HiVis Supply

Street Signs - What you Thought You Knew

2012-02-29T20:17:00.000-08:00

Did you know that an "aging population" is taking over the U. S. roadways? Check out these statistics:

A person 65 years-old needs 4X the amount of light to see at night compared to a 25 year-old.
By 2025, The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety projects that 1 out of 4 drivers will be 65 or older.
The larger the sign, and increased retroreflectivity, allows for quicker decision-making for older drivers and faster response times by emergency personnel, allowing them to more easily read and understand signs thus reducing travel times to emergency situations.
More than 50 percent of traffic accidents resulting in fatalities occur at night. Increased retroreflectivity helps to address this issue.

Street Signs

There are no requirements to replace “perfectly good signs” with new signs because of the mixed case standard. The requirements for mixed case letters in street signs generally apply when signs are replaced because of normal wear and tear. Thus, there is no added cost associated with this requirement.

Many media reports are factually incorrect when they state that signs must be replaced by January 2012. The only requirement for this date is that roadway owners have a sign management plan in place.

In 2000, the MUTCD established recommendations for minimum letter heights on street name signs. The MUTCD recommends 6” initial letter height for roads with speed limits of 40 mph or less with an option of 4” initial letter height for streets with speed limit 25 mph or less. Agencies need to evaluate and decide by January 2012 whether or not to use the recommended letter height or use an engineering study or engineering judgment to decide that a smaller letter height is acceptable.

In 2003, the MUTCD added a recommendation for letter heights of street name signs on multilane roads with speed limits greater than 40 mph. The MUTCD recommends 8” initial letter heights for post mounted and 12” letter height for overhead street name signs. Agencies need to evaluate and decide by December 2018 whether or not to use the recommended letter height or use an engineering study or engineering judgment to decide that a smaller letter height is acceptable.

Brilliant Series Class 2 Heavy Duty Vest

The Brilliant Series vests from ML Kishigo provide maximum visibility with a high visibility background material and 2" wide VizLite reflective tape with contrasting color, making it ANSI/ISEA 107 Class 2 compliant. This vest also utilizes Brilliant Trim reflective edging which considerably improves the vest's low light visibility. The reflective piping improves recognition of the wearer by distinguishing their silhouette from the other stationary objects around them. The vest is constructed of a durable and breathable 100% polyester mesh. Vest features include: zipper closure, mic tabs on chest, 2-tier pencil pocket, flapped radio pocket, inside patch pockets, outside cargo pockets with adjustable flaps, and reinforced webbing for added strength. Available in both high visibility Lime or Orange. Sizes M-5XL.

HiVis Supply is a reseller of high visibility apparel including hivis vests, ANSI Class 2 and ANSI Class 3 for a variety of job duties like mining, surveying, forestry and power generator construction.

Minimum Sign Retroreflectivity Timeline

2012-02-28T12:48:00.001-08:00

Deadlines were established in 2007 to implement minimum levels of retroreflectivity for signage per the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD).

Maintaining Minimum Retroreflectivity

1. January 22, 2012: By this date, roadway owners must adopt a plan to ensure that their signs meet Minimum Levels of Retroreflectivity by the dates cited below. The FHWA lists 5 options, among which are simple visual inspection and blanket replacement of groups of signs at the end of their “useful life” as stated by the manufacturer.

2. January 22, 2015: Regulatory and Warning Signs and Post-Mounted Signs must meet retroreflectivity requirements.

3. January 22, 2018: Overhead and Street Name signs must meet retroreflectivity requirements. If street name signs meet retroreflectivity requirements and are all CAPITAL letters, they may remain in service for the remainder of their useful life. They never have to be changed out only because of the capital letter/mixed case issue.

FHWA estimated the cost for making these retroreflectivity improvements throughout the entire United States to be $37 million dollars over a 10 year period. The reason that this figure is lower than some estimates reported in the media is that the implementation timetable detailed above was designed to roughly coincide with the useful life of existing signs. Thus, it is likely that most of them would have been replaced anyway.

For more information, check out the Sign Retroreflectivity Toolkit.

Also, check out the FHWA Sign Visibility page.

Fleece Lined Bomber Jacket

The fleece lined bomber jacket from ML Kishigo is ANSI/ISEA Class 3 compliant, and features a durable, waterproof shell with a fleece liner and fleece lined hood. In addition to the high visibility color material, the jacket also utilizes black material in the areas which most commonly get dirty - helping the jacket maintain a bright and clean appearance. The fleece lined hood is both removable and can also be hidden. Also includes, 2" wide 3M Scotchlite reflective material, right chest wallet pocket, left chest radio pocket, zipper slash side pockets and drawstring hood. Available in high visibility Lime and Orange; sizes M-5XL.

HiVis Supply is a reseller of high visibility apparel including ANSI approved clothing, safety vests and traffic vests for a variety of job duties like roadside construction, manufacturing and plant assembly.

8 Tips for Road Safety in Construction Zones

2012-01-25T20:06:00.000-08:00

The Great American Highway is decaying - it's crumbling, a part of the national infrastructure that badly needs a facelift. That said, highway construction zones are popping up everywhere.

Drivers must put up with long delays, lane changes, congestion and ultimately frustration while commuting. And sometimes construction zones are unavoidable, so drivers have to take care, caution and extra time to get to where they're going safely.

Being a safe driver comes with the responsibility to exercise caution, good judgment and put workers first in highway construction zones.

Here are some best practices for entering into and driving through highway construction areas:

Give yourself adequate time to get where you're going. Ever notice you hit every red light only when you're late?
Check the traffic patterns on TV, radio or internet websites prior to departure. You may even be able to plan a route around heavy traffic or construction areas.
Take the time to read the signs. Signs can tell you how fast to go, what lies ahead and when congestion should clear up. they'll also tell you when you've exited the zone.
Use your headlights even in the daytime. Making your vehicle more visible also helps roadside workers.
Keep a safe distance. Unexpected stops are prevalant in construction zones and rear-end collisions are commonplace.
Obey flaggers.
No texting while driving. Talking on a cell phone, tuning the radio, eating, reading, or other similarly distracting activities can quickly lead to an accident.
And most of all - SLOW DOWN! Many accidents can be avoided just by going a little slower. This increases your reaction time, and allows workers to more safely maneuver throughout the workzone.

With a little more care and caution, we can lower the risks of injury to roadside workers, and improve our nation's highways for generations to come.

5 States with the Highest Number of Work Zone Fatalities

2012-01-01T17:15:00.000-08:00

The 2010 crash fatalities per state have been published by Work Zone Safety. They report that there were a total of 32,885 total crashes in the 50 states (not including Puerto Rico), with 576 crashes in work zones for the year.

Here are the 5 states with the highest number of crashes in work zones:

Texas – 96 work zone fatalities – 2,902 total = 3.3% work zone crash fatalities
Georgia - 57 work zone fatalities – 1,187 total = 4.8% work zone crash fatalities
Florida - 43 work zone fatalities – 2,398 total = 1.7% work zone crash fatalities
California – 41 work zone fatalities – 2,671 total = 1.5% work zone crash fatalities
Illinois - 32 work zone fatalities – 895 total = 3.5% work zone crash fatalities

These 5 states represent 251 of the 576 (43.5%) of the total work zone crash fatalities for 2010.

Alaska, Delaware, Hawaii and New Hampshire and North Dakota all reported 0 incidents of work zone related fatalities.

Alaska, the District of Columbia, Rhode Island and Vermont only registered double-digit traffic fatalities not work-zone related.

From 2009 to 2010, there were:

About 1,000 fewer overall fatalities overall - 33,883 in 2009 and 32,885 in 2010
About 100 fewer work zone fatalities 680 to 576
Texas went down from 109 to 96
Florida – down from 82 to 43
California – down from 46 to 41
Georgia – up from 32 to 57
Illinois – up from 31 to 32

Wikipedia estimates these states will have the largest total populations in 2011: California, Texas, New York, Florida and Illinois.

HiVis Supply wishes you a safe and happy 2012, where work zone fatalities are zero. There is no reason for work zone fatalities, and we believe they can all be prevented by awareness, discipline, slower driving and hi-visibility clothing and safety gear.

3 Ways to Prepare for Winter Drivers - Part 2 - The Pedestrians

2011-11-29T18:08:00.001-08:00

In last week's installment, we talked about preparing for winter road conditions as a driver, including maintenance on your vehicle, and mental preparation for a hazardous environment.

We all know that driving in winter is challenging. But what can you do as a roadside worker, construction worker, flagger, crosswalk guard, bicyclist or pedestrian to keep yourself out of harm's way?

1. Cyclists - Make sure your bike head and seatlights are in working order. These lights must be working properly and cover north, south, east and western exposures, and bright enough to be seen in tough conditions. Get a mirror and reflectors, both are inexpensive and useful. Remember to ride against traffic so you can react to what's happening ahead of you, and most of all, always don hi-visibility gear such as safety vests, signal lights and armbands.

2. Pedestrians - Use sidewalks whenever possible and take off your earphones, or at least lower the volume so you can hear the ambient noise around you. Use crosswalks and wait for signal hands to change before entering the roadway. And, as with cyclists, walk towards oncoming traffic for the ability to make quick self-preservation decisions. If you walk regularly, there are hi-vis t-shirts and mesh safety vests for warmer weather, and fluorescent sweatshirts, even hivis parkas with retro-reflective material and reflective stripes for you die-hards who will walk and workout in the most extreme conditions.

3. Flaggers, Construction Workers and Roadside Workers - As we've said before, he key to staying safe is staying visible. Hi Vis clothing, hi-vis apparel, high-visibility jackets, pants and accessories are the absolute best way to keep safe during the winter months. Flaggers are your first line of defense if you're a part of of roadside construction crew, but who's going to defend the flaggers? By simply being on the road, you're at the mercy of vehicles, no matter how safe you act or work, but you absolutely must be seen in high visibility clothing and hi vis accessories. And, depending on the speed of the vehicles near or around you, you may need a different class of hi-vis safety vest, or high-vis jacket.

Check out safety vests, Hivis apparel, hi-vis accessories, and traffic safety apparatus at HiVis Supply. The holidays are here, and you need to stay safe while at work or out on the roadways.

6 Ways to Get Ready for Winter Part 1 - The Driver

2011-11-21T18:46:00.001-08:00

Getting ready for winter road conditions early is everyone's job. Don't wait until it's too late and you're caught or stuck on the roads and unprepared. This goes for everyone including drivers, pedestrians, cyclists or roadside construction workers - but mostly for responsible drivers.

Driving in winter is challenging and creates numerous hazards. It's darker, the weather is usually worse, and can be extremely hazardous including freezing rain, icy roads, strong winds, snow, sleet, runoff, and heavy fog, not to mention the extreme brightness snow can cause when the sun is at its peak.

So what can you do to get prepared early and drive safely in the winter?

Have your car serviced - including getting all of the fluids changed, and windshield wipers checked. This also includes the battery that will take a beating.
Make sure you don't drive when you can't see - how many times have you pulled out because you're going to be late to work while squinting through an unclear windshield?
Make sure you have the proper accessories - A scraper for your windshield, rear window and side view mirrors for blind spots. And don't forget the jumper cables - long warm ups, use of headlights, and everything on can work to drain a battery.
Slow down - The faster you're going, the longer it takes to slow down, and this principle multiplies in severe weather.
Keep a safe distance between you and the car in front of you - Make sure there are three seconds between you and the car ahead of you in good driving conditions, and further in bad.
Turn your lights on - Take all the precautions you can to see and be seen on the road, including running your lights in the daytime.

HiVis Supply is a reseller of high visibility garments including several Class II ANSI women's hivis vests and jackets including this Utility Pro® Pullover, safety vest, Parka and Jacket.

High-visibility Clothing for Highway Workers Mandatory by Dec. 31

2011-10-26T20:00:00.000-07:00

photo by Earl Dotter

On December 16, 2009, The Federal Register Final Rule and revised document of the 2009 Manual on Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) was released, marking the final phase-in for compliance on all public roads that are not federal-aid highways by Dec. 31, 2011. The regulation for federal-aid highways has been in force since November 2008.

The purpose of the regulation is to decrease the likelihood of worker fatalities or injuries caused by motor vehicles and construction vehicles and equipment while working within the right-of-way on highways whether they’re federally aided or not. The definitions described are as follows:

Workers - people on foot whose duties place them within the right-of-way of a Federal-aid highway, such as highway construction and maintenance forces, survey crews, utility crews, responders to incidents within the highway right-of-way, and law enforcement personnel when directing traffic, investigating crashes, and handling lane closures, obstructed roadways, and disasters within the right-of-way of a Federal- aid highway.

Close proximity - within the highway right-of-way on Federal-aid highways.

High-visibility safety apparel - personal protective safety clothing that is intended to provide conspicuity during both daytime and nighttime usage, and that meets the Performance Class 2 or 3 requirements of the ANSI/ ISEA 107–2004 publication entitled ‘‘American National Standard for High-Visibility Safety Apparel and Headwear.’’ Go to the U.S. National Archives for more information.

The rule for federal aid highways states that “all workers within the right-of-way of a Federal-aid highway who are exposed either to traffic (vehicles using the highway for purposes of travel) or to construction equipment within the work area shall wear high-visibility safety apparel."

HiVis Supply is a reseller of high visibility apparel including ANSI approved clothing, safety vests, traffic vests, hivis vests, ANSI Class 2, ANSI Class 3, ANSI 107-2004, ANSI 207, ANSI Class E, public safety vests. Visit our store for all of your high visibility apparel needs, call or email.

5 tips for Winter Driving Safety

2011-10-24T05:35:00.000-07:00

With autumn waning, and winter just around the corner, driving becomes a major factor in road and safety awareness. Keeping your automobile in good working condition over the winter months allows for a higher degree of safety, and staying visible is no flippant task.

Pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists and drivers all need to do their part because seeing each other is the first tenant of safety. Hi visibility safety vests should be worn by walkers, cyclists, school crosswalk workers, road-side construction and first responder teams.

Here are some simple precautions drivers can take in reference to maintenance and driving safety:

Get a tune-up – Avoid, to the best of your ability, having roadside issues in the first place. Maintaining a vehicle will lessen the chances of becoming stranded, thereby creating a dangerous situation.

Use your lights – In some countries, they use their headlights at all times, and why not? It’s just a simple habit that you could get into, but especially in the darker, winter months.

Check your tires – Wear and tear on your tires happens in the summer months as well, but remember, tires are your only contact with the road. In the winter, not only rainy but slushy and snowy wintry weather adds to the driving danger.

Have your brakes checked – You may need to stop readily, and having your brakes in tip-top condition is crucial. Luckily, sometimes all you need are pads replaced, and replacement of pads saves the discs. Maintaining your brakes will save you a lot of money over the long haul also.

Maintain a safe distance – This one goes hand in hand with having your brakes checked. When you have good brakes, you know that you can stop when you need to – in perfect conditions. But in wintry weather, conditions are often wet, slippery and icy, causing brake distances to be longer. Stay further back than you regularly would and remember to look ahead of the car you’re immediately behind.

Hi Vis Supply is dedicated to serving the public through safety education but also by providing solutions to keep you safe when visibility is low – whether you’re taking a walk, cleaning a parking lot or repairing America’s road system. Check out these and other products for pedestrian and driver safety.

"Texting While Driving Kills."

2011-10-18T10:09:00.000-07:00

On Wednesday, May 19, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon was joined by US Ambassador to the UN Susan Rice, Russian Ambassador to the UN Vitaly Churkin, US Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood, and FocusDriven founder and President Jennifer Smith. Together they announced a Global Call to Action on Ending Distracted Driving.
Secretary General Ban Ki-moon urgently insisted “We Must Instill a Culture of Road Safety.”

He then proceeded to give some statistics on car fatalities:

1.2 million people around the world die in car accidents
Nearly 50,000,000 injuries
90% are from low or little income countries

Car accidents are now the top global killer of young people ages 15-19 with factors that include:

High speeds
Drunk driving
No seat belt or child restraint used
No motorcycle helmet used

The General Secretary stated that, "Use of a mobile phone while driving increases the risk of a crash by 4 times, (while in) some countries 90% of drivers report using mobile phones while driving.
"Culturally," he said, "We must make 'distracted driving unacceptable' by the government and socially unacceptable to the public.
“I want every driver in the world to get the message, ‘Texting while driving kills.’”

The UN initiative will work to promote road safety and while prohibiting nearly 40,000 UN employees from texting while driving UN vehicles. The UN General Assembly has also declared a “Decade of Action for Road Safety,” including a message to all drivers of the world; “Don’t let using a mobile for a few seconds make you and others immobile for life.”

The US Ambassador to the UN Susan Rice continued to say that in the US in 2008, nearly 6,000 people died in distracted driving crashes, but the statistics are hard to come by, since it isn't always readily apparent the reason why the accident took place.

She also said that studies by researchers at the University of Utah show that using a cell phone while driving delays a driver’s reactions as much as having alcohol in your blood up to the legal limit of 0.8%.

Hi Vis Supply concerns itself with all matters pertaining to roadways, particularly with that of roadside construction, and increasingly that of distracted driving, and believe that awareness will lead to prevention in the US and across the globe.

Retro-Reflectors for Enhanced Hi-Vis

2011-08-31T04:27:00.000-07:00

One of the most important aspects of high-visibility safety apparel is the “Retro-reflective” tape. Adam Savage and Jamie Hyneman of Mythbusters define the difference between reflectivity and retro-reflectivity while also debunking the myth that the moon landing was staged.

Wikipedia describes it this way: A retro-reflector (sometimes called a retroflector or cataphote) is a device or surface that reflects light back to its source with a minimum scattering of light. An electromagnetic wave front is reflected back along a vector that is parallel to but opposite in direction from the wave's source. The device or surface's angle of incidence is greater than zero. This is unlike a planar mirror, which does this only if the mirror is exactly perpendicular to the wave front, having a zero angle of incidence.

other applications and/or places you'll find retro-reflectors include:
- cat's eyes
- bicycles reflectors
- raised pavement markers
- traffic signs
- safety and emergency apparel and gear including lifeboats

3M™ Scotchlite™ Reflective Material is recognized as the leading high performance retro-reflective material for enhancing worker visibility. You can find more information about this material at 3M.

Visit Hi Vis Supply for all of your hi visibility needs including all classes of safety vests with retro-reflective tape for superior safety.

Hi Vis Safety and "Move Over, America" Laws

2011-08-25T18:37:00.000-07:00

Police officers, firefighters and EMT's put their lives on the line every day in an attempt to keep civilians safe and out of harm's way. They are sworn to "Serve and Protect" - so shouldn't they garner the same honor and respect from us?

Unfortunately, out of ignorance mostly, we civilians often act in a dangerous manner, especially while driving. The chart below shows that although 40 states have "Move Over" laws, laws that require drivers to change lanes for the safety of public servants working on the side of the road, more than 10 police officers have been struck and killed over the past 12 years.

According to a national poll by Mason Dixon Polling & Research, sponsored by the National Safety Commission:

• 71 percent of Americans have not heard of “Move Over” laws;
• 86 percent support enacting “Move Over” laws in all 50 states; and
• 90 percent believe traffic stops and roadside emergencies are dangerous for law enforcement and first responders

"Move Over, America" is a partnership originally founded in 2007 by the National Safety Commission, the National Sheriffs' Association and the National Association of Police Organizations. Most recently, the partnership has also received the full support of the American Association of State Troopers. The campaign is the first nationally coordinated effort to educate Americans about "Move Over" laws and how they help protect the law enforcement officers who risk their lives protecting the public.

Hi Vis Supply is dedicated to promoting awareness about the dangers of roadside and highway work and carries a wide array of safety vests and accessories to keep your employees safe in dangerous places.

5 Sites for Roadway Worker Safety

2011-07-31T18:37:00.000-07:00

Each year, statistics show that roadway fatalities for highway roadside workers continue even with standards and awareness programs. and the deaths of these highwaymen aren't always what you'd expect. In 2011, there's been at least one death in a hit and run, and yet another road worker was struck and killed by a trolley.

These fatalities took place in California, but they could have been anywhere. Here are 5 resources for finding information on tips and training for highway roadside workers and crews who want to return home alive.

1. The National Workzone Information Clearinghouse The National Work Zone Safety Information Clearinghouse is dedicated to providing the transportation construction industry and the general public with comprehensive information to improve motorist, worker and pedestrian safety in roadway work zones. Here you'll find videos, social media sources, articles training and tips to keep roadside workers safe.

2. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration NHTSA was established by the Highway Safety Act of 1970 to carry out safety programs previously administered by the National Highway Safety Bureau. Specifically, the agency directs the highway safety and consumer programs established by the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1966, the Highway Safety Act of 1966, the 1972 Motor Vehicle Information and Cost Savings Act, and succeeding amendments to these laws. Dedicated to achieving the highest standards of excellence in motor vehicle and highway safety, NHTSA works daily to help prevent crashes and their attendant costs, both human and financial. The agency strives to exceed the expectations of its customers through its core values of Integrity, Service, and Leadership.

3. United States Department of Transportation The mission of the Department is to serve the United States by ensuring a fast, safe, efficient, accessible and convenient transportation system that meets our vital national interests and enhances the quality of life of the American people, today and into the future.

Statutory Authority - The Department of Transportation was established by an act of Congress on October 15, 1966. The Department’s first official day of operation was April 1, 1967.

4. Federal Highway Administration the FHWA's mission is to improve mobility on our Nation's highways through national leadership, innovation, and program delivery.

5. Distraction.Gov Also a part of the U.S. Department of Transportation - heeding America’s call to end the dangerous practice of distracted driving on our nation’s roadways. Distracted driving is a serious, life-threatening practice and we will not rest until we stop it. We are leading the effort but you are the key to preventing distracted driving. The message is simple – Put it down! We will work across the spectrum with private and public entities as well as advocacy groups to tackle distracted driving, and, we will lead by example. We have taken first steps -- The President’s Executive Order has established a new way to approach driving – by putting your device down and paying attention to the task at hand.

Hi Vis Supply is dedicated to educating everyone on the dangers of roadside work, and keeping our hard-working men and women visible to the dangers around them, especially on our Nation's roadways. Visit our site for all of your HiVis needs.

Hi Visibility Products for the Summer

2011-07-25T05:12:00.000-07:00

Roadside safety is always a dangerous situation, but add the summer heat and you've now got another consideration to be made - not only being seen, but also staying cool in the summer sun. the body sweats in order to cool itself off, so wicking micro-fiber clothing helps keep you comfortable and compliant at the same time. Having lightweight hi-vis clothing helps protect your body and keeps you cool. Hi Vis Supply carries ML Kishigo products for roadside safety including summertime clothing as seen in the video above.

Below, the Ultra-Cool black bottom mesh vest is designed with the top features of today's ANSI Class 2 vest, but also includes the unique black bottom design. The solid black material is incorporated into the areas which most commonly get dirty - helping the vest to maintain a bright and clean appearance. Constructed from 100% Ultra-Cool polyester mesh material, the vest is durable and offers long-lasting brightness. Other features include a zipper closure, dual mic tabs, radio pocket, multi-tier pencil pocket, two lower patch pockets with flaps and two inside patch pockets. This vest is also ANSI/ISEA 107 Class 2 compliant.

Cool Black Bottom Mesh Vest

The Truth about Flame-Resistant Apparel

2011-06-20T19:29:00.000-07:00

Valuable Tips for Making an Informed Purchase

With all the choices out there, developing a flame-resistant garment program is both challenging and expensive. Many brands look similar, and virtually all FR manufacturers boast apparel that meets various standards such as NFPA 70E or NFPA 2112.

As with other critical safety equipment, you often get what you pay for with FR. That's why Westex™ has developed a series of videos to help you know the difference and make an informed decision. They encourage you to watch our latest video which provides detailed information on arc flash and flash fire hazards, along with relevant standards and test methods.

HiVis Supply is pleased to provide this education about FR clothing so that our customers can be better informed when making their purchases, for the safety of their workers.

The Importance of High Visibility Workwear

2011-06-20T19:01:00.000-07:00

4-Season Ultra-Cool Adjustable Mesh Vests

Wearing safety vests is one of the best ways to make sure that you won't be injured on the job, in the parking lot, on the highway - even on a bike or motorcycle. You can protect yourself from injury or even death simply by donning a very lightweight, safety orange or lime vest with reflective striping based on the area you're working in and the speeds of the vehicles and machinery around you.

Manufacturers make it from brightly colored retro-reflective material, and since the visibility of any driver is impaired at night, drivers may might not see people on the road while looking generally for other obstacles and being blinded by oncoming traffic.

Reckless drivers can also easily hit a pedestrian even when they are on the pedestrian walk, so to avoid such accidents from happening, even pedestrians are encouraged to wear reflective clothing to make them more visible. As long as a person is wearing the clothing every driver that passes them will notice their presence. It is really hard for the item to blend into any surrounding so it will adequately serve its purpose.

But accidents are not restricted to the highway - employees also get injured at work, with the end result typically due to failure to adequately protect themselves. During construction, every person who is on site has to wear the reflective clothing. The piece of clothing is a major part of their equipment so it should never be ignored. Construction workers run the risk of being hit by drivers or being wounded at their place of work. This means that their employers need to make it their prime concern to keep them safe.

Protective gear comes in many colors such as neon, yellow, orange and green, and many combinations of striping especially for particular professions such as highway workers, crossing guards and surveyors. A person can choose whichever size or shape they find appealing. It is very hard for a person to get injured when they have the clothing on.

At HiVis Supply, you can choose from hundreds of safety vests - Class 1, 2 and 3, flame-resistant, mesh, sleeves and no sleeves - the choice is yours. Or choose a hi visibility hat or t-shirt depending on the climate and situation you find yourself in. Many employers will have you overprotected just in case, and some employers leave it up to their workers to decide which vest to choose. we just want you to make the right choice, and keep yourself safe while working hard out there.

Five Common Workplace Safety Issues

2011-06-20T18:19:00.000-07:00

ANSI Class 2 Short Waist Mesh FR Safety Vest

The workplace can be a dangerous place, with there being more hazards than people often realize. There are many accidents in the workplace each year due to unsafe work practices, staff not being trained to use equipment or machinery properly or even simple things, like being tired or overworked. It is important for all businesses to take their Occupational Health and Safety seriously and it is a good idea to deal with Safety Management Consulting groups to make sure they are on the right track.

Confined Spaces

A confined working space can become a workplace safety issue. The space itself may be dangerous due to its construction or the location may not be safe. A space may also be a dangerous area to undertake certain types of work. For example it is hazardous to work in a confined space with toxic gases, vapours or fumes. Such work should be undertaken outside or in a large area with lots of fresh air circulating. Staff should also wear the correct safety equipment, such as face masks or breathing ventilators.

Fires
Some workplaces are more prone to fires than others, depending on the nature of the business. As an employer fire safety should be a number one priority and steps undertaken to protect staff against the threat of fire. Staff should also be fully trained in case there is a fire, knowing where the escape routes are and where they should assemble.
Noise
An overexposure to loud noise can cause damage to a person's hearing, even rendering them completely deaf over time. In many factories the noise of some machinery is extremely loud, and staff must be given the right ear protection to wear. Noise should not be louder than 140 decibels and staff should not be exposed to it for prolonged periods of time. If it is at all possible machinery should be fixed to tone down the noise, or have noise buffers put in place.
Injuries
Unfortunately workplace injuries occur everyday. Some are just small injuries, others are more serious, and sometimes they are even fatal. Employers must do everything they can to avoid their staff from being injured. Measures employers can take include making sure machines have safety guards, that staff are well educated in the use of dangerous machinery and that their business compiles with occupational health and safety standards. Employers can also support staff who are injured to return to work as soon as possible and make sure they receive the right compensation during the time they are injured.
Electrical Hazards
It is not just staff working with electricity, like electricians, that can be exposed to electrical hazards. Staff need to be aware of any risks that may arise from using electricity. Some industries will be more at risk than others but it is a risk that is not to be disregarded. An employer needs to make sure that there are no faulty electrical equipment being used, no loose wires or water lying around anywhere that electricity is being used.

To learn more about Workplace Safety, check out HiVis Supply or Summit Sign and Safety, and check Self Insurance and Safety Management Consulting.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Louis_D_Dale

Traffic, Roadway and More!

2011-05-25T19:21:00.000-07:00

HiVis Supply proudly carries Accuform Traffic and Roadway products including "No Texting While Driving" signs and labels, collapsible cones, the Tilt-Adjust sign stand and numerous roll-up sign legends to go along with it.

But no facility traffic safety program is complete without paddle signs, wheel chocks, and barricades from other suppliers such as Cortina and ML Kishigo.

For the maintenance and road crews at your plant or facility, remember personal safety lights from Marpac and high visibility safety vests. HiVis carries Class 1, 2 and 3 safety and traffic vests depending on traffic density and posted speed limits.

Professional Surveyor's Vests

2011-04-26T05:33:00.000-07:00

The American Surveyor is a website for surveyors by surveyors. It contains news, newsletters, a directory, store and tons of other information. You can subscribe to their magazine, learn about new products and more. The blog is written for land surveyors by land surveyors. Topics include surveying, mapping, cartography, GPS, GNSS and other geospatial technology hot topics. There is even a videos tab. Here is a video using LIDAR (light detection and ranging). The technique uses laser pulses to construct super-precise 3-D images. It’s similar to radar, constantly sending out and receiving signals, but LIDAR can map nearly anything. It’s increasing the accuracy of aerial maps tremendously; indeed, the U.S. Geological Survey is currently working to remap every state with LIDAR. It’s even been used to make music videos—watch Radiohead’s “House of Cards."

HiVis Supply carries class 2 and class 3 surveyor's vests by ML Kishigo, Vinatronics and 3A Safety. ML Kishigo has a full line of professional surveyors vests designed to accommodate surveyors in any environment. Equally durable and functional, their "tougher-than-tough" Surveyors Vests are packed with high-performance features including reinforced pockets and webbing, storage pouches, heavy-duty openings and nylon trim, reinforced webbing, and Ultra Cool™ mesh panel. All mostly made in the U.S. Download the Kishigo Surveyor's Vest brochure.

Brilliant Series Class 2 Heavy Duty Vest

2011-04-26T04:56:00.000-07:00

The Brilliant Series vests from ML Kishigo provides maximum visibility. In addition to the high visibility background material and the 2" wide VizLite reflective tape with contrasting color, the vest also utilizes Brilliant Trim reflective edging which considerably improves the vest's low light visibility. The vest is constructed of a durable and breathable 100% polyester mesh and the vest features include a zipper closure, mic tabs on chest, 2-tier pencil pocket, flapped radio pocket, inside patch pockets, outside cargo pockets with adjustable flaps, and reinforced webbing for added strength. The vest is available in both high visibility lime or orange. It's also ANSI/ISEA 107 Class 2 compliant.

By choosing a vest which is above what is generally necessary, you will ensure the safety of your employees and help to make them as secure in their job as possible. Even an ANSI class 3 surveyors vest can provide you with an abundance of visibility, typically with some additional options that will rate them for breakaway material.

The need for a safety ANSI class 2 vest for their job would include individuals who are working when the weather conditions are poor and visibility may be low. These are also generally preferred for when traffic near the worker will exceed 25 mph. Some of the most popular professions which use these types of vests would include airport ground workers, law enforcement officials, railroad workers and crossing guards.

Visit HiVis Supply for all of your high visibility apparel needs.

Black Series Windbreaker

2011-03-22T05:34:00.000-07:00

The Black Series Windbreaker is the ML Kishigo new break out item for 2011. Never before has there been such a successful blend of work wear functionality with active wear style. Impressive features and attention to detail make this jacket a hit.

Hi-Vis Supply is proud to carry ML Kishigo products as well as other top hi-vis brands such as 3A Safety, Accuform Signs, Cornerstone, Cortina Safety Products Group, Flagstaff, Marpac Corporation, Safety Gear USA, Utility Pro Wear, Vinatronics and VIZ-Life.

About Hi-Visibility Clothing

2011-03-22T05:05:00.000-07:00

Construction workers and emergency services personnel, along with cyclists and joggers most commonly wear high-visibility clothing. You can find high-visibility clothing in most stores and catalogs that sell work wear or bicycle equipment. Such hi-vis apparel enables people to see the wearer in poor lighting conditions or while on the job, to prevent accidents. One of the most traditional forms of this product, a fluorescent orange or yellow vest with reflective stripes, makes the wearer stand out at night.

ANSI Class 3 Lightweight Waterproof Rain Jackets

In the United States, high-visibility safety clothing must meet standards created by ANSI/ISEA, which mandate as of 2010 that "a garment's background material, and retro reflective or combined-performance material, must be tested and certified by an independent, accredited third-party laboratory." Makers of such clothing must verify and certify that the apparel meets the standards.

In the 1930's, 3M realized that spherical beads that made the silver screen silver could create a reflective strip of paint, and then tape. In 1968, brothers Hugh and Bill Rowland at the Reflexite company began processing reflective sheeting using small cube-cornered prisms, instead of spheres. Both shapes remain in use to this day.

The fluorescent color makes the wearer visible during the day, while the reflective strips make it more likely the motorists will see him at night, increasing his safety. A 2004 paper in the British Medical Journal showed that motorcyclists were 37% less likely to be in an accident when wearing fluorescent and reflective clothing. And, according to high-visibility vest seller ICU-UCMe, nighttime motorists see a vest wearer approximately three seconds earlier than they see someone not wearing a vest. Emergency services personnel wear high-visibility clothes to be clearly seen in dark or smoky conditions.

High-visibility clothing comes in three classes, determined by the American National Standards Institute and International Safety Equipment Association (ANSI/ISEA). Class I garments, typically worn by parking lot attendants, attract motorists' attention, while Class II garments meet higher visibility needs, with employers typically providing them for people such as airport baggage handlers. Class III, the most effective type, ranks as the highest visibility clothing, often used by emergency services.

Hi-Vis Supply can serve all of your hi-vis apparel needs including the Black Series Windbreaker by ML Kishigo.

This article came from Effectiveness of High Visibility Clothing by Ishbel Macleod, eHow Contributor updated: July 06, 2010 read more...

Mandating the MUTCD Final Rule for High Visibility

2011-02-14T19:36:00.000-08:00

This excerpt comes from an article written on the ML Kishigo blog Understanding the MUTCD Final Rule.

Proper understanding of compliance issues is just as important to the smooth operation of companies that are mandated to comply, as it is to the safety of their employees. A clearer picture of the MUTCD regulations it defines is essential.

On December 16th 2009, the Federal Register Final Rule and the revised 2009 Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) were released. The ruling establishes the MUTCD as the primary regulatory document mandating the use of high-visibility apparel for all affected workers in the United States. The primary aspect of the ruling however, lies in the mandated class of garment and the environments in which affected workers are required to comply.

In October of 2008 the Federal Highway Administration, or FHWA, mandated the use of Class 2 and Class 3 high visibility garments on all Federal-Aid highways. The new MUTCD ruling solidifies the FHWA mandate, which took affect in 2008. Additionally, between the time of the October mandate and the publication of the MUTCD ruling, the FHWA expanded the mandate of the affected regulation areas from just Federal-aid highways to cover all roads which are open to public travel. Compliance to this amended regulation will be phased in until it takes full effect on December 31st, 2011. The one exclusion is private property in which you pass through a traffic control gate.

To read the article in its entirety, click here.

HiVis for Wintry Weather

2011-02-14T19:17:00.000-08:00

WorkSport 400 Jackets

The AccuWeather.com Chief Long Range Forecaster Joe Bastardi recently predicted that we’re nowhere close to done with the terrible weather of 2011. The cold weather is expected to hold through middle of February across much of the eastern two-thirds of the country. The chief also expects wintry events to last well into the spring, and says that this winter could end up being the coldest for the nation as a whole since the 1980s.

The ML Kishigo Black Bottom Bomber, 350 Pro Series Parka and the WorkSport 400 Jacket all keep you warm while maintaining flexibility in the winter. These coats are perfect for roadside construction, surveying, and just about any job that requires you to stay warm and stay visible at the same time. But they all have the versatility a worker needs when the weather changes, while staying compliant, and most of all – safe when it’s needed most. All three coats are ANSI Class III compliant, which means they’re all made with the mandatory retro-reflectivity, and state-of-the-art 2" 3M Scotchlite reflective material for excellent visibility in high-speed areas. Other areas where these jackets come in handy include the utilities department, sewer maintenance, electrical line construction and wind energy construction, just to name a few.

The HiVis knit beanie, also from ML Kishigo, also provides an added level of warmth for your head, where you’ll need maximum protection from the elements. These beanies are made from a soft, 100% polyester knit material. The two stripes of reflective thread are woven into the beanie - allowing for greater flexibility over the traditional sewn on reflective tape, and fit snugly to the head for added protection. Get one free when you purchase an ML Kishigo coat, for a limited time.

HiVis Supply is here to help you with all of your high visibility apparel needs including hi-vis coats, hi visibility clothing, parkas, safety and traffic vests and more. Visit Summit Sign and Safety, Hi Vis Supply or Summit Slope Signs today!

Hi-Vis for Low Light and Roadside Construction

2011-01-19T04:56:00.000-08:00

Black Series Windbreaker

Every year workers and employees sustain injuries and/or are killed working roadside including highway and pavement workers, construction crews, law enforcement and first responders, incident command - these people all run the risk of not being seen by motorists, careless and fast driving, fellow employees running big equipment and simply blending into their backgrounds. The use of high-visibility safety vests can save lives.

The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) has established standards, ANSI/ISEA 107-2004, for hi-vis vests and other high visibility gear. Such high visibility clothing is available in many forms, the most common being a Class 1 safety vest, Class 2 safety vest or Class 3 safety vest. Otherwise known as a traffic vest or construction vest, this category also includes retro-reflective jackets, reflective sweatshirts and fluorescent T-shirts.

For inclement weather, ANSI jackets, ANSI parkas, fleece-lined bombers and rain gear, or even reflective sweatshirts might do the trick. In warmer times of the year, reflective and fluorescent T-shirts may be more appropriate. Shown above is the Black Series Windbreaker.

ANSI hi-visibility clothing must be visible both by day and night and the ANSI standard sets the amount of reflective material the garment must have. Hi-vis clothing complying with the ANSI standards has become the status quo throughout industry as an effective way to protect workers by increasing their visibility. Also, workers within the right-of-way of a Federal-aid highway near traffic, light or heavy equipment or machinery within the work area are required to wear a ANSI approved reflective clothing such as an ANSI jacket or traffic vest, and possibly additional high visibility safety apparel. Additionally, those workers who would need hi vis clothing include highway workers and pavers, surveyors, equipment and truck drivers, construction and maintenance crews, inspectors, flaggers, incident command and first responders (EMS and firefighters).

Fleece and Teflon® for the Perfect Bomber!

2011-01-12T17:40:00.000-08:00

HiVis Bomber with Zip-out Storm Fleece Liner
Fleece has a natural phobia for water and is inherently warmer than real wool. It's the perfect insulator even when wet (which is really hard to do), and it's breath-ability is almost a flaw since it doesn't stand up to wind too well. And that's where the outer shell comes in to play. Cover fleece with an outer treated with a Teflon® fabric protector and a barrier around each individual fiber is formed, lowering surface tension and allowing the bomber to repel most water- and oil-based liquids. Now the fabric has water and oil repellency without changing the color or feel of the garment. Liquids bead up on this bomber like car wax, and in tests, Teflon® tends to dry faster than untreated fabrics.

Fleece has other important properties also. It's machine washable, dries quickly, a good alternative to natural wool (especially in the case of allergies and can be recycled from itself and even plastic bottles. DuPont™ Teflon® fabric protector products must pass stringent brand assurance criteria outlined in the DuPont Global Specifications and Quality Control Tests. This bomber is only available in hi vis lime in sizes M-5XL.

Additionally, the 350 Pro Series Parka has thermal insulation for added warmth and its seams are sealed. 3M brand two inch silver reflective tape makes these parkas ANSI/ISEA 107 Class 3 compliant. Plus, storm cuffs keep wind and snow out of critical areas in inclement weather. Adjustable cuffs and a hidden collar hood compliment two outside lower slash pockets with zippers and storm flaps; one outside upper radio pocket; one hidden inside wallet pocket with storm flap; and on inside general purpose pocket. The 350 Series Parkas are available in both high visibility lime and orange in sizes M-5XL.

HiVis Supply for all of your High Visibility Needs!

2010-12-29T22:21:00.000-08:00

HiVis Supply is a reseller of high visibility apparel including ANSI approvedclothing as well as a variety of hi-visibility traffic safety vests and incident command vests. We also carry high visibility jackets, windbreakers and rainwear. Our online store gives you access to the top brands including 3A Safety, ML Kishigo, Vinatronics, Checkers Industrial Products, Cornerstone, Cortina Safety Products Group, Flagstaff, KeepSafe, Marpac Corporation, MCR Safety-Memphis Glove, Safety Gear USA, Utility Pro Wear and Viz-Life.

We're proud to offer high visibility apparel for a variety of job duties like roadside construction, manufacturing, plant assembly, mining, surveying, forestry, power generator construction, shipyard construction, warehouse and facility maintenance, utilities department, sewer maintenance, electrical line construction, wind energy construction, ethanol and oil refinery and many others.

HiVis Supply offers great savings and product selection for helping you maintain a safe and OSHA/ANSI compliant work environment. If you're looking for discounted safety equipment or identification products on sale, visit our web specials page or sign up for our email promotions.

Thanks for your support in 2010. If you're new to HiVis Supply, we look forward to partnering with you in 2011! Be safe and highly visible!

The 7-in-1 All Conditions Jacket from SafetyGear™ by PIP

2010-12-29T20:18:00.000-08:00

The 7-in-1 All Conditions Jacket is made for cold weather jacket and its versatility remains unmatched. This high visibility - high safety - and very warm utility jacket offers many options for safety and warmth. Changeable to all seasons, the SafetyGear™ coat can be worn as an ANSI Class 3 jacket - or remove the liner and wear it as a reversible, stand alone ANSI Class 2 vest. It offers a breathable outer shell and removable hood with an external phone pocket, fleece-lined collar on outer garment, velcro adjustable cuffs, zipper closure with storm flap, hand warmer pockets, D-rings for attaching identity tags and reflective 3M tape. the 7-in 1 is available in high-visibility orange or lime and runs the same price for sizes medium through 5XL. Its reflectivity makes it ANSI Class 3 compliant.

Protective Industrial Products focused on expanding its scope beyond hand protection and eyewear this year by introducing some innovative selections to the safety marketplace. “We’re in the middle of a big initiative that will complement our existing apparel offerings,” says Robin Roberts, Vice President of Sales. “We’re expanding our scope beyond hand protection.”

Over the last few years, Roberts says PIP has also strengthened its position in the visibility apparel space, again based on the exposure that such products have achieved in the European market. The manufacturer plans to further leverage that exposure with its newest additions.

Read the rest of the article, The “Head to Toe” Approach here.

HiVis Supply is proud to offer unique and forward thinking products for the hi-vis and safety industries. Visit HiVis Supply for all of your high visibility and safety needs.

Anorak or Parka

2010-12-20T13:16:00.000-08:00

In many parts of the country, different terminology is used for different things. There's the obvious ones like soda vs. pop, but what about when it comes to high visibility, or hi vis cold weather gear, like parka vs. anorak?

Wikipedia says that the words anorak and parka are now often used interchangeably, but when first introduced, they described somewhat different garments, and the distinction is still maintained by some.

Basically, an anorak is a waterproof jacket with a hood and drawstrings at the waist and cuffs, and a parka is a knee-length cold-weather jacket or coat; typically stuffed with down or very warm synthetic fiber, and with a fur-lined hood. Originally an anorak specifically implied a pull-over jacket without a zipper, button or frogged opening, but this distinction is now largely lost, and many garments with a full-length front opening are now described as anoraks. The anorak and parka have been developed from their traditional forms into a number of different designs using modern materials.

The word 'parka' is derived from the Nenets language meaning "animal skin". It first entered the English written record in a 1625 work by Samual Purchas.

The word 'anorak' comes from the Kalaallisut word anoraq, transliterated circa 1924. Its real meaning is "gay beaded item worn by Greenland women or brides in the 1930s". As a fashion statement, it was originally made from nylon, then poplin by 1960, when it featured in Vogue magazine as a fashion item.

350 Pro Series Parkas from HiVis Supply

The 350 Pro Series Parka has seam sealed construction with thermal insulation for added warmth. The parka features 2" 3M brand silver reflective tape. The storm cuff keeps wind and snow out of critical areas. Also includes a hidden collar hood and adjustable cuffs. Pockets: two outside lower slash pockets with zippers and storm flaps; one outside upper radio pocket; one hidden inside wallet pocket with storm flap; and on inside general pupose pocket. Parkas are available in both high visibility lime (9662) and orange (9663), in sizes M-5XL. ANSI/ISEA 107 Class 3 compliant.

Aphorisms in Surveying

2010-12-09T17:30:00.000-08:00

These words of wisdom were shared by Dr. Dick Elgin in an article that appeared in the American Surveyor.

"For many years I have delivered to state surveyor association meetings a seminar on how to improve one's surveying business. Its current revision is based on my 36 years of education, training, experience, buying then operating and growing then selling a surveying and engineering business, and all the accompanying highs and lows that go with a career in surveying. During those 36 years I have collected sayings applicable to operating a surveying/engineering business. I include them in my seminar handouts, and thought perhaps the readers of The American Surveyor would enjoy them as well.

"My only regret is that I did not keep track of the sources of some of these sayings. Some I've heard for years, yelled across our surveying office by my late father (with great emphasis and effect). Others I've read or heard and modified. Others I'm sure are quotes attributable to someone, but I don't know which ones or to whom. To them the readers and I say `thanks for your insight and wisdom.'

• Call them before they call you.
• Under promise. Over deliver.
• Procrastination never solved a problem, it only made one get worse.
• You never get a second chance to make a first impression.
• People don't contract for services with people they don't know.
• Bad clients and bad projects go together.
• Surveyors are more trustworthy than their clients.
• If you don't have much work, it's not because you charge too much.
• Receivables older than 120 days are no longer receivables.
• If you don't have time to do it right, when will you have time to do it over?
• The surveyor's measurements don't end up as complaints to the Licensing Board; mis-communications or lack of communication with the client do.
• When you offend someone in business they will tell ten people. Do a good job they will tell one.
• Never lose an existing client.
• There are good jobs and there are bad jobs. Trust your gut. Don't do the bad jobs.
• I don't know of a surveying company that failed due to charging too much.
• An organization's morale flows from the top down.
• Character is what you are. Reputation is merely what others think you are.
• It's what you learn after knowing it all that counts.
• A leader leads by example whether he knows it or not.
• Leadership is action, not position.

• Don't meet problems as they come, anticipate them.

"These nuggets of wisdom apply to business as well as to life. Enjoy and apply."

A 169Kb PDF of this article as it appeared in the magazine—complete with images—is available by clicking HERE.

HiVis Supply is proud to serve the men and women surveyors of america, and want to keep them safe in the process. For high visibility surveying vests and other hi vis winter apparel, visit HiVis Supply.

High Visibility for Children/Officers Around the World

2010-11-30T10:18:00.000-08:00

Children

They're already doing it in Grimsby (Somerset, England) - donning high visibility safety vests going to and from school. Holly, Theo and Billy Joe think the initiative is "a good idea." It may not be high fashion but a garment to make school pupils visible is aiming to reduce road accidents.

"It is an effective solution to reducing accidents. It's around about 30% or higher reduction in the number of children getting involved in a [road] accident.
"I think the visibility coats are a good idea because when it's dark and if you're coming home from school people will see you crossing the road and in the fog people will see you. So they're very useful. "And also they keep you warm in the snow," added Theo.

A Gloucestershire headline reads "Gloucestershire road safety figures lowest since 1974," and they're attributing these statistics to the increased use of hi-vis apparel along with "targeted road safety advice and training is working across the board," said Councillor Stan Waddington, cabinet member for road safety. Child safety is a leading issue in the US. - children wear safety helmets while riding bikes, so why not high visibility apparel to boot?

Well, at least at Halloween. The Maryland State Highway Administration made reflective safety vests available to parents and guardians of children to help prevent pedestrian accidents involving vehicles on Halloween, according to a news release from the agency (see "Reflective safety vests available for Halloween"). Representative Neil J. Pedersen said, “Unfortunately, on average, about 100 pedestrians are killed every year in traffic crashes in our state.”

Officers
During an inquest of a fatality of an officer in Auckland, the court was told that Mr. Wootton was not wearing a reflectorized safety jacket when he went to lay the spikes, most likely because he only had a matter of seconds to act. Although it was not known if a jacket would have changed the outcome for Mr Wootton, reports from the Department of Labour and the Independent Police Conduct Authority both recommended police review the policy for wearing the jackets.
The Department of Labour said it appeared that the requirement for the jackets to be worn was well known, but was not adhered to by all officers, with some saying they felt making themselves more visible might make them a target. However, Mr Smith said he did not believe there should be an option for officers not to wear them. "If an officer cannot safely wear a jacket and have time to deploy the road spikes safely, then they should simply abandon the exercise," he said.

Local councillor Roger Guy told BBC Radio's "Good Morning Scotland" program "the police cannot be everywhere, all the time." He added: "So if people in the communities are genuinely anxious about speeding motorists in their villages, or their neighborhood, then we're calling on them to volunteer." The BBC also reports that when residents of local towns are upset by constant speeding in their area, they should be willing to volunteer to shoot radar "Volunteers in high visibility vests to trap speeders." Chief Inspector John McDonald of Fife Constabulary said "road safety is everyone's concern." He said there had been "absolutely tremendous progress" in reducing road casualties across Fife in the past five years.

HiVis Supply is proud to offer high visibility apparel for a variety of job duties and officers and children around the world. HiVis Supply offers great savings and product selection for helping you maintain a safe and OSHA/ANSI compliant work environment and keeping those closest to you safe throughout the year. If you're looking for discounted safety equipment or identification products on sale, visit our web specials page or sign up for our email promotions.

ML Kishigo Featured in Inc. Magazine

2010-11-30T09:19:00.000-08:00

For 30+ years, ML Kishigo has been developing smarter safety and high-vis apparel products that meet customers' specialized needs. They don't just meet standards in safety and high-vis apparel - they exceed them. Kishigo prides themselves in continual innovation, quality control checks and rigorous testing. ML Kishigo is your choice for traffic, construction, surveyor, public safety/incident command, fire-resistant, industrial, clean room and other high-visibility needs. Recently, ML Kishigo was features in the October issue of Inc. Magazine. Here is an excerpt from the article:

Safety vest - High-visibility vests are a must for airport ground crews, given that jet noise and protective ear coverings make it difficult to hear danger approaching. The bright-yellow color and reflective stripes on this vest, custom made for Delta by M.L. Kishigo in Santa Ana, California, help keep workers out of harm's way. CEO Loren Wall founded the company in 1973 and named it after his late wife, Mary Lou Kishigo. It has 95 employees and makes a full line of safety clothing for the construction, energy, and public safety industries.

HiVis Supply is proud to offer high visibility apparel for a variety of job duties like roadside construction, manufacturing, plant assembly, mining, surveying, forestry, power generator construction, shipyard construction, warehouse and facility maintenance, utilities department, sewer maintenance, electrical line construction, wind energy construction, ethanol and oil refinery and many others. HiVis Supply offers great savings and product selection for helping you maintain a safe and OSHA/ANSI compliant work environment. If you're looking for discounted safety equipment or identification products on sale, visit our web specials page or sign up for our email promotions.

Hi Vis News from Around the World

2010-10-29T22:48:00.000-07:00

Australia - New Honda road bike customers receive high visibility vest
Honda have long been advocates for motorcycle safety and are now giving away branded, high visibility vests with every new Honda motorcycle in an effort to address visibility issues all motorcyclists have to contend with.
The high quality design also offers a front zip closure as opposed to a standard velcro closure, with Honda logos on both front and back.
The vest is packaged in a Honda printed pouch with a recommended retail value of around $25.
“We have been considering for some time the most practical way that we can help riders to be safer on the road,” said Honda Australia’s General Manager, Motorcyles, Tony Hinton.
“Visibility is often noted as a factor in crashes involving cars and motorcyclists, and this is an area where we can encourage riders to do as much as possible to be seen, day or night.”
“We are seeing more and more riders wearing high vis clothing and vests, and felt that it would be an excellent value add item for anyone purchasing one of our motorcycles.”
Any customer who purchases a road registerable motorcycle across the Honda range from any dealer nationally will receive a vest.
Click here to read the original story.

Spanish prostitutes wear yellow bibs to avoid police fines

Roadside prostitutes working on a roundabout outside the Spanish city of Lleida have begun wearing yellow reflective bibs to avoid fines from police.
The prostitutes have donned the high visibility vests, similar to those worn by road workers or drivers whose cars have broken down, to save themselves the €40 (£36) fines.
Police said they were not trying to get rid of the prostitutes, but were simply including them in a push to enforce use of the fluorescent bibs, which must be worn by anyone walking down a rural highway.
A police spokesman said: "In the past couple of months the prostitutes have been fined for two reasons: for not wearing the reflective jacket and for creating danger on the public highway."
Police say they have no other reason for fining the prostitutes, whose chosen spot on a roundabout of the LL-11 road falls just outside the municipal boundaries of Lleida – which recently banned street prostitution.
The move comes amid a wider debate over prostitution in Spain, where it thrives in a context that is part legal and part illegal. Scantily-clad sex workers can be seen on roads outside many cities, although only those in Lleida are believed to wear reflective jackets.
Click here to read the original story.

A Hi Vis Winter

2010-10-29T22:41:00.000-07:00

Based on the National Weather Service’ Climate Prediction Center, here is a summary of the main factors which usually influence seasonal climates:

El Nino and La Nina
Trends – Approximated by the Optimal Climate Normals (OCN) Tool – difference between the most recent 10-year mean temperature or 15-year mean of precipitation and the 30-year climatology Period (currently 1971-2000)
The Tropical 30-60 DAY oscillation – otherwise called the Madden Julian
The North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) And the Pacific North American (PNA) patterns
The Pacific Decadal Oscillation(PDO)
Persistently dry or wet soil in the summer and snow ice cover anomalies acting as a kind of memory system
Statistical forecast tools
Dynamical forecast models
Consolidation (CON) - Makes optimum use of the known skills in our forecast tools

Based on the numbers provided, here are some of the November December January (NDJ) 3-month temperature outlooks:

Below average temps over much of Alaska, Washington and coastal regions of Oregon and California
The 3-month precipitation outlook calls for above average median precipitation almost through the Mississippi Valley
In locations where the likelihoods of seasonal mean temps and rainfall are similar to probabilities, equal chances of low, mean, or high averages are likely

For graphical displays of forecasts http://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/

National Weather Service’ Climate Prediction Center http://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/predictions/90day/fxus05.html

Hi Vis Supply has a full line of high visibility winter jackets and rain gear for the winter months.

ANSI 107 FOR Hi Vis Gets Updated for 2010

2010-10-29T22:32:00.000-07:00

The beginning of 2010 marked the highly anticipated revision to the 107-2004 High Visibility Standard. This Standard is updated every 5 years and is now labeled ANSI/ISEA 107-2010. It specifies performance requirements for high visibility safety apparel and headwear PPE. Specific performance requirements are included for:

Color
Retro-reflection and minimum areas
Recommended configurations of the materials and design

Below is an outline of the primary differences between ANSI/ISEA107-2010, and the previous ANSI/ISEA 107-2004 Standard.

GARMENT DESIGN AND REFLECTIVE PLACEMENT - A class 1 or a class 2 garment must now have reflective material in the shoulder area, which provides greater visibility when a worker is bending over, or at angles that could be potentially missed on a garment without “vertical” reflective material over the shoulders.

FLAME RESISTANT (FR) LABELING - The 107-2004 standard did not address flame resistant labeling. ANSI 107-2010 requires all flame resistant garments to be tested within at least 1 of 7 ASTM or NFPA test methods, including a description of the flame resistance criteria. If a manufacturer wants to mark high visibility apparel as being FR, the garment must meet one of the FR tests in the 107-2010 Standard and certify its conformance to the FR requirement. For specific test methods, a copy of the new 107-2010 Standard can be purchased directly from the ISEA.

RAINWEAR – There have been new testing requirements added for rainwear. Three different test methods will define rainwear as either water repellant, water resistant or water proof.

GARMENT SERVICE LIFE GUIDELINES - ANSI 107-2010 also attempts to help users determine garment service life. Areas to consider are:

garment use
type of garment
environment
laundering methods
exposure to the environment

In addition, it references the U.S. Federal Highway Administration statement about high-visibility life expectancy. (Federal Register/Vol. 71 No. 226/Friday, November 24, 2006/rules and regulations/p. 67798

Hi-Vis Bombers

2010-09-15T19:08:00.000-07:00

With America's infrastructure in the process of receiving a much needed facelift, there is also a growing need for more highway and roadside workers. Even while highway worker fatalities have decreased each year since 2007 (from almost 1,250 to nearly 750) safer work zones are absolutely necessary to keep this positive trend.

Fundamental issues for increasing highway worker safety include:

trained workers - for engaging in high-traffic and setting up control devices

planning - routes, spotters and utility areas to avoid

speed control - flaggers, postings, law enforcement

lighting - for working at night

separation devices - use based on speed and alignment of traffic pattern

hi-visibility apparel - for differentiation from traffic, equipment and at hard to see times (dusk and dawn)

Workers need gear such as these water-repellent bombers that keep you warm, dry and visible. What's more, they're ANSI/ISEA 107 Class 3 compliant - meaning their usable in the most high speed conditions. These economy jackets are designed with a "stow-away" hidden collar hood and four pockets - 2 outside pockets, including a chest radio pocket and a right chest multi-use pocket with a zipper closure for extra warmth. Great protection and a great value.

High Visibility for End of Summer

2010-08-27T00:27:00.000-07:00

Stay cool and protect yourself from the sun with an ANSI Class 3 Micro-Fiber long sleeve shirt. This shirt features Ultra-Cool™ micro-fiber polyester material with 2" wide Super Lite silver reflective stripes and (1) left breast pocket. Available in Lime and Orange; M-5XL.
ANSI Class 3 garments allow a worker full range of duties while keeping them safe when working with backgrounds not conducive to good visibility. Class 3 visibility surpasses Class 2 with background and retro-reflective reflective material added to the arms and/or legs – for areas with vehicle speeds above 50 mph.

These garments are designed for vehicles and equipment to be able to fully identify a workers complete body. This new ANSI Class 3 standard defining body requirement is in support of the MUTCD definition of night time and inclement conditions.

ANSI Class 3 apparel is typically used by roadway construction personnel and flaggers, utility workers, survey crews and emergency response personnel - in dangerous conditions with high-speed driving, equipment, large operations and nighttime viewing.

HiVisSupply is dedicated to serving those men and women who continuously and courageously work in hazardous conditions for the sake, ease and benefit of others.

HiVis for Oil Spill Crews Even at Night

2010-08-26T23:47:00.000-07:00

As the BP Oil response continues, workers don high-visibility and hi-reflectivity gear even at night. This image was taken off the beaches of Pensacola, Florida. And as recently as July, beaches were closed due to oil impacts. Efforts were made to have the shorelines of Florida, Alabama and Louisiana cleared for the holidays, but effects were far more damaging in many areas. Permanent booms have been installed in some areas, rock barriers as well as sand washing systems have been used, and good old-fashioned shovel clean-up crews work night and day on the mess made by the Deepwater Horizon.

ANSI Class 1, 2 and 3 vests are available for oil responders, contaminated beach and shoreline clean-up crews and other workers helping to alleviate the stresses on wildlife affected by this disaster. As Floridians, we are greatful to those who are tirelessly working to preserve the Gulf Coast's natural habitat, it's ecosystem and the economy surrounding off-shore enterprises.

Safety Crackdown - Buzzed and Impaired Driving

2010-07-29T06:11:00.000-07:00

Today, texting while driving is getting all of the attention on America's roadways. States are implementing laws and associations are trying to change the way we think about cell-phone use in general. But a major concern for the nation's drivers and road workers is still buzzed and impaired driving, and if you plan to hit the road this summer, know that enforcement officers ARE out there and they WILL find you.

Impaired driving continues to be one of the deadliest crimes in America. In 2008, there were 11,773 deaths due to alcohol - nearly 1/3 of all traffic fatalities in the US. These drivers all had blood alcohol levels of .08 or higher. This means there was an average of one alcohol-impaired-driving fatality every 45 minutes. Thankfully, that number is down from 13,041 in 2007 - but it's not enough.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has formed a national strategy to stop impaired driving and created programs across the United States that aid motorists in the reporting of impaired drivers to law enforcement. You will notice an increasing amount of officers patrolling with increased prosecution for offenders.

HiVis Supply would like to remind all drivers and road workers out there that safety is important to us all, because at the end of the day, especially during vacation, getting home to our loved ones is what's important. HiVis is dedicated to keeping road workers safe by providing hi-visibility products and gear that get people noticed and keep them safe. Have a great summer, and stay safe.

Hi-Vis for Gulf Oil Spill Response

2010-07-01T04:47:00.000-07:00

Use of hi-visibility clothing has been readily evident with gulf oil spill workers and clean-up crew in response to the BP’s Deepwater Horizon disaster back in April. Since then, environmental clean-up, contaminated water and Florida, Mississippi, Alabama and Louisiana shoreline workers have been tasked to alleviate all signs of the oil spill from contaminated beaches and coastal waterways, and posting beach closure signs, oil spill clean-up signs, no water contact signs and oil spill response signs.

Hi-visibility gear allows workers to be seen even in low-light conditions as crews work in the early morning hours and well into the night often in very bright and dangerous conditions. The use of hi-reflectivity gear also denotes workers from civilians and allows managers to keep tabs on their employees.

HiVisSupply salutes these men and women who are working diligently around the clock to help wildlife survive this catastrophe and ease the burden on our precious coastal ecosystems. There is no way to determine at this time how long the BP oil spill will contaminate our environment, close our beaches and shut down water operations, or to what degree the 2010 oil spill will affect our lives in the years to come. Only time will tell, and we’re here to help.

ANSI 207 HiVis for Public Safety

2010-06-13T07:36:00.000-07:00

Use of the term Public safety organization reasonably implies that the organization is composed of law enforcement or public safety personnel. Terms used to describe these occupations usually include officer, peace officer, police officer, police, law enforcement, reserve officer, deputy, deputy sheriff, constable, deputy constable, fireman, firefighter, volunteer fireman and/or emergency medical service provider, paramedics and search and rescue workers.

US federal law states that all personnel working on a highway that is eligible for federal funds to wear a hi-vis vest starting on November 25, 2008. Firefighters are excluded while engaged in firefighting activities or hazardous materials (hazmat) situations. Otherwise, hi-visibility clothing must be worn. Also, paramedics and police officers not engaged in law enforcement activities are required by law to wear high visibility clothing.

In 2006, ANSI released the 207-2006, or American National Standard for High-Visibility Public Safety Vests, in response to issues raised by public safety officials with respect to the ANSI 107 vest design. Their concerns were both tactical and influenced by a need to differentiate between law enforcement/emergency personnel and the vests worn by construction workers. The changes have different requirements for fluorescent background material, specifically allowing for a shorter design that allows equipment belt access. It also includes many optional features, such as a 5-point breakaway design for easy removal, panels readily identifying the wearer as an emergency responder, and radio and badge pockets/holders.

These vests features an upper mesh, color coded fabric for proper public service department identification along with a hi-vis solid fabric bottom. Each vest includes: left chest mic tab, pencil pocket and inside large lower patch pocket. Breakaway shoulders and sides with tear away zipper front closure. The vest folds into the large inside pocket to become a self enclosed pouch for storage. The vests also offers 4-season adjustability to accomodate bulky coats. Available in sizes M/XL and 2XL/4XL.

HiVis Supply is a reseller of high visibility apparel including: ANSI approved clothing, safety vests, traffic vests, hivis vests, ANSI Class 2, ANSI Class 3, ANSI 107-2004, ANSI 207, ANSI Class E, public safety vests, incident command vests, specialty vests, survey vests, safety pants, high visibility t-shirts, high visibility jackets, sweatshirts, coats, windbreakers and rainwear.

Road Construction and Workzone Hazards

2010-05-26T16:38:00.000-07:00

Highway crews routinely work in hazardous conditions, near construction vehicles and motor vehicle traffic. Flaggers and other workers on foot are exposed to the risk of being struck by traffic vehicles or construction equipment if they are not visible to motorists or equipment operators. Drivers who operate construction vehicles or equipment risk collision, rolling, and being caught in running equipment. Regardless of their assigned job, lighting can be poor with low visibility and bad weather, and exposure to high traffic congestion and speeds is imminent.

The Federal Highway Administration (FHA) has developed and maintained the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), which provides for uniform design and setup of highway work zones. The primary focus of Part 6 of the MUTCD is the interaction between the road user and the work zone. The MUTCD contains exhaustive specifications for signage, pavement and curb markings, traffic signals, and marking of school zones, bicycle facilities and highway-rail crossings. It outlines temporary traffic control measures for lane closures and shifts, detours, shoulder work, median crossovers, mobile operations, and blasting. The MUTCD also addresses topics such as training, personal protective equipment (PPE), speed reduction, barriers, and lighting, as they apply to highway construction. It also provides for uniform design and setup of highway work zones, and includes guidance for the development of temporary traffic control plans (TCPs) that determine the flow of traffic through work zones.

OSHA construction industry regulations address operation of vehicles and equipment within an off-highway job site not open to public traffic. It does cover types of machinery and safety equipment, but it does not address work practices, traffic control plans, or shift work. Flagging and signaling practices are discussed in general which also covers signs, signals, and barricades.

Compliance with the MUTCD and OSHA regulations is a necessary first step in providing a safe work environment, but lacks comprehensive guidance to ensure worker safety in highway work zones. To help identify these gaps in standards and regulations and to compile additional prevention measures to enhance worker safety, NIOSH undertook a comprehensive review of scientific literature, fatality and injury data, and current safety research.

Between OSHA, MUTCD and NIOSH standards and guidelines, a properly defensed workzone can often seem a daunting task. At HiVis Supply, we offer high visibility apparel and safety vests for the worker and traffic control devices for the workzone that can ensure a safe environment for those men and women paving the way for us all.

Roll-Up Construction Signs

2010-05-26T16:12:00.000-07:00

MUTCD Standard:
The needs and control of all road users (motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians within the highway, including persons with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), Title II, Paragragh 35.130) through a TTC (temporary traffic control) zone shall be an essential part of highway construction, utility work, maintenance operations, and the management of traffic incidents.
CONSTRUCTION signs are orange diamonds specifically used only to WARN drivers about construction and work zone activity.
Quick to set up and highly visible, roll-up signs provide temporary warning along roads, danger areas, and construction sites. Easy to take down and roll up for compact storage and portability.
Constructed of lightweight, flexible fabric, these safety-orange signs have contrasting black messages and symbols from the Standard Highway Signs Manual, as specified in the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD). They provide temporary warnings of roadway changes and hazards ahead.
These diamond shaped signs are available each in 36" x 36" or 48" x 48" in three fabrics:
• Non-Reflective Mesh is PVC extruded over polyster strands, ideal for daytime applications.
• Fluorescent Vinyl is non-reflective fabric-reinforced, UV stable vinyl with bright fluorescence for daytime use only.
• Reflective Vinyl is high-intesity, retro-reflective sheeting bonded to vinyl-coated, fiber-reinforced nylon fabric, ideal for attention-getting and low-light conditions.
For these and other available traffic, roadside workzone devices, and all of your hi-visibility needs, visit hivissupply.com.

School Crossing Guards

2010-05-17T19:01:00.000-07:00

Safety is an important issue for everyone, but an often overlooked occupation where workers put their lives on the line every day - well, one every school day - is the often un-noticed, and under-appreciated, school crossing guard.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) defines a crossing guard as someone who directs traffic (both pedestrian and vehicular) on streets, at schools, and at railroad crossings and construction sites. In 2007, there were an estimated 70,000 school crossing guards employed nationally, and in the years between 1993 to 2006, there were 97 school crossing guard fatalities, or almost 7 a year. This may not seem like a lot of deaths, but these men and women put their lives on the line each day to keep our children safe.

Additionally, the state of Florida reports that in 2006, 39% of all 16 and under pedestrian fatalities occurred between 3 and 7 pm. Of the 516 fatalities, 104, or (20%) were pedestrians - usually children. In an effort to lower these numbers, the state trains crossing guards to:
• Use proper crossing techniques consistently
• Encourage patterns of proper crossing behavior by students
• Deter students from committing unsafe/unlawful acts
• Recognize and report hazardous conditions
• Take proper actions in an emergency
• Know their responsibilities and limitations of authority
• Exhibit professionalism and instill confidence
• Earn students’ respect

In a New Jersey report, other factors attributing to motor-vehicle related injuries include among school crossing guards include:
• Unsafe driving
• Parents rushing to and through the school zone
• Distracted driving including cell phones, eating, drinking and smoking

As parents, let's respect school crossing guards, the men and women who serve our children every day and make sure they get to cross the street safely. As drivers, let's start paying attention to school zones, and wait to send that text message, or wait to eat the fast food when we get home.

For more information checkout this pdf from the state of New Jersey

Or this pdf from the state of Florida

At HiVis Supply, we are proud to resell high visibility apparel including incident command vests, safety vests, and traffic vests, as well as traffic safety accessories and ANSI compliant vests for crossing guards, pedestrian crossing and speed limit signs.

The Basics of Surveying

2010-04-13T13:26:00.000-07:00

Surveying is defined as the art, science, and technology of detecting the relative position of points at, above, or below the surface of the earth; or establishing such points. Ultimately, a surveyor determines land boundaries. They also determine boundaries of roads to be built, help make sure skyscrapers are being erected vertically and measure airports so that the runways are perfectly aligned and smooth. Land surveying is commonly, and comically, referred to as the world's second-oldest profession.
Surveyors also map:
- topography of land for engineering design
- establish elevations of home sites for flood insurance
- perform title surveys for real estate transactions
- certify that structures are built according to design
- lay out buildings and subdivisions
- map river bottoms for dredging
- lay out photo control for aerial photography and photogrammetry
- write legal descriptions to describe pieces of property
- map and layout corridors for tunnels, roads, airports, pipelines, cellular networks and railroads
Being a surveyor means having a full understanding of the inexactness, uncertainty, and variable nature of measurement. This creates the professional attitude needed to constantly seek new evidence, and consequently a higher probability of approaching the truth or proving something with confidence. As an analyst of both measurement data and boundary location evidence, the surveyor is in a position to develop a keen sensitivity to the importance of finding and applying the truth.

For more information used in this article and downloadable pdf's:
Oregon DOT/Geometronics pdf
Ferris Basics of Surveying pdf
Harrelson Basics of Surveying pdf
Surveying Equipment pdf

HiVis Supply is a reseller of high visibility apparel including: ANSI approved clothing, safety vests, traffic vests, incident command vests, specialty vests, survey vests, high visibility t-shirts, high visibility jackets, sweatshirts, coats, windbreakers and rainwear.

Coal Mining Most Frequently Cited Standard of 2010

2010-03-30T00:34:00.000-07:00

The accumulation of combustible materials in coal mines leads all violations in the last 90 days with 2,197 violations, or 11.52% of all violations.

From the Mine Safety and Health Administration, www.msha.gov, 30 CFR § 75.400:
Coal dust, including float coal dust deposited on rock-dusted surfaces, loose coal, and other combustible materials, shall be cleaned up and not be permitted to accumulate in active workings, or on diesel- powered and electric equipment therein.
[61 FR 55527, Oct. 25, 1996]

For an explosion to occur, there are five necessary elements which must occur simultaneously: fuel, heat, oxygen, suspension, and confinement. These form the five sides of the Explosion Pentagon. Like the fire triangle, removing any one of these requirements would prevent an explosion from propagating. For example, if fuel, heat, oxygen, and confinement occurred together in proper quantities, an explosion would still not be possible without the suspension of the fuel. However, in this case, a fire could occur. If the burning fuel were then placed in suspension by a sudden blast of air, all five sides of the explosion pentagon would be satisfied and an explosion would be imminent.

HiVis Supply www.hivissupply.com is proud to offer high visibility apparel for a variety of job duties like roadside construction, manufacturing and mining. We offer great savings and product selection for helping you maintain a safe and OSHA/ANSI compliant work environment.

Personal Safety Lites

2010-03-10T16:44:00.000-08:00

Personal Safety Lites are perfect for a multitude of applications. Parents, use these lights to draw attention to children by wearing an armband or attaching directly to book bags, jackets, belts, bicycles or scooters. And adults can increase their visibility when walking, jogging or bicycling during low light or dark conditions.

Safety on the jobsite for construction workers and road crews, traffic control personnel, or for anyone who needs to be seen in low light or no light conditions is always an important issue. Personal Safety Lites are visible for a distance of approximately ½ mile, and over a mile in the right conditions.

Polycarbonate lenses are not scratch-resistant but are very difficult to break and will not shatter. The housing assembly is also made of a durable polymer to withstand damage.

LED’s have:
- Extended lifetime - most rated to 100,000 hours
- Energy savings in many applications
- Reduced heat output
- Brighter, more intense colors

The Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard maintains that LED lights cannot be used in place of chemical flares for broken down vehicles, however, they can be used as supplemental warning devices “in addition to...the required warning devices*, provided those warning devices do not decrease the effectiveness of the required warning devices.” Required warning devices include three bi-directional emergency reflective triangles that conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 125, §571.125; or at least 6 fusees or 3 liquid burning-flares.

Personal Safety Lites can be attached to oversize loads or when used in traffic control applications. Construction companies and DOT flaggers use these lights in various applications and other environments requiring a highly visible signaling device.

Incident Command

2010-03-03T13:37:00.000-08:00

The Incident Command System was originally established in California in response to natural disasters, and the complications of several agencies trying to cooperate to effectively cope with these disasters and save lives. A unified Incident Command eliminated structural and communication problems associated with agency cooperation during a national crisis.
Concepts of Incident Command include:
- Unity of Command
- Universal Terminology
- Management by Objective
- Flexible and Modular Organization
- Span-of-Control
Concepts were then integrated into the National Incident Management System (NIMS) in 2003.

NIMS is a comprehensive, national approach to incident management that is applicable at all jurisdictional levels and across functional disciplines. It is intended to:
- Be applicable across a full spectrum of potential incidents, hazards, and impacts, regardless of size, location or complexity
- Improve coordination and cooperation between public and private entities in a variety of incident management activities
- Provide a common standard for overall incident management
FEMA's NIMS Resource center details a:
- Five-Year NIMS Training Plan
- NRF Integrated Emergency Management Course (IEMC)
- NIMS Courses

Road Construction Across the Nation

2010-02-17T13:49:00.000-08:00

ARRA By The Numbers

As of January 7, 2010:
- 1,125 bridges had been improved, replace or newly constructed
- 21,400 miles of pavement were either improved, resurfaced or widened
- 1,700 miles of safety traffic management projects were implemented
- Over 630 miles of bike lanes, sidewalks or environmental mitigation projects underway
- 7,450 buses have been purchased and 1,637 bus shelters constructed
Real People Are Working Real Jobs
- 280,000 direct, on-project jobs have been created or sustained across the country
- Total employment from these projects, which includes direct, indirect, and induced jobs, reaches almost 890,000 jobs.
Visit the Projects and Paychecks website.

Workzone Fatalities - Click image for downloadable pdf.

Secretary LaHood Announces Funding for Over 50 Innovative, Strategic Transportation Projects through Landmark Competitive TIGER Program

One year to the day after President Obama signed the historic American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) into law, Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood will announce Recovery Act awards to states, tribal governments, cities, counties and transit agencies across the country to fund 51 innovative transportation projects. The U.S. Department of Transportation required rigorous economic justifications for projects more than $100 million and will require all recipients to report on their activities on a routine basis.
Read the rest of the blog article here.

ASTM Standard Covers Sustainable Use of Recycled Asphalt Pavement

Developed by Subcommittee D18.14 on Geotechnics of Sustainable Construction, proposed standard ASTM WK26824 is an important step in guiding federal, state, and local highway agencies, contractors, material suppliers, and consultants on sustainable use of recycled asphalt pavement. According to Haifang Wen, Ph.D., use of recycled materials reduces need for virgin materials and disposal of existing materials and can protect the environment, reducing energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.Click the image to go to the ASTM website.

HiVis In the News

2010-02-10T13:21:00.000-08:00

Ronald Gary Taunton, a 20-year employee of East Alabama Paving in Opelika, died instantly after he was run over by a dump truck. Authorities believe Taunton was directing heavy equipment on a work site with the highway department when he apparently failed to move out from behind a Lee County truck as it was backing up. Authorities reported that Taunton was wearing his safety vest and the backup alarm on the truck was working properly.
The coroner said in a press release that the incident is being investigating “as an accident” by Auburn police, the coroner’s office and the Alabama Medical Examiner’s Office.

Comprehensive Safety Analysis
Starting in the summer of 2010, FMCSA will implement comprehensive safety analysis 2010 CSA 2010, which is designed to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of FMCSA’s enforcement and compliance program.

How Will This Change Affect Drivers?
* Unsafe carrier and driver behaviors that lead to crashes will be identified and addressed
* All safety-based roadside inspection violations will count, not just Out-of-Service (OOS) violations
* Drivers will be more accountable for safe on-road performance — good news for drivers with strong safety performance records

What can drivers do to prepare for the change?
1) Know and follow safety rules and regulations - CMV safe driving tips
2) Become knowledgeable about the new Behavior Analysis and Safety Improvement Categories (BASICs) and how FMCSA will assess safety under CSA 2010
3) Keep copies of inspection reports
4) Learn about employers’ safety records
5) Visit the CSA 2010 website

Road Work Safety and Transportation - In the News

2010-02-01T10:34:00.000-08:00

In the single worst economic time since the depression, job-loss reportings that are lower than expected become overall good news. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) has estimated December 2009 job losses at 84,000, a little higher for the month than expected, but the Portland Cement Association (PCA) final quarter job loss predictions of 861,000 are far higher than actual 501,000 for the final quarter of 2009 as reported on Jan. 14th by Site Prep magazine.

The DOT’s Secretary LaHood said that the Obama administration’s approved $79 billion dollar budget promotes safety in a number of areas, starting with a new $50 million grant incentive program to the states to combat distracted driving. Since Secretary LaHood convened a national Distracted Driving Summit last fall, he has undertaken a nationwide campaign to put an end to the deadly epidemic.

More than half of U.S. highway fatalities are related to deficient roadway conditions – a substantially more lethal factor than drunk driving, speeding or non-use of safety belts – according to the Transportation and Construction Coalition (TCC) and the Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation (PIRE). Ten roadway-related crashes occur every minute (5.3 million a year) and also contribute to 38 percent of non-fatal injuries. The report also found that deficiencies in the roadway environment contributed to more than 22,000 fatalities and cost $217 billion annually.

Analysis of crash costs on a state-by-state basis.

The 10 states with the:

Highest total cost from crashes involving deficient road conditions are (alphabetically): Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Tennessee and Texas.

Highest road-related crash costs per million vehicle miles of travel are: Alabama, Arkansas, Hawaii, Idaho, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Tennessee and West Virginia.

Highest road-related crash costs per mile of road are: California, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Florida, Hawaii, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York and South Carolina.

FHWA Ruling on ANSI/ISEA Garments for Public Safety Personnel

2010-01-15T05:19:00.000-08:00

FHWA Mandates High-visibility Safety Apparel Meeting ISEA Standards for All Workers in Highway Rights-of-Way, Workzones

The 2009 revision to the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), published by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) yesterday, requires workers, including emergency responders, along highway rights-of-way or in workzones to wear high-visibility apparel whenever they are exposed to moving traffic, work vehicles or construction equipment. The apparel must meet Performance Class 2 or 3 requirements of ANSI/ISEA 107-2004, the American National Standard for High Visibility Safety Apparel and Headwear. This requirement also applies to firefighters, emergency responders and law enforcement personnel working within the right-of-way. As an option, emergency responders and law enforcement personnel may wear garments that meet the standard for high-visibility public safety vests, ANSI/ISEA 207-2006. A separate section of the MUTCD, which covers specific requirements for flaggers, also requires the use of ANSI/ISEA 107-compliant apparel, and specifies that background material must be fluorescent orange-red, fluorescent yellow-green “or a combination of the two as specified in the ANSI standard.” Previously, the FHWA only required workers in federal-aid highway workzones to use these garments.
The revised MUTCD states: “All workers, including emergency responders, within the right-of-way who are exposed to traffic (vehicles using the highway for purposes of travel) or to work vehicles and construction equipment within the [Temporary Traffic Control] zone shall wear high-visibility safety apparel that meets the Performance Class 2 or 3 requirements of the ANSI/ISEA 107-2004 publication entitled ‘American National Standard for High-Visibility Safety Apparel and Headwear’ (see Section 1A.11) or equivalent revisions, and labeled as meeting the ANSI 107-20004 standard performance for Class 2 or 3 risk exposure, except as provided in paragraph 5… Emergency and incident responders and law enforcement personnel within the [Temporary Traffic Control] zone may wear high-visibility safety apparel that meets the performance requirements of the ANSI/ISEA 207-2006 publication entitled ‘American National Standard for High-Visibility Public Safety Vests’ (see Section 1A.11) or equivalent revisions, and labeled as ANSI 207-2006, in lieu of ANSI/ISEA 107-2004 apparel…”
The revised MUTCD takes effect January 15, 2010. Workers on non-federal highways will have to be in compliance with the high-visibility safety apparel requirements by December 31, 2011. Read more and find links to the relevant federal documents under “ISEA News” at www.safetyequipment.org

Highway Fatality Statistics

2009-12-17T06:15:00.000-08:00

In 2008, there were at total of 36,541 fatalities on US road system. Highest by state:

California 3,364

Texas 3,248

Florida 2,897

Pennsylvania 1,445

Georgia 1,457

There were also a total of 720 fatalities in Construction/Maintenance zones along those same road systems. Highest by state:

Texas 134

Florida 81

California 70

Georgia 36

Illinois 31

In 2008, 101 of those fatalities were related to vehicles passing through roadside construction.

While studies are still being conducted on different types of reflective material s and colors for hi-visibility garments, the dangers are still present. Uniform traffic devices are used to allow for a safer road-side working environment, but construction sites along highways will always have the unavoidable hazard of passing vehicles, with distracted driving through use of cell phones and drinking and drugging on the road.

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has a great reference page on Highway work zone safety.

The Department of Labor (DOL) through the Bureau of Labor and Statistics (BLS) regularly publishes worker fatality and occupational injuries information.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has traffic safety laws and regulations.

The Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) encyclopedia has national statistics, reports, publications, documents and manuals.

HiVisSupply wishes all workers and drivers a safe and happy holiday season.

Public Safety Workers and Their Use of High Visibility Clothing

2009-07-27T06:14:00.000-07:00

In January 2006, The Federal Highway Administration published the most recent Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (The MUTCD). This MUTCD revision accepted and coded into law for the first time the ANSI 107-1999 High Visibility Apparel Standard “or subsequent revisions”. The acceptance of the ANSI 107-2004 Standard (the current revision) in the MUTCD was a distinct advancement for highway workers. However for “Public Safety Workers” such as Police, Fire, State Patrol, Emergency Personnel, and other “First Responders” the circumstances and use of High Visibility Apparel on the job was unclear. Many Public Safety workers were exempted from using high visibility apparel, and/or were only partially covered by the ANSI 107 standard and the MUTCD.

In 2006 the Federal Highway Administration announced in a written statement that effective November 2008; ALL workers working on any highway that received federal funds must wear high visibility ANSI apparel. This new rule now included all Public Safety personnel such as law enforcement, emergency workers, Fire, EMS, public maintenance, utility crews, and “First Responders”. This new requirement applied when performing duties of directing traffic, investigating crashes, handling lane closures, clearing obstructed roadways, and all other disasters within the right of way of federal highways. For practical purposes, any Public Safety Workers on any highway that received federal funds are required to use either ANSI 107 OR ANSI 207 High Visibility Apparel.

The ANSI 207 vs 107 Standard
Public Safety Workers acknowledged the risks of on-the-job traffic accidents related to visibility. However, there was also an understanding that competing hazards such as heat/flame exposure for Fire Departments, use of stealth and/or weapons by law enforcement, and fire/chemical/electrical exposure in emergencies required judgment in the use of High Visibility Apparel. In addition, nontraditional colors were needed such as Police Blue, EMS White, Fire Red, to differentiate Public Safety Personnel from Highway workers. The ISEA, working in conjunction with select “Public Safety” organizations, began work on a new consensus standard. The result was the publication of the ANSI 207 Public Safety High Visibility Standard, a consensus approved by the canvas method and published in late 2006.

The ANSI 207-2006 accepted as “Best Practices” much of the High Visibility Apparel criteria as defined by the already published ANSI 107-2004 standard for workers exposed to traffic. ANSI 107-2004 definitions of fluorescent fabrics, retro-reflective tapes, 3rd party independent tests of both fabrics and reflectives for color fastness, cleaning, tear, abrasion, flexing, temperature variation, care labels, marking, labels, bursting strength, reflective photometric and Physical Performance Requirements apply to the ANSI 207-2006 standard as well. In all the Technical Requirements, the ANSI 107-2004 American National Standard for High Visibility Safety Apparel; and ANSI 207-2006, American National Standard for High Visibility Public Safety are nearly identical.

The ANSI 207 - 2006 Standard
The major difference between the ANSI 107 Highway Workers Standard and the ANSI 207 Public Safety Standard is garment design; ANSI 207 Class 2 has less (450 sq inches) of background fabric and recommends a 5 point break-away design. Law enforcement could now combine Police Blue fabrics with fluorescent orange or yellow fabrics. Fire Service could use traditional orange, red or yellow fabrics; but may also need “Fire Resistant” fabrics per the (NFPA 701) and or (ASTM F-1506) standards as the primary danger may be fire. EMS personnel traditionally used white. Finally the National Incident Management System (NIMS) encouraged the use of color coding response personnel and/or the use of ID panels. The result is new vest designs that combine non-traditional color fabrics with traditional fluorescent fabrics to create entirely new designs for “Public Safety” and “First Responders” Some of these designs are “One Size Fits Most” to allow for variation in personnel likely to wear these vests in an emergency. Clear and Velcro removable ID panels allow for fast changes in assignments during Incident Management. Velcro 5-Point “Break-away” sides and shoulder designs on select products provide an extra level of safety. Taken together, the new ANSI 207-2006 standard allows “Public Safety” personnel to maintain their identity as First Responders while using High Visibility Apparel.

HiVis Supply offers a variety of Public Safety vests; as well as Incident Command vests. Visit us online to view our selection of ANSI/ISEA 207-2006 approved vests; as well as other high visibility clothing.

The above article is courtesy of Vinatronic’s Technical Brief: ANSI/ISEA 207-2006. HiVis Supply is an authorized distributor of Vinatronics high visibility apparel. All Vinatronics apparel is made in the USA.

ANSI Labels For High Visibility Clothing

2009-07-08T13:32:00.000-07:00

All safety vests, and other high visibility garments, come with a seemingly simple label which is oftentimes overlooked; but in actuality, is very important. The non-descript ANSI label provides the information needed to properly identify the key certifications of your safety vest. Outside of ensuring the vest you are wearing is certified for the ANSI high visibility requirements of your work environment, it also details care instructions for proper vest maintenance.

Once all materials have been tested against performance requirements and certificates of compliance from a third party testing laboratory have been issued, apparel manufacturers then assemble garments according to the design guidelines in Section 6 of the standard for the appropriate class of garment. Only after all the materials’ performance and design requirements have been met, can a garment be labeled ANSI/ISEA 107-2004 compliant. Garment labeling, general marking and instructions for use are described in Sections 10 to 12 of the ANSI/ISEA 107-2004 standard.

Markings on the garment label should include the following information:

Name, trademark, or other means of identifying the manufacturer or authorized representative.

Designation of the product type, commercial name or code.

Size designation.

Number of this specific ANSI/ISEA standard (ANSI/ISEA 107-2004, ANSI/ISEA 207-2006, etc).

Pictogram showing the garment Class and Level of performance for the retroreflective material.

Care labeling with FTC symbols and maximum cycles for the cleaning process.

Instructions for use (if applicable).

A good understanding of your vest’s certifications and intended use can all be obtained by a quick evaluation the ANSI garment label. HiVis Supply is a reseller of high visibility apparel; including: ANSI approved clothing, safety vests, traffic vests, hi-vis vests, ANSI Class 2, ANSI Class 3, ANSI 107-2004, ANSI 207-2006, ANSI Class E, public safety vests, incident command vests, specialty vests, survey vests, safety pants, high visibility t-shirts, high visibility jackets, sweatshirts, coats, windbreakers and rainwear. Visit us online at http://www.hivissupply.com/ to view our product selection.

How To Select A High Visibility Vest

2009-07-01T05:44:00.000-07:00

Searching for the appropriate safety vest is not always as simple as selecting the first option you come across or choosing the cheapest vest available. There is certain criteria to be considered which will determine whether the vest you select will provide the level of functionality, comfort and compliance you need to ensure safety on the job site:

Review ANSI/ISEA 107-2004 standard and relevant state/local regulations.
Conduct a survey of worksite low visibility hazards to determine the appropriate class of garments; remember to consider traffic speed, weather conditions, worker proximity to traffic, task loads and the traffic control plan.
Select a design and/or style of garment that meet your needs. Final garment selection should take into consideration functionality, comfort and durability.
Review your design choice with a visibility demonstration.
Document the selection based on specific performance criteria; and require use of certified components only to maintain compliance.
When the safety apparel is issued to your workers, provide them with training that explains the purpose and use of their new high-visibility garments.

At HiVis Supply, we offer a broad range of ANSI approved high visibility safety vests and apparel to enhance your visibility on the job site. Visit us online at www.HiVisSupply.com to preview our selection of vests and other hi-vis clothing; or click here to go directly to our safety vest category: http://www.hivissupply.com/store/categoryList.cfm?catID=7E5844444D18&newCatalogID=7C5847474F

Standards Which Determine How High Visibility Clothing Is Designed

2009-06-30T13:20:00.000-07:00

High visibility clothing and apparel are regulated by standards which help to define minimum requirements to ensure worker safety. Selecting the appropriate high visibility garment depends upon having knowledge of the applicable standards and properly matching up the guidelines with the wearer’s needs (i.e., work environment, job duty, desired level of visibility, etc.). Listed below is a brief overview of the regulating bodies and their standards which dictate the appropriate level of visibility, in relation to worker safety.

MUTCD
In December 2003 the Federal Highway Administration published the most recent Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (The MUTCD). For the first time, the MUTCD specified the ANSI-ISEA 107-1999 “or subsequent revisions” as the standard for High Visibility Apparel in work zones that include traffic, and gave all states a 3-year period from December 2003 to December 2006 to “codify” the Standard into State Law. Specifically, the MUTCD section 6E and 6D deals with High Visibility Safety Apparel use for Workers exposed to Roadway and Construction Hazards. Flaggers are to wear a minimum of a Class 2 garment at all times, and “should” wear Class 3 for night time and inclement conditions. The General Worker Safety Provisions covers all workers exposed to traffic of any kind. This section references the ANSI standard by name as Best Practices, with a Competent Person assigned to determine the minimum ANSI Class 1, 2, or 3 garment that is most appropriate as part of the Employers Hazard Assessment and Worker Safety Plan. The ANSI standard is now used to provide guidance to employers to determine the Best Practices in high visibility apparel.

OSHA General Duty Clause
Under Section 5 of the Occupational Safety and Health Act, all companies are required to provide a safe and healthy work environment. The employer is responsible for identifying hazards and for implementing appropriate (Best Practices) remedies such as Personal Protective Equipment (including ANSI Class 1, 2, or 3 High Visibility Apparel). Like the MUTCD, OSHA General Safety and Health Provisions 29CFR requires employers to conduct a Hazard Assessment each year to identify and mitigate Hazards. Since 1999, the first year of the ANSI standard for High Visibility Apparel, OSHA inspectors have begun referencing the ANSI standard as Best Practices, and under OSHA regulation 1926.28, fines as high as $7000 per incident have been issued. Taken together, The MUTCD and the OSHA General Duty Clause both now use ANSI 107-2004 or ANSI Public Safety 207-2006 High Visibility Class 1, 2, and 3 as the standard.

ANSI 107-2004 Standard
In late 2004, the American National Standard Institute (ANSI) updated the High Visibility Safety Apparel standards for the first time in 5 years. Based on recommendations presented by the International Safety Equipment Standards Association (ISEA), the new ANSI Standard maintained minimum background material and reflective tape, but strengthened design and test requirements for Class 1, 2, and 3 garments. Independent 3rd party fabric and reflective tests must now be conducted by USA accredited test labs to avoid mis-representation as “ANSI”. Apparel Manufacturers must then verify ANSI Class 1, 2, or 3 design requirements are met.

ANSI Class 1 garments are suited for workers well separated from traffic and therefore have lower visibility requirements (Material Requirements: background – 217 sq. in.; retroreflective – 155 sq. in.). ANSI Class 1 garments are to be utilized in work areas where vehicle and equipment speeds are under 25 mph. ANSI Class 1 garments must have reflective which completely encircle the body to meet the clarified encirclement requirement.

Examples of workers who use ANSI Class 1 apparel: parking lot attendants, people retrieving shopping carts from parking lots, workers exposed to warehouse equipment traffic, roadside “right of way” or sidewalk maintenance workers.

ANSI Class 2 garments are intended for use in activities where greater visibility is necessary during inclement weather conditions or in work environments with risks that exceed those for Class 1 (Material Requirements: background – 775 sq. in.; retroreflective – 201 sq. in.). Garments in this class also cover workers who perform tasks that divert their attention from approaching traffic, or that put in close proximity to passing vehicles traveling at 25 miles per hour of higher. ANSI Class 2 garments have the option of any combination of yellow or orange fabrics; combined with yellow, orange, white, or silver reflectives. Class 2 allows the greatest flexibility in design. As the MUTCD and OSHA General Duty clause suggests, most employers will use ANSI Class 2 as the “Best Practices” minimum, and select fabrics, reflective, and pocket configurations designed specifically for their work requirements.

Examples of workers who use Class 2 apparel: Forestry operations, ship cargo-loading operations, roadway construction, utility and railway workers, survey crews, school crossing guards, high-volume parking and/or toll gate personnel, airport baggage handlers/ground crew, emergency response and law enforcement personnel, trash collection and recycling operations, accident site investigators, railroad inspection and maintenance crews.

ANSI Class 3 garments are designed to offer greater visibility to the wearer in complex backgrounds and through and full range of body motions. Class 3 visibility is enhanced beyond Class 2 by the addition of background and retro-reflective reflective material to the arms and/or legs – where vehicle or equipment speeds exceed 50 mph. ANSI Class 3 garments now require both background fabric and reflective on arms or legs to fully define the body (Material Requirements: background – 1,280 sq. in.; retroreflective – 310 sq. in.). This new ANSI Class 3 standard defining body requirement is in support of the MUTCD definition of night time and inclement conditions. Anyone who has suddenly come upon a pedestrian at night knows the importance of increased response time. To meet the new defined body requirement, there are 2 options for customers to choose from as follows: First, ANSI Class 2 vests may be combined with ANSI Class E (Ensemble) shorts or pants to obtain ANSI Class 3 combination. This option allows employers and their workers to choose ANSI Class 2 for their normal hazards, and add pants or shorts for ANSI Class 3 compliance in the night time or inclement weather conditions per the MUTCD. As a second option, where a Competent Person has identified an ANSI Class 3 garment is needed at all times, a standalone ANSI Class 3 vest with short sleeve shirt design meets the new standard.

Examples of workers who use ANSI Class 3 apparel: Roadway construction personnel and flaggers, utility workers, survey crews, emergency response personnel.

ANSI 207-2006 Standard
In January 2006, The Federal Highway Administration published the most recent Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (The MUTCD). This MUTCD revision accepted and coded into law for the first time the ANSI 107-1999 High Visibility Apparel Standard “or subsequent revisions”. The acceptance of the ANSI 107-2004 Standard (the current revision) in the MUTCD was a distinct advancement for highway workers. However for “Public Safety Workers” such as Police, Fire, State Patrol, Emergency Personnel, and other “First Responders” the circumstances and use of High Visibility Apparel on the job was unclear. Many Public Safety workers were exempted from using high visibility apparel, and/or were only partially covered by the ANSI 107 standard and the MUTCD.

In 2006 the Federal Highway Administration announced in a written statement that effective November 2008; all workers working on any highway that received federal funds must wear high visibility ANSI apparel. The new rule now included all public safety personnel; such as law enforcement, emergency workers, fire, EMS, public maintenance, utility crews, and “first responders”. This new requirement applied when performing duties of directing traffic, investigating crashes, handling lane closures, clearing obstructed roadways, and all other disasters within the right of way of federal highways. For practical purposes, any public safety workers on any highway that received federal funds are required to use either ANSI 107 or ANSI 207 high visibility apparel.

Public safety workers acknowledged the risks of on-the-job traffic accidents related to visibility. However, there was also an understanding that competing hazards such as heat/flame exposure for Fire Departments, use of stealth and/or weapons by law enforcement, and fire/chemical/electrical exposure in emergencies required judgment in the use of high visibility apparel. In addition, nontraditional colors were needed such as Police Blue, EMS White, Fire Red, to differentiate public safety personnel from highway workers. The ISEA, working in conjunction with select ‘Public Safety” organizations, began work on a new consensus standard. The result was the publication of the ANSI 207 Public Safety High Visibility Standard, a consensus approved by the canvas method and published in late 2006. The ANSI 207-2006 accepted as “Best Practices” much of the high visibility apparel criteria as defined by the already published ANSI 107-2004 standard for workers exposed to traffic. ANSI 107-2004 definitions of fluorescent fabrics, retro-reflective tapes, 3rd party independent tests of both fabrics and reflectives for color fastness, cleaning, tear, abrasion, flexing, temperature variation, care labels, marking, labels, bursting strength, reflective photometric and physical performance requirements apply to the ANSI 207-2006 standard as well. In all the technical requirements, the ANSI 107-2004 American National Standard for High Visibility Safety Apparel; and ANSI 207-2006, American National Standard for High Visibility Public Safety are nearly identical.

The major difference between the ANSI 107 Highway Workers Standard and the ANSI 207 Public Safety Standard is garment design; ANSI 207 Class 2 has less (450 sq inches) of background fabric and recommends a 5 point break-away design. Law enforcement could now combine Police Blue fabrics with fluorescent orange or yellow fabrics. Fire Service could use traditional orange, red or yellow fabrics; but may also need “Fire Resistant” fabrics per the (NFPA 701) and or (ASTM F-1506) standards as the primary danger may be fire. EMS personnel traditionally used white. Finally the National Incident Management System (NIMS) encouraged the use of color coding response personnel and/or the use of ID panels. The result is new vest designs that combine non-traditional color fabrics with traditional fluorescent fabrics to create entirely new designs for “Public Safety” and “First Responders”. Some of these designs are “One Size Fits Most” to allow for variation in personnel likely to wear these vests in an emergency. Clear and Velcro removable ID panels allow for fast changes in assignments during Incident Management. Velcro 5-Point “Break-away” sides and shoulder designs on select products provide an extra level of Safety. Taken together, the new ANSI 207-2006 standard allows “Public Safety” personnel to maintain their identity as First Responders while using high visibility apparel.

NFPA & ASTM for Fire/Flame/Arc
The forward section of the ANSI 107-2004 acknowledges fluorescent dye may be incompatible with National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) Fire/Arc Resistant fabrics and reflectives. Examples of workers that may need “FR” fabrics include Fire, Emergency, Utility, Metals and Petroleum industry. “FR” and “Arc” ratings will vary depending on the fabric and industry needs. Combined ANSI & FR “Best Practices” may include NFPA FR fabrics, ASTM FR fabrics, and 70E arc fabrics. FR reflective, Velcro, and dielectric snaps are then added.

High visibility apparel must also have multiple garment labels to protect workers from misrepresentation. Labels will include “ANSI” labels, “FR” labels, “Warning/Instructions for Use” labels, and “Country of Origin” labels. Each of these labels is required, and protects you, the user, from purchasing non compliant high visibility apparel. ANSI labels will include information on the Fabric, Reflective, Design, Class, Level, Size, Number of washings, and Washing/Care instructions. An additional label is required if an ANSI garment is Fire Resistant. The ANSI label may state ANSI or ANSI Style based on FR coating compatibility. Specific “FR” labels will clearly identify the Garment as meeting Fire Resistant NFPA 701, the higher Fire Resistant ASTM standard; and/or NFPA 70E Arc.

These governing agencies have all played a pivotal role in defining appropriate levels of worker visibility and benchmarking guidelines that also ensure the garment matches up with the wearer’s job function. By far, ANSI has become the definitive standard by which all high visibility clothing and apparel is designed. This information is presented by HiVis Supply, an affiliate site for Summit Sign and Safety, to aid in the decision process for selecting the appropriate garment style for your specific work environment. To view available ANSI approved apparel, you can visit us online at www.HiVisSupply.com.