Mandating the MUTCD Final Rule for High Visibility

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

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

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!



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!

HiVis Supply is a reseller of high visibility apparel including ANSI approved clothing 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.

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

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

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.