Construction sites require a great deal of attention to detail, especially when it comes to ensuring the safety of employees and visitors. Construction vests help identify who is allowed on the premises and signal which areas are restricted or off-limits. This blog post looks at the different types of construction safety vests and what they mean. It will also explain why it’s so important not just for workers but visitors as well to wear safety vests at all times while on site.
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What is a Construction Vest?
A construction vest is a piece of personal protective equipment worn by workers on a construction site. It’s commonly required by OSHA regulations that employees wear high-visibility clothing while on a worksite. It’s important to note that while some types of vests are classified as “safety vests”, others are not. Always read the labels on each vest, and use your best judgment when deciding which type is appropriate. The most common types of construction vests are high-visibility vests, harness vests, and zip-up vests. Each type has its advantages and disadvantages. But no matter the type, construction vests always have the same goal — to make workers and visitors more visible on a construction site.
High-Visibility Vests
High-visibility vests are a common item on almost any construction site. They’re worn by everyone from construction managers to technicians to general laborers. High-visibility safety vests are made of a highly reflective material that makes workers more visible to passing cars, pedestrians, and other vehicles. For the most part, high-visibility vests consist of bright yellow or orange material with black lettering. While orange is the most common color, construction managers sometimes select yellow to provide a different look and feel to a site. The bright colors are designed to catch the eyes of passersby and provide greater visibility in low-light or night-time conditions.
Harness Vests
Harness vests are worn by workers who need additional protection on a construction site. They are especially helpful for workers who work at heights or might otherwise be at risk of falling or being injured in some other way. Harness vests come in different colors, but the most common type of construction harness vest is bright orange. This is because orange is a highly visible color and is easily spotted in even low-light conditions. Because harness vests are used for more dangerous tasks, they come with a variety of straps and buckles. This is to ensure workers can properly secure themselves and remain safe even in high-risk situations.
Zip-Up Vests
Zip-up vests are a popular item in the construction industry. They are most often worn by supervisors and management but may also be worn by general laborers as well. Zip-up vests are particularly helpful in areas where the weather is cold. While they’re not as bright as high-visibility vests, they provide ample visibility during daytime hours. Zip-up vests are made from reflective materials that allow passing cars and pedestrians to see the workers wearing them. Zippers also make them easier to put on and take off.
Know Your Regulations: What Does Each Color Mean?
Different types of construction vests come in different colors. But what does each color mean? There are three main colors used for construction vests: orange, yellow, and white. Orange vests are meant for construction managers and supervisors. They mean “construction manager” and “supervisor”. It’s important for workers wearing orange vests to act as supervisors and managers at all times. Yellow vests are meant for a variety of team members, including workers who are operating heavy machinery. They indicate a worker is “working at a dangerous location”. White vests are meant for general laborers. They convey that a worker is “non-essential personnel” or “general public”. General laborers mustn’t attempt to direct traffic or work at a dangerous location just because they’re wearing a white vest.
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Bottom Line
Most often associated with high visibility orange and yellow/lime, safety vest colors span a broad spectrum. But what do these colors mean? Can you wear non-hi-vis in place of traditional fluorescent colors? Let’s take a look at the different color options and what they mean.
First of all, we offer almost a dozen different colors of safety vests. And this includes various shades of high-visibility colors like orange, yellow, and lime. There is a reason why these colors seem to be the most prolific. And that is because they provide the most visibility across a large variety of work environments. For workers to meet ANSI (American National Standards Institute) requirements, they must comply with certain color specifications.
And this includes safety vests that meet ANSI Class 2 and ANSI Class 3 standards. Highway and roadway workers for example must comply with OSHA and ANSI safety standards. An ANSI Class 2 safety vest needs to keep workers visible in traffic speeds between 25-50 mph. While an ANSI Class 3 safety vest keeps those working near traffic speeds of 50 mph or greater visible. These vests also require more high-visibility material and have longer sleeves than an ANSI Class 2 vest.
According to OSHA’s construction standard, Subpart G, 29 CFR .201, titled Signaling, daytime work garments for flaggers must be orange, yellow, strong yellow-green, or fluorescent versions of these colors. And for nighttime work in outside environments, garments must also be retro-reflective. The retro-reflective material shall be orange, yellow, white, silver, strong yellow-green, or a fluorescent version that is visible at a minimum distance of 1,000 feet. The color of a protective safety vest must be a contrast to the worker’s background.
Because colors like fluorescent yellow and orange stand out or contrast against most backgrounds, they are often used for safety vests. Wear hi-vis colors when the safety requirements for the job site demand them. But there are other color options for vests when you don’t need ANSI standards met. And this includes colors associated with public service and emergency workers. Red color safety vests are for fire emergency response personnel. And they are from best-selling brands like ERB, Kishigo, and PIP.
In addition to red, first responders like police officers wear blue color safety vests. Some public service safety vest colors like blue and red meet ANSI 207- standards. And there are non-ANSI styles that feature silver reflective stripes for enhanced visibility in emergency situations. Sheriff’s officers wear brown color safety vests. Styles like the Kishigo BZ include a pre-printed Sheriff legend. And incident command styles have a clear plastic cardholder on the front.
Also, incident command style vests come in colors like white, purple, and gray. There are mesh and solid style vests in various shades. ANSI 207- public safety vests help you stand out in a variety of complex backgrounds. And black color safety vests help hide dirt and are often worn by security workers. There are also engineer and surveyor-style black vests with multiple pockets. ANSI Type O Class O1 black safety vests are for off-road use and provide additional visibility to workers who are not exposed to traffic.
Another color option for safety vests is a more traditional green. These non-hi-vis shades of green are most often associated with CERT. Community Emergency Response Teams use these green color safety vests to stand out and stay recognized within their community. And vests like our Full Source PSV-EMS green public safety vest include pre-printed legends to designate authority.
Also, last, but not least, are pink color safety vests. And they range in shades of light pink to bright fluorescent pink. Women’s pink safety vests help you stand out from the traditional. They include styles fitted for the natural shape of women. The pink color is also worn for events and to promote awareness for social causes like Breast Cancer Awareness.
In conclusion, safety vests come in a variety of colors. And they are worn to designate authority, help you remain visible, and for personal style. No matter the reason, safety vest colors are more than high visibility.
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