Tag Archives: High Visibility Safety

General Safety Issues, High Visibility Safety

SAFETY VESTS AREN’T JUST FOR CONSTRUCTION WORKERS (GUEST POST)

Safety vests are familiar sights in construction zones. A variety of reflective models, including lightweight, mesh and multi-colored versions, help workers increase their visibility and maintain on-the-job safety every day. While construction workers may first come to mind when thoughts turn to safety vests, this critical protective gear is also used in a number of other industries and activities.

On the Road
Between the ongoing need for highway infrastructure improvements and increased traffic construction due to population growth, night work is becoming increasingly prevalent on the roadways. While contact with construction vehicles, objects and equipment is the leading cause of death for workers in highway construction zones, these fatalities are preventable through the implementation of best safety practices, including safety vests.

Safety Vests Arent Just For Construction Workers 1

Whatever their shape and size, safety gear cannot be underestimated.

According to the National Safety Council’s 2011 Injury Facts report, there were just under 700 deaths and 29,000 work zone crashes in a single year period. Safety vests reduce traffic fatalities by helping drivers more easily see workers during the evening hours, when visibility is significantly impaired.

But it’s not just construction workers who are injured or killed on the highway. Traffic flaggers, as well as first responders, such as police officers, EMTs and firefighters, rely on safety vests for road safety. Additionally, federal regulations now require media personnel to don safety vests when working on federal rights-of-way because of struck-by accidents. Airline and traffic controllers don safety vests for the same important reason.

Emergency Situations
Police officers, security guards and other public officers face many hazards every day. Personal safety is a critical imperative, and safety vests are a critical component. Reflective safety vests help law enforcement personnel, as well as security and patrol officers, identify their presence during emergency situations, which can help protect them and prevent catastrophic accidents.

Safety Vests Arent Just For Construction Workers 2

You can’t see very well. The driver can’t either.

For the Sport of It
Safety vests aren’t just for members of the workforce. In fact, they are a valuable precautionary method for a number of different sports enthusiasts, including cyclists and joggers, who may otherwise be unseen by passing cars. Motorists aren’t the sole threat to humans, however: the majority of states require game hunters to don safety vests for increased visibility to other hunters. In fact, wearing a blaze orange reflective vest during game season has the potential to save lives, and areas which enforce blaze orange safety requirements have seen reductions in hunting accidents.

While a safety vest is just a safety vest to some people, it’s an invaluable safety precaution for others at work and at play. Many construction industry insurance policies prioritize their use, as does OSHA for flaggers and other workers in construction zones. In short, safety vests are a critical partner in increasing safety, reducing accidents and enhancing peace of mind for many members of society.

Joanna Hughes writes on all subjects, ranging from lifestyle to workplace safety.

General Safety Issues, High Visibility Safety

MAY IS NATIONAL MOTORCYCLE SAFETY AWARENESS MONTH!

Sponsored by the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, May is designated as National Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month.  Their main goal is to get drivers to understand that  motorcyclists have the same rights and privileges as any other vehicle on the road, and we all must “share the road.”  We should pay attention every time we approach a motorcycle and extend courtesy to them as they travel.  They don’t have all the protection that we in cars or trucks have; their gear is their main line of defense.  Please  pay attention to these ten things that all car and truck drivers should know about motorcycles and motorcyclists (from the Motorcycle Safety Foundation):

  1. There are many more cars and trucks than motorcycles on the road and some drivers don’t “recognize” motorcyclists. They ignore them, usually unintentionally. Look for motorcycles, especially when checking traffic at an intersection.
  2. A motorcyclist may look farther away than he or she actually is. It may also be difficult to judge a motorcycle’s speed. When checking traffic to turn at an intersection or into (or out of) a driveway, estimate that a motorcycle is closer than it looks.
  3. A motorcycle can be easily hidden in a car’s blind spots or masked by objects or backgrounds outside the car. Thoroughly check traffic, whether you’re changing lanes or turning at intersections.
  4. A motorcycle may seem to be moving faster than it really is. Again, don’t immediately rely on your perceptions.
  5. Turn signals on a motorcycle are not often automatically self-canceling. Some riders, (especially beginners) sometimes forget to turn them off. Try to determine whether a motorcycle’s turn signal is for real. And if you’re driving a car, remember to use your turn signals too. They’re a great communication tool for riders and drivers when used properly.
  6. Motorcyclists often adjust position within a lane to be seen more easily, to avoid road debris, and deal with passing vehicles and wind. Understand that motorcyclists often adjust lane position for a purpose, and it’s not an invitation for a car to share the lane with them.
  7. Motorcyclists sometimes slow down by downshifting or rolling off the throttle, thus not activating the brake light.
  8.  Don’t tailgate motorcyclists. At intersections, anticipate that motorcyclists may slow down without any visual warning. Maneuverability can be one advantage for a motorcycle, but don’t expect that motorcyclist can always steer or swerve out of harm’s way. Please leave motorcyclists room on the road, wherever they are around you.   
  9. Stopping distance for motorcycles can be nearly the same or better than that of cars. But wet or slippery pavement can put motorcyclists at a disadvantage. Don’t violate a motorcyclist’s right of way, especially in bad conditions.  
  10. Don’t think of it as a motorcycle, a machine: Think of the rider; the person on board is someone’s son, daughter, spouse or parent.       Unlike other motorists, protected by doors, roofs and airbags, motorcyclists have only their safety gear and are at greater risk from distracted drivers. 

Wait! Not to overlook our friends who prefer riding bicycles, May is also National Bike Month! Sponsored by the League, National Bike Month is an opportunity to celebrate the unique power of the bicycle and the many reasons we ride. Whether you bike to work or school; to save money or time; to preserve your health or the environment; to explore your community or get to your destination, get involved in Bike Month in your city or state — and help get more people in your community out riding too!

Remember: Number 10 above is good advice to motorists: think of the rider of the bike being someone’s son, daughter, spouse, parent, or even grandparent!  These riders do not have the protection afforded by a car: they have their helmet and safety gear and are at greater risk from distracted drivers.  Drive and ride friendly!  Don’t forget to wear all your safety products, and add a hi-visibility vest over your jacket to help other drivers see you more easily. There are also some neat stick-on applications that you can add to your helmet!

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CLOTHES AND COLORS (NOT A FASHION STATEMENT!)

When you are driving down the highway, and you see construction workers, rescue workers, or persons picking up litter along the roads, have you noticed the bright colors they wear?  Those vests, hardhats, clothing with reflective stripes, etc. are there for their protection, to assure that they are conspicuous to oncoming traffic.

When you watch emergency personnel doing their job, notice those bright colors on their clothing, and remember that is just one of the many ways to help ensure their safety.

Primary Safety Colors are:

  • Safety Orange – Used for vests, traffic cones, hunting vests, barrels and other construction marking devices.
  • Fire Engine Red – Named mainly for fire engines and other emergency vehicles.
  • Chartreuse Yellow – Greater visibility at night; many cities now use this color for fire engines and emergency equipment.
  • Neon Yellow – Most visible color to the human eye, present on most vests.
  • High Visibility Yellow – Used for coveralls, rainwear, slush boots.

There are all types of safety wear, from reflective strips for hardhats, reflective gear for firemen, police, emergency responders, vests with various color stripes, to full body protection.  There are high visibility hardhat covers, hi-vis gloves, GloMega Glow in the Dark hardhats.  For work or travel, consider Pack and Pop cones with lights, Safety Flags (orange), and Safety Kits for Motorists, which have an orange and white triangle, reflective vest, and road flares.  Bikers, motorcyclists, and evening walkers need to have some sort of reflective gear (vests, stripes, etc.) to make motorists aware of their presence.

Source: Wikipedia