It is imperative that a construction site is as safe as possible. One great way to help ensure the safety of your workers is with implementing high visibility clothing. There are many items that your workers can wear. However, it is important to ensure that you know more about the various classes of high visibility clothing.
Recent research shows that 4,836 workers died on the job in 2015. Sadly, the previously mentioned total equals up to about 13 deaths per day. Items like a high visibility jacket help to minimize workplace casualties. In this post, you will learn more about the classes of high visibility clothing
Class 1 Clothing: Generally, workers in these situations require minimal safety gear. It is imperative that a worker has all required high visibility gear. Workers will usually be in situations where there is minimal risk. In many situations, people who work around parking lots or near slow moving vehicles will wear this type of equipment. Research shows that construction workers will walk over 30,000 steps per day.
Class 2 Clothing: This class will typically have workers wearing high visibility vests. In many situations, sanitary workers and crossing guards will wear class 2 safety gear. Class 2 visibility gear is made for people who will be around vehicles traveling around 25 miles per hour.
Class 3 Clothing: In many situations, workers wearing Class 3 visibility clothing will have additional items being worn, like a high visibility jacket. It is common for safety arm and leg gear to be worn in Class 3 situations. Workers in this class can be near vehicles traveling in excess of 25 miles per hour. In addition, workers could be performing tasks that have them distracted from the environment around them, making high visibility workwear essential.
Class E Clothing: This class will be worn in situations where visibility is at the lowest. The previously mentioned items will likely be worn by Class E workers. Situations where workers at doing their job at night will have them wearing Class E clothing. It is imperative that night shift workers have adequate protection. In 2013, one third of work injuries that required time off happened to workers that had been with a company less than a year. High visibility rain jackets are great for workers who work during rainy nights.
In summary, there are designated classes of visibility clothing. The lower classes are going to be used in situations where visibility is highest. In many cases, workers will be away from any fast moving types of machinery. Class 2 and 3 clothing will be worn in situations where workers are near more potential hazards. It is typical to see a high visibility jacket in Class 2 and 3 situations. Lastly, Class E clothing will be used when workers are in dark or nighttime environments.
