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Introduction
High Visibility Jackets, also known as Hi-Vis Jackets are essentially high-visibility workwear for workers from the point of view of safety.
A hi-vis jacket plays a crucial role as the ideal safety work jacket for construction industry workers whose responsibility is to be at the site even in adverse situations of height, risk, temperature, and machinery.
In this blog, we are discussing the best hi-vis jackets for construction industry workers. From meaning to the importance, types, class, and features of a workwear jacket for construction industry workers.
What is a Hi-Vis Jacket?
Practically, hi-vis jackets are designed for workers who need high visibility of their presence in the workplace. A hi-vis jacket is made in vivid colors of yellow, lime, and orange to make the workers visible amidst the low lighting, high dust, and high fog at worksites.
Construction site workers must wear Hi-Vis jackets to ensure their visibility amid machinery, blocks, and other construction-related hazards that may compromise their safety.
Let’s Discuss why hi-vis jackets are important for construction industry workers.
Importance of Hi-Vis Jackets in Construction Industry
Hi-Vis Jackets are prepared in vivid colors such as yellow and orange to grab attention despite low visibility. These bright colors can be visible from a distance, reducing accidents, but they are not enough.
The best hi-vis jackets contain reflective components like stripes or tape for the highest visibility. Construction workers become more visible in the lowest visibility sites at night like road construction or port construction, building construction, etc. They ensure the workers’ visibility from afar and reduce risks of any inconveniences.
Authorities are responsible for determining the color, size, and visibility of workwear jackets. Therefore, you need also information about the class of high-visibility jackets.
Class of Hi-Vis Jackets
Hi-Vis Jackets are mainly designed with the bifurcation of the class, as follows:
1. Highest Level of Safety - Class 3
Class 3 hi-vis jackets have visible wide bands of 2 inches (5.08 cm), supporting fabric of 8.6 square feet (0.8 m²), and reflective element of at least 2 square feet (0.19 m²). Class 3 workwear jackets offer the best visibility making them an ideal choice for construction workers who require long sleeves, visible stripes, and vast bars at the work sites.
2. Medium Level of Safety - Class 2
Class 2 hi-vis jackets have a minimum of 2 inches (5.08 cm) wide bands with the background clothing of a minimum area of 5.4 square feet (0.5 m²) and visible element area of a minimum of 1.4 square feet (0.13 m²). Class 2 workwear jacket offers medium visibility protection.
3. Lowest Level of Safety - Class 1
Class 1 hi-vis jackets are limited to off-road use. The transparent bands on Class 1 jackets must have 2 inches (5.08 cm) wideness, 1.5 sq ft (0.14 m²) background, and 1 sq ft (0.09 m²) bands in total.
Types of Hi-Vis Jackets
There are three main types of high-visibility jackets commonly found in stores.
1. Insulated hi-vis jackets
Insulated hi-vis jackets are made to keep the wearer warm in cold weather. The insulation material inside provides both warmth and comfort. Insulated hi-vis jackets are used outdoors during cold weather, such as winter or a blizzard.
Insulated hi-vis jackets are especially useful for construction workers who work outdoors during the winter months. These jackets will help your workers perform their duties efficiently, even in cold temperatures.
2. Waterproof hi-vis jackets:
Waterproof jackets are essential for individuals working in wet or rainy conditions. These jackets have a waterproof outer layer that keeps the wearer dry and ensures high visibility. They are particularly useful in road construction, outdoor event management, and emergency response.
3. Flame-resistant hi-vis jackets
Flame-resistant hi-vis jackets are essential for workers in industries where they face heat and fire hazards. These jackets are made from unique materials that can endure extreme temperatures without catching fire. They are commonly used in oil and gas, welding, and firefighting industries.
In general, these jackets offer the required safety features for insulation, waterproofing, and flame resistance while still ensuring visibility.
Features of Top Quality Hi-Vis Jackets in Construction Industry
Here are the three features of top quality hi-vis jackets in construction industry:
1. Durability
Most high-visibility jackets are constructed from durable materials like polyester or nylon, ensuring longevity. Look for jackets with reinforced seams and sturdy zippers for added durability. Check if the jacket is flame, water, heat, or abrasion resistant to choose the best option for your needs.
2. Visibility
High-visibility jackets come in different levels for various situations. Class 3 jackets are best for high-risk environments, while Class 1 jackets are suitable for less risky situations. The color and quality of reflective elements on the jacket determine its visibility. Look for bright colors and strategically placed reflective strips for maximum visibility.
3. Comfort
Ensure your workers are comfortable in their high-visibility jackets by choosing ones with adjustable cuffs, hoods, and waistbands. Consider the weather conditions and level of physical activity when selecting the right jacket. For hot climates, opt for short-sleeved or ventilated jackets to prevent overheating.
Look for jackets that provide a snug fit for better comfort, visibility, and protection. Also, check for features like mesh linings or underarm vents to allow heat and moisture to escape. This will help your workers stay comfortable and productive throughout the day.
How to choose the best hi-vis jackets for Construction Industry workers?
Here are three main factors you should consider when choosing a hi-vis jacket for your construction site:
1. Conditions and Environment
First, consider your work conditions and the environment of the construction industry worksite before deciding on a hi-vis jacket for your workers. Make sure that you get the perfect combination of hi-vis jackets with comfort and convenience for your construction workers.
2. Safety Standards
Always go for the brand that follows safety standards and guidelines from regulatory bodies and the government. Also, research different brand reputations among customers and the trustworthiness of your construction industry companies to select their manufactured hi-vis jackets.
3. Budget
You should consider your budget while prioritizing the safety standards and requirements of your workers. However, it is suggested that you choose high-quality jackets for your workers for the long run and do not worry about the hi-vis jackets' durability for a certain time.
How to maintain hi-vis jackets in the Construction Industry
Here are three main factors you should consider when choosing a hi-vis jacket for your construction site:
- Choose the right hi-vis jacket for your construction team of workers.
- Make sure you know how to maintain the hi-vis jacket quality and know when to replace them.
- To clean the jackets, always follow the manufacturer's guide to keep the hi-vis elements intact. Here remember that different jackets may have different cleaning guidelines, therefore read and clean accordingly.
- Use a gentle cycle or hand-wash with mild detergent while cleaning the hi-vis jackets and avoid machine washing as it can damage the translucent parts.
- After washing, hang the jacket to air dry without heat or friction that could harm the reflective components.
- Never use bleach or harsh solvents on hi-vis jackets as they can permanently damage the reflective parts and affect visibility.
When to replace hi-vis jackets in the Construction Industry
Regular maintenance of hi-vis jackets can increase their lifespan. However, hi-vis jackets also become dull and less visible over time. These signs in the wear and tear of the jackets pose a threat to the safety of workers and overrule the safety standards of work environments.
In these conditions, you should clarify the potential time of not using the same jacket to your construction industry workers and replace the old with new highly visible jackets.
Globally Trusted Industry Workwear Manufacturer - ACI Workwear
Via this blog, you have gone through how important hi-vis jackets are for construction industry workers.
When you are choosing the hi-vis jackets for your workers , you should check the quality, longevity, and durability and should choose according to the work conditions you have at your work site. Understanding the specifications of the jacket will help you to pick a valid hi-vis jacket for your requirements.
To make your choice right, check out our wide range of hi-vis jackets for your construction industry workers, that are specially designed for construction sites, trusted by global brands, and legally viable for workers.
ACI Workwear offers a variety of workwear products for various industries and is a leading global manufacturer of industrial workwear in India. Contact us now to learn more about our hi-vis jackets for construction industry workers.
