Are you in need of ordering hi-vis vests for your workplace? Hi-vis vests play a crucial role in enhancing safety and visibility in various work environments. Whether you want to distinguish between contractors, visitors, and staff or ensure the visibility of workers during the day or night, choosing the right vest is essential.
In this blog post, we will address some common questions and considerations raised by our client, M. B., regarding hi-vis vests. Let’s dive in!
- M.B.:
“I’m needing to order some different colour hi-vis vests for my workplace to indicate the difference between contractors, visitors, and staff. It says in the blog that the hi-vis standards for the main colours are red, orange, and yellow (lime green). Red isn’t that common, or is the blog referring to pink?”
- Cassie, from Red Roo Australia:
“That’s correct if you need to meet industry standards. Red is not as common as it used to be, with most hi-vis workwear shifting to either yellow or orange. Pink shirts will only meet standards for night-time use (so long as it has a reflective stripe). Do you require hi-vis to be worn day to day generally? Or are you only wanting vests to identify visitors compared to staff?”
- M.B.:
“Definitely day to day. A lot of our visitors and contractors go into our manufacturing plant and warehouse. The staff also go into these places as well day to day.”
- Cassie, from Red Roo Australia:
“To ensure compliance with Australian Standards, it is preferable to stick with the base colours such as yellow, orange, and red when selecting hi-vis vests. These colours provide the necessary visibility and meet the requirements for daytime use.”
- M.B.:
“Is the visibility tape on the vest only necessary for night-time work?”
- Cassie, from Red Roo Australia:
“Yes, the reflective tape on the vest is primarily intended for night-time work when visibility is reduced. If you are just wearing the vests during the day, then reflective tape is not necessary. However, if you have forklifts or other machinery moving around a darker warehouse, having the reflective tape wouldn’t go astray.”
In summary, when choosing hi-vis vests for your workplace, it’s crucial to consider the industry standards, the purpose of the vest (e.g., identifying visitors, contractors, or staff), and the lighting conditions in your work environment. While yellow and orange are the most common colours, red is less frequently used in modern hi-vis workwear.
If you have any further questions or require additional assistance, feel free to reach out to us!
Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog post is based on a chat conversation with a client and is intended for informational purposes only. It is always recommended to consult relevant safety standards and regulations before making any decisions regarding personal protective equipment (PPE) for your workplace.
