Retro-Reflectors for Enhanced Hi-Vis

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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