Safety Tidbit #2.5 – I can’t see you
National Work Zone Safety website
Well it’s Labor Day and many schools are back in session. Which means, the days are growing shorter or at least the daylight hours in a given day are less. And to continue the logic, our evenings are becoming darker. I wish to talk about Hi-Visibility vests. They are becoming more common as you see them on all construction sites and anyone that works on the roadways. This is mainly due to The Federal Highway Administration’s Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices or MUTCD which requires the use of high-visibility apparel because of the significant danger of being struck by vehicular traffic. This goes for all people that way work (or play) on or near the highway. It is difficult enough to see people on or near the road but when you compound it with low light are the glare from a setting sun, visibility is even more difficult.
According to the Federal Highway Administration’s 2006 Worker Visibility Rule, high-visibility safety apparel is defined as “personal protective safety clothing that is intended to provide conspicuity [to make readily visible] during both daytime and nighttime usage, and that meets the Performance Class 2 or 3 requirements of the ANSI/ ISEA 107-2004 publication entitled ‘American National Standard for High-Visibility Safety Apparel and Headwear.’”
The use of high-visibility safety apparel allows motorists and equipment operators to see workers distinctly, reducing the risk of worker injury or fatality. And like many of OSHA’s Construction safety regulations, MUTCD also requires that selection of the apparel be made by a competent person designated by the employer. However, as consultants we need to be aware of condition of the High-Visibility PPE. The PPE must be inspected routinely looking if it has become faded, torn, dirty, soiled, worn, or defaced. PPE used daily might only have a service life expectancy of approximately 6 months, although if worn infrequently may have a useful service life of up to 3 years. Therefore, if you see High-Visibility clothing in ill repair or very dirty you should make the employer aware of OSHA’s PPE standard (1910.132 and 1926.95) that require PPE to be maintained in a clean, sanitary and reliable condition.
Performance Class 1
· Background material equals 217 inches
· Retroreflective or combined performance material with background material equals 155 inches
· Combined-performance material used without background material equals 310 inches
Performance Class 2 – (Mowing, inspection, Adopt-a-Highway)
· Background material equals 755 inches
· Retroreflective or combined performance material with background material equals 201 inches
Performance Class 3 – (Nighttime, high-speed roadways, urban or high crash areas)
· Background material equals 1,240 inches
· Retroreflective or combined performance material with background material equals 310 inches
Performance Class E – (worn with Class 2 or 3 to become an ensemble)
- Background material equals 465 inches
- Retroreflective or combined performance material with background material equals 108 inches
Public Safety Apparel (Fire service, EMS, law enforcement)
· Background material equals 450 inches
· Retroreflective or combined performance material with background material equals 201 inches
So, when do most of us get outside to exercise and when are the kids able to play? In the evenings since our days are spent at work and the kids are in school (I hope). Let’s think about being seen while we are out getting our exercise because the roads are a dangerous place to be.
Hope this was helpful and thanks for reading my Safety Tidbits ~ Bryan
http://safety-tidbits.blogspot.com/
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