Three great HiVis Products for End of Summer

Charger Safety Glasses

The Charger safety glasses, from Bobster, feature anti-fog, polycarbonate lenses and a clean wrap around design. The durable, high-gloss, black nylon frame fits securely and comfortably, even on smaller faces. The Charger safety glasses come with a microfiber pouch for easy cleaning and storage when not being worn. ANSI Z87.1 approved.

Black Series Windbreaker

The Black Series Windbreaker by ML Kishigo is activewear inspired high-vis apparel. The windbreaker is a lightweight and flexible design, that utilizes durable, black ripstop material in high wear areas along the sides and under the arms. It also features waist cinches hidden in the front pockets - keeping a clean look. Other features of the windbreaker include: adjustable cuffs, shoulder blade vents, two outside lower pockets with zippers, left chest vertical pocket with waterproof zipper and 2' wide VizLite reflective material. Available in high visibility Lime or Orange; M-5XL. ANSI/ISEA 107 Class 3 compliant.

Professional Surveyor's Vest

The Professional Surveyors vest, from ML Kishigo, is designed to exceed the demanding needs of a highly functional surveyors vest. It is constructed with a solid polyester front /Ultra-Cool mesh back; and features a 2" 3M Scotchlite reflective material laminated to 3" contrasting color – increasing daytime visibility. Other features of the vest include: left and right mic holders; zipper front closure; two lapel grommets; reinforced webbing at high stress points; and a plush neck liner for comfort. The pockets of this surveyors vest include: left chest 2-tier pocket with dual function flap that can be held open by Velcro; large right gusseted pocket; outside lower pockets with flaps; left and right stake pockets; left and right elastic spray can pockets; lower inside left and right full length zipper pockets with load bearing straps; and a hidden back pouch with left and right zipper access. Available in high visibility Lime and Orange; sizes M-5XL. Choose from both ANSI/ISEA 107 Class 2 compliant and ANSI/ISEA 107 Class 3 compliant vests.

HiVis Supply is proud to offer high visibility products 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.

Flagging for Road and Bridge Construction

Per the Florida Department of Tranportation (FDOT) regulations on road and bridge construction, contractors must provide trained flaggers "...to direct traffic where one-way operation in a single lane is in effect and in other situations as required. The Worksite Traffic Supervisor or others as approved by the Department will provide training for flaggers."

Flaggers are often the first line of defense for roadside and highway crews (see poster). Basic skills include:

• The Right Signals for stopping, alerting and allowing traffic to proceed
• The Right Gear Class II or Class III high visibility vests, shirts and foul-weather gear
• The Right Sign Spacing stopping sight distances
• The Right Setup
• The Right Practices
• stand on shoulder in clear view
• always face traffic
• use clear hand signal
• stay alert
• always stand up
• use authorized communication devices
• The Right Training Per jurisdiction

Flaggers must be trained per the MUTCD Section 6E (Flagger Control), and Design Standards Index 600 (Flagging Operations and Night Time Flagging) and (General Information for Traffic Control through Work Zones). The field demonstration shall be a dexterity test using hand-signaling devices (STOP/SLOW paddle and flag) during flagging type operations and placement of traffic control devices.

Instructors may use training videos, handouts, computer based training, or other methods to ensure that the flagger has demonstrated knowledge and proficiency in flagging operations (per FDOT). No formal submittal of this course to the MOTC for review is required. No time requirement is set for the training, but the instructor will be required to keep a record of persons they have successfully trained and the date they were trained.

Go here to order your Know Flagging poster.

Go here to order paddles.

Go to the Workzonesafety.org website for more information including their brochures and fact sheets.

Class 2 and Class 3 Vests

Black Series Heavy Duty Class 2 Vests are made of Ultra Cool™ polyester mesh and are ANSI/ISEA 107 Class 2 Compliant. Class II safety vests are designed for workers who need greater visibility in poor weather conditions, and who are exposed to roadways with traffic that exceeds 25 miles per hour.

Class II vests are ideal for railway workers, school crossing guards, parking and toll gate personnel, airport ground crews and law enforcement personnel directing traffic.

According to ANSI standards, class II vests must have 775 square in. of background material, and 201 square in. of reflective material.

Class 2 vests:

• are designed for moderate risk
• school crossings, parking lots, traffic direction
• less stringent requirements
• smaller than Class 3 vests  

Class III vests are designed to provide the highest level of visibility in extreme weather situations and around traffic going more than 50 mph. They are required to have 1,240 inches of fluorescent background fabric and 310 inches of reflective material. That much fabric is going to make one heck of big vest. That’s why the typical garment that meets the minimum Class 3 requirement is actually a short sleeve shirt with reflective tape. The difference? About 465 square inches of fluorescent material and about 109 inches of reflective tape.

Class 3 vests: 

• visibility in bad weather such as hurricanes or blizzards
• worn by emergency personnel and traffic teams working on freeways and highways
• larger than class 2 vests 

ANSI Class 3 DOT Vest

The ANSI Class 3 DOT vest, from Vinatronics, is a breathable solid polyester with combined performance 2" 3M Scotchlite reflective material. The vest is built to be durable and includes nylon webbed, reinforced snaps. Other features include: cell phone pocket; pencil pocket; two lower oversized kangaroo pockets; snap front closure; and a mic tab. Available in high visibility Orange or Yellow; sizes Small through 5XL. Made in the USA. ANSI/ISEA 107 Class 3 compliant.

What type of hi visibility vest do you need?

HiVis Supply has a created a new High Visibility Workwear search guide to help you find the right vest. Get started, and let us help you find the vest that meets all your job requirements.

There are many considerations when searching for the right hivis vest. Depending on your job site, or if you’re on the roadway, you may be required to wear a certain high-vis vest style including ANSI class 2 vests, ANSI class 3 vests - even non-ANSI vests. Let us show you the difference between each style, and which environment requires which high-vis vest.

Most safety vests are available in orange or lime vests for high visibility. These are the brightest and perform the best. There are also many brands of safety vests. You can stick with one brand for all of your safety vests needs, or pick different brands for different vest types. HiVisSupply has many brands to choose from including 3A Safety, Cornerstone, Ergodyne, Flagstaff, ML Kishigo, Safety Gear USA, Utility Pro Wear and Vinatronics.

Some jobs require special vest designs. The most common vest designs are flame-resistant FR, surveyor and emergency responder. See our safety vest guide to see if there is a design that works best for your specific job. The closure type is another consideration for your safety vests. Velcro closures make removing vests quicker, while zipper closure keep your pockets more secure.

It may seem like your safety vest options are endless. With HiVis Supply, your perfect vest is just a call or click away!

ANSI Class 3 X-Back Microfiber T-Shirt

This ANSI Class 3 X-back t-shirt, from ML Kishigo, features Ultra-Cool microfiber polyester material for comfort and performance. The shirt's X-back design also provides enhanced visibility by allowing oncoming motorist to differentiate which direction you are facing. Other features include 2" wide silver reflective stripes and a left chest pocket. The microfiber polyester material wicks away moisture - helping to keep you both dry and cool. Available in high visibility Lime; M-5XL. ANSI/ISEA 107 Class 3 compliant.

Intense Heat Plays a Part in Roadside Safety

Asphalt and concrete are tough materials to deal with, let along in the intense heat and overbearing sun. In the heat of the summer, roadside safety becomes more than just remaining visible to motor traffic - it's also about staying cool.

The season requires workers to consider two additional factors, sun and heat. The primary place to keep covered from the sun is the head and neck. For this HiVisSupply offers a variety of hats and neck shades. In the scorching heat even the layering of a high-vis vest atop a regular t-shirt can be oppressive. That’s why we recommend our moisture wicking microfiber t-shirts which keep you in compliance and considerably cooler. ML Kishigo, makes products that have you covered for any weather and any season.
In the video above, blog they briefly show the best products for optimizing comfort in the summer heat.

The HiVis shorts, from Vinatronics, are designed for both comfort and visibility. They are made from an all-season, breathable polyester with 2" 3M Scotchlite silver reflective material. Other features include: drawstring waist adjustment and two waist pocket openings. Combine these ANSI Class E shorts with an ANSI Class 2 vest for and ANSI Class 3 compliant ensemble. Available in high visibility Lime or Orange. Made in the USA. ANSI/ISEA Class E compliant.

Work Zone Fatality Reduction Strategies

Recently, the FHWA released a webinar and associated recordings regarding the reduction in work zone fatalities. During this webinar, three States that have experienced reductions in work zone fatalities over the past several years shared their efforts in work zone planning, management, and outreach. Presenters from CA, NC and FL provided examples of how it takes a combination of strategies to make work zones safer and offered suggestions based on their experiences that may help other agencies enhance work zone safety. A recording of the webinar, transcript, and the presentations are now available.

In 2010, there were 576 fatalities in U.S. work zones. We all basically understand that work zones can be hazardous places. People die each and year in work zones. 576 is not just number, but it is a representation of lives lost in work zones. According to data from our Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), the 576 fatalities that we experienced in 2010 were a 13.6% decrease from the prior year, when there were 667 fatalities. This continues the trend of decreasing work zone fatalities that has been occurring since 2002: a 10-year downward trend from when fatalities peaked at 1,186 in 2002.
This is the lowest number of work zone fatalities in 30 years – since 1982 – when there were 489 work zone fatalities. This is all very good news; the number of fatalities is certainly moving in the right direction, and there are more lives saved each year. However, there are still 576 lives lost, and we need to continue to work to reduce that loss of life.

ABove shows a pictorial representation of the number of fatalities over the last 15 years or so. You can see it increased for a little while, but since 2002 we've been on a downward trend, with an even greater decrease since 2006. This slide shows a different representation of the same data to show the trend line.

Check out the webinar and other related items here.

The Brilliant Series vests from ML Kishigo provide 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 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. ANSI/ISEA 107 Class 3 compliant.

ISEA: High-Vis Public Safety Vests Meet FHWA Requirements for Work Zones

High-visibility protective garments are required for right-of-way workers, flaggers, and adult crossing guards in a document called the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), which is the basis for federal and state highway regulations. These garments must be compliant with ANSI/ISEA 107, the American National Standard for High Visibility Safety Apparel and Headwear.

Public safety workers such as law enforcement, firefighters, and other emergency responders have the option of wearing high-visibility vests specifically designed for their use and compliant with the ANSI/ISEA 207, American National Standard for High-Visibility Public Safety Vests.

A revision to the MUTCD published in December 2009 mandates that public safety vests be labeled as compliant with the 2006 version of the standard, or a subsequent revision. ANSI approved the revision to the standard in 2011, and the International Safety Equipment Association (ISEA) requested an interpretation from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) that garments meeting the new standard would be acceptable, pointing out that the requirements of the two standards for daytime and nighttime visibility are essentially the same.

FHWA has agreed, and issued an official interpretation stating that the ANSI/ISEA 207-2011 standard is equivalent to the 2006 version, and that garments labeled as meeting the 2011 standard would be in compliance with the MUTCD requirements.

This article is a re-print from Feb 07, 2012 - Occupational Health and Safety.

PSV Pro 300 Series Police Vest with Blue Trim

The PSV Pro 300 Series Police vest features a durable mesh material with color coded fabric trim for proper public service department identification; along with a high visibility 2" silver reflective material with contrasting background color. Five point breakaway design; as well as snap up flaps to allow greater accessibility to toolbelts and gear. Each vest includes two chest mic tabs. The vest folds into a convenient pouch for storage. The vest also offers 4-season adjustability to accomodate bulky coats.
Be sure to visit HiVis Supply for all of your hi vis safety vest needs including hi visibility vest for flaggers, hi-vis for incident command and emergency responders.