Warning clothing in intense, neon colors and with reflective elements to guarantee worker visibility from a distance is the domain not only of law enforcement and traffic workers, but also of the manufacturing, industrial, logistics sectors and many other industries requiring high worker visibility. However, warning clothing is not just thin vests made of reflective materials, but often heavy-duty work clothes adapted for use in harsh working conditions. Where is it used most often, and which workwear is worth reaching for?
The most important characteristics of warning clothing
Warning clothing is designed for use wherever the presence of a worker must be visually signaled both day and night, under artificial and natural lighting, in good weather and high haze. Specific requirements for the protective properties of warning clothing are reported in PN-EN 471:2005, "High-visibility warning clothing for professional use - Test methods and requirements," according to which all warning vests and clothing should consist of a background material of at least 0.5 m2 and a reflective material of at least 0.13 m2. Importantly, the background material should be distributed evenly over the surface of the garment - both on the front and back the surface size should be approximately equal (with a tolerance of ±10%).
Many examples of specialized warning garments used in demanding working conditions are adapted to provide adequate protection of the body from damage or made of combined materials that guarantee the full functionality of the garment. In their case, the garment element is not always covered entirely with the material of the warning color, and it is here that the application of the precise dimensions of the standard is most evident. It is also worth noting that strips of reflective material should, according to the standard, horizontally wrap around the torso, sleeves and trouser legs, and should not be narrower than 50 mm - reflective vertical stripes are not used on warning clothing.
Warning vests - a basic guarantee of visibility in the work environment
By far the most traditional item of warning clothing used in almost every industry and sector is the classic yellow or orange warning vests, equipped with additional reflective elements that guarantee worker visibility from greater distances and in difficult weather conditions. Warning vests can come in a lightweight polyester body in a bright color, ideal for drivers, production and assembly line workers or cleaning workers. Vests of this type are lightweight and simple in design, although at manufacturers such as Vizwell they can also be found in a more elaborate zippered version with numerous practical pockets useful in the work of assemblers or in the construction industry. An interesting solution for those who use vests on a daily basis both in summer and winter are additionally insulated warning vests, which when worn over a fleece or sweatshirt provide good thermal insulation when working in lower temperatures.
Where warning clothing is used - an overview of the most popular applications
Warning clothing can be successfully used on a daily basis (it's a good idea to have it in the car to remain visible during an unexpected car breakdown on the road or while riding a bicycle to safely participate in traffic), but its main use is definitely for people working in hazardous conditions, requiring the use of elements that guarantee good visibility for workers. In addition to the vests mentioned above, full rainproof warning suits are extremely popular, and are used by workers in the construction industry, at airports and ports, as well as by lifeguards, firefighters or law enforcement and traffic workers outdoors in harsh weather conditions.
Warning clothing ensembles can also be composed on their own, with many of the shirts, jackets, sweatshirts and pairs of pants available from the Vizwell brand, and even accessories such as warning caps or suspenders made from matching materials in glaring, bright colors. It's worth noting that thanks to manufacturers such as Vizwell betting on combining warning clothing with full-fledged workwear, it's now possible to reduce the number of layers of clothing worn by workers in demanding industrial sectors or the construction industry without risking their safety at work.
Excellent visibility combined with protection against cuts, dirt or getting wet, as well as full wearing comfort and preserving as much freedom of movement as possible for the worker, are increasingly appreciated in the health and safety market today in every industrial sector. Aviation, logistics, construction industry, production lines, heavy machinery industry, road work, water rescue, firefighting - good quality warning clothing is used virtually everywhere.
