it.
It’s also important to remember that what works for one team member might not work for another, especially if you have a diverse range of job roles. For example, you may have one person driving a truck and another working on a construction site. Take the time to consider everyone’s individual needs to ensure safety on even the most low-visibility days.
Other benefits of hi-vis clothing
The right hi-vis clothing does more than keep your team visible! When the mornings are dark, wet and freezing, the extra layers will keep your workers warm and dry without restricting their movement. With options like our Result Hi-Vis Insulated Winter Blouson or the Regatta High-Vis Pro Softshell, you can prevent illness and distractions, enabling your team to do their best work even in poor visibility. We even offer accessories like the Beechfield High Visibility Beanie or Beechfield Morf® Enhanced-Viz Neck Gaiter to take your team’s comfort and conspicuity to the next level!
Looking to kit out your team in hi-vis? From a range of individual items to our hi-vis bundles, we’ve got everything you need to protect your team on those dark winter mornings. Even better, we can personalise everything in-house too! Interested? Explore our website today to see what we have to offer!
