Flagger Safety 101

Workers who help control the flow of traffic in work zones are at particular risk of injury or death. According to the Center for Construction Research and Training, also known as CPWR, flaggers’ safety risks include motorists driving at high speeds and aggressive Drivers.

Although working as a flagger is dangerous, workers can take steps to make sure they are seen by drivers. CPW notes that flaggers should wear high- visibility clothing. If working at night, add a reflective vest with reflective tape. Workers also should wear long-sleeved shirts and pants, a hard hat, and other clothing designed for adverse weather.

Also, according to CPWR, flaggers should follow some do’s and don’ts when working.

Do:

Pay attention to the surrounding conditions.

Have an escape route plan in case of an emergency.

Stay in communication with other flaggers.

Don’t:

Stand within a lane of open traffic.

Use hand signals that conflict with traffic signals.

React to aggressive drivers.

Stand in the shade, around a sharp curve or over the crest of a hill.

Listen to music or use earphones.

Turn your back to traffic.

Cyclists’ high-visibility jackets “increase odds of crashes”?

High visibility clothing may increase the chances cyclists have an accident rather than keeping them safer, research has suggested.

A study of 76 accidents by academics found “no evidence” that those who wore reflective clothing “were at reduced risk”.

Jesse Norman, the transport minister, last week said a government consultation in the new year would look at whether cyclists should be forced to wear helmets and high-visibility vests.

But research from the Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust and Nottingham University found “increased odds of a collision crash” among cyclists in reflective clothing, the Sunday Times reported.

The study suggested riders wearing the safety clothing “may have adopted more exposed road positions in the belief that they were relatively conspicuous”.

The results “should be treated with caution” however, as it based only on a small group of volunteers, researchers said.

Other research has reached the opposite conclusion.

A larger study in Denmark of nearly 7,000 cyclists found they had 47 percent fewer accidents causing injuries if a bright yellow jacket was worn.

Cycling campaigners have also warned against making helmets compulsory, insisting that accident statistics do not back up the case.

They argue that the safety equipment can give both cyclists and drivers a false sense of security, while the issue detracts from bigger threats like careless drivers and dangerously pot-holed roads.

More than 100 cyclists killed on British roads last year, latest figures show. A further 3,397 seriously injured, a five percent increase in 12 months.

What is the evidence that wearing hi-vis clothing makes you a safer cyclist?

Roads minister suggests making bright kit mandatory for cyclists in Britain, but what’s the evidence to back up the claim that this could help increase safety?

For several seasons now hi-vis has been fashionable for bike wear. But last month roads minister Jesse Norman suggested that the government’s wide-ranging review of cycle safety would consider if cyclists should be compelled to wear high-visibility clothing if there was evidence for it.

What evidence is there that supports wearing hi-vis clothing?

There’s not a huge body of evidence but there was a Danish randomized trial involving 6,793 cyclists, published in scientific journal Safety Science in August this year.

It found a 47 percent reduction in incidents involving other road users where the cyclist was injured when cyclists were wearing a hi-vis jacket with reflective tapes.

So, does hi-vis clothing work?

It’s not quite that simple. The limitation of hi-vis clothing is that fluorescent colors work by converting UV light in sunlight to something we can see so they’re bright in daylight, but street lights and headlights do not give off much UV light, so it makes little difference in darker conditions.

A 2006 review by health network Cochrane of 42 studies found that drivers were more likely to see pedestrians and cyclists in fluorescent clothing during the day.

It also said that the use of lights or reflective clothing improves cyclists being seen at night.

More recently, in 2010, a study in the Journal of the Australasian College of Road Safety detailed a series of controlled experiments with cyclists in different clothing to see which was most recognizable to drivers at night.

It found only two percent of drivers recognized cyclists in black clothing; this rose to 15 percent for those in a hi-vis vest but reached 90 percent for cyclists in a reflective vest and ankle and knee reflectors – the movement of the cyclists’ legs aids being seen.

However, Cherry Allan, campaigns and policy coordinator at British organisation Cycling UK, points out: “The research suggests that it may help drivers to spot pedestrians and cyclists more readily, but there was no evidence by how much and it was impossible to say whether that made them safer, as spotting them was one thing and driving safely around them another.”

What else can be done?

A 2013 Danish study in Accident Analysis & Prevention found cyclists who use flashing daytime lights had 47 percent fewer collisions with other road users, so running them seems a good idea.

It is also perhaps instructive to heed the results of a 2017 study in the same journal that found drivers who are cyclists tend to be better at spotting cyclists, so perhaps training is the answer.

Dr. Graham Hole, senior lecturer in psychology at the University of Sussex says: “Those who advocate hi-vis clothing think of it in terms of cyclists being small and therefore hard to see but the real problem is when someone pulls out in front of a cyclist.

“Under those sort of conditions cyclists are very large on the retina of the person who is pulling out. It’s not that the person is hard to see in terms of physical characteristics, it’s that people are not expecting to see them.”

EXCLUSIVE CLOTHING FOR ASSISTANCE PARTNERS

The warning clothing of nationwide for assistance partner acting breakdown helpers had come in the years. Working clothing specialist Kübler developed a new collection together with the specialist dealer Drivetex, Eggolsheim. Apart from the red, the brand color of the assistance partner, it has almost nothing in common with the previous one.

 

The bar for the new high visibility clothing could hardly have been higher. “We wanted to find a perfect solution for the activities of the breakdown helper,” explains Erwin Schanda, whose company Drivetex exclusively distributes the new collection nationwide, if desired also as rental clothing with all associated services. In addition, there were harsh price specifications from the Munich headquarters of assistance partner, which required high quality from European production.

 

In order to achieve these goals, users from selected companies were involved in the entire development process. In discussions and through the observation of work assignments, it became clear that a revision of the hitherto used protective clothing was necessary. In the meantime getting old clothes the fit was outdated. The offered size mirror left to be desired, which at the expense of well-being, but also the security went. “We saw here and there rolled-up trouser legs,” reports Schanda. “In the worst case, the specifications of the warning protection class 3 for the surfaces of background and reflective material are then no longer fulfilled, which means that the insurance coverage of the trade association according to the current standard EN ISO 20471 is omitted,” warns Schanda.

 

Employees benefit in many ways

 

The new clothing impresses with its modern, sleek design. She sits like a second skin and still makes every move. This is ensured by Kübler’s specially incorporated comfort zones in the waist, back, neck, arm and knee areas, which are equipped with ergonomically positioned seams, stretch inserts and knit cuffs, among other things. In the pants, the elastic waistband contributes significantly to the excellent fit. The striking look of the clothing in warning red with anthracite-colored contrast inserts and segmented reflective tapes also guarantees a high recognition value for the employees of assistance. The arrangement of the reflective stripes gives the breakdown helpers the best all-around visibility. “Every breakdown assistant and every breakdown helper will benefit from the high wearing comfort and the improved protective function,” emphasizes Klaus Stemig, Managing Director of the assistance partner. Because the new, according to EN ISO 20471 certified high visibility clothing also includes women’s models and covers the complete garment size grid. Special sizes, like 7 XL, are also available. They are individually made by Kübler.

 

Individual wearing comfort

 

With the new high-visibility protection collection, the assistants of assistance partner will be able to choose between different garments. For the summer months, a light work jacket and a vest are ready. As an alternative to men’s trousers, there is a dungaree. For the transitional and winter months, the designers at Kübler have specially developed an onion tray system consisting of thermal underwear, trousers, and softshell jacket or vest as well as a waterproof warning jacket with breathable Sympatex climate membrane. In combination with bib or dungarees, this fulfills class 3 of the warning standard and class 3 of the weather protection standard EN 343. “On the one hand, this takes into account the individual feeling of cold and on the other hand prevents the helpers from working up a sweat when they are in the emergency vehicle,” says Schanda, referring to the comments of the wearers who tested the new clothing in advance.

 

The pocket solutions are also the result of intensive analysis of the typical work processes at assistance partner. For the compulsory carrying tablet work, softshell and weather jacket and the vest on the right chest side were equipped with an inside pocket and zipper. Equally cleverly designed is the Smartphone pocket integrated into the left breast pocket with lateral engagement. The free hanging pocket on the right leg picks up wrenches or other tools. Additional storage space for tools offers the left thigh pocket with zipper. Left and right-handers will enjoy the wide-cut side pockets with overgrip function. The water-repellent knee pockets, which can be quickly filled from above, also prove to be user-friendly. They are certified by Kübler in accordance with EN 14404 in combination with the matching knee pad. Cordura reinforcements on the pockets, knees, and elbows ensure that the clothing will last a long time when it comes to accident and breakdown service.

 

The modern design and high wearing comfort of the high-visibility clothing designed for the Assistance breakdown helpers can also benefit their colleagues in the car workshops. You have the workwear collection Pulsschlag by Kübler at your disposal, which stood by the new high-visibility clothing. Thus, the partner companies of assistance have the opportunity to dress their employees consistently high-quality.

Tips for a safe way to school

The new school year is in the starting blocks. This marks the beginning of a whole new phase of life for many first graders in the district of Leer and in the city of Emden this week with a series of new challenges – on the way to school. So that the little ones on the way to school are not overwhelmed, they need a lot of support especially in the early days. The traffic safety advisors of the police inspection Leer / Emden, Garret Hendricks (district of Leer) and Holder Gartner (city of Emden), appeal to parents and road users to pay attention to some tips to provide the little ones as safe as possible on the way to school.

Tips for the safe way to school:

  1. Avoid school stress: Plan enough time in the morning. Hustle and time pressure lead to carelessness. The safe way to school starts with a good breakfast.
  2. Planning the best routes: Plan and practice the safest way for you and your child together with your child. The shortest way is not always the best. Take a little detour in order to arrive safely at the destination.
  3. Wear bright and high visibility clothing: Equip your child with a safety vest, reflective satchel, reflective jacket or reflective tapes. The motto is: safety through visibility!
  4. Pupil transport by car: Walk and practice the way to school with your children on foot. This is how the child learns to actively and safely participate in road traffic. The daily “parental taxi” with the car carries danger. Many dangerous situations at the schools are caused by the turning, the reversing and the getting in and out of the children.
  5. By bike to school: We recommend that the children go to school only after the theoretical and practical cycling training. This usually takes place in the 4th class. At this age, (about 10 years) of the physical development and the responsiveness are sufficiently well developed.
  6. By bus to school: Children should never cross the road in front of or behind the stopping bus, but wait until the bus continues and visibility is clear. When getting out, children should pay attention to passing cyclists as well as passing pedestrians and should not jostle when boarding.
  7. No distraction by mobile phones / smart phones: The accessibility of children is important for many parents. Nevertheless, the cell phone / smart phone should be safely stowed away in the jacket pocket or bag on the way to school, so that the children can focus on the traffic.
  8. Looking ahead and ready to brake: For motorists, special attention will be paid in the coming weeks. Foresighted driving and a constant readiness to brake are demanded of them in particular in the vicinity of schools, at stops as well as crossing points (for example traffic lights, pedestrian crossings).

In 2017, it came under the jurisdiction of the police inspection Leer / Emden to 18 school road accidents. 14 people suffered light injuries and two injuries. School-related accidents are recorded on the way to school with the participation of children until their 14th birthday. Compliance with traffic regulations on school routes will be a particular focus of police officers in the coming days, so that road users will have to expect more controls in this context.

Confusion around reflective vests for cars

Not so long ago, the motoring public outraged obligation to change the content of these chests, even if it has not been used in any part of them. While experts said that some medical materials have a much longer life than what is declared on the roster. Most drivers take at least this provision as waste.

 

This week, some news sites Nozzle-beating range of drivers with information about the need to replace the mandatory reflective vests for new ones, according to new EU regulations. Then it but responded Transport Minister Dan stream with a simple statement: Drivers may not change reflective vests equipped vehicles.

 

“Protective vests properties that corresponded to the earlier European standard EN 471 are sufficient safety and meet the technical requirements. So I would like to reassure motorists clearly that they do not throw away the vest that you made earlier and not have to buy new ones,” say Dan.

 

Requirement meet the new standard EN ISO 20471 according to the authority applies only to manufacturers, who market the new vests. “We’re the new ones or do not have, but we do not sell anything that does not pay,” said a saleswoman at a gas station Devin under the new bridge, where the editors newspaper tried to buy a new safety vest.

 

People in buying a new reflective vest in any case must now check the label, and whether it conforms to the European standard. Old standard EN 471 is no longer valid.

 

Waistcoat intended mandatory equipment for motor vehicles according to applicable regulations, it is the one that is marked by EN ISO 20471: 2013 and is described on the four-digit identification number of the Notified Body that it tested.

 

According to available information, the “old” vests according to EN 471 were to be resold for cyclists and pedestrians, but the product must be removed the name “Waistcoat” and indicate that this is high visibility clothing. While vest according to the old standard cost around thirty crowns vest according to the new decree will come to around sixty crowns.

 

The new decree brings many surprises and controversies such as the recent controversy surrounding the right of way at roundabouts. Warning vests may not be far from the last.

EN ISO 20471 for high visibility clothing

The EN ISO 20471 is the first international standard for high visibility clothing. It replaces the European standard EN 471st.

But what has changed? And what does the new norm for manufacturers and distributors as well as for consumers / buyers of clothes currently manufactured according to EN 471?

This brings the new warning clothing EN ISO 20471 with itself.

With the new EN ISO 20471 requirements for high visibility clothing for use shall be first established risk-based, in 3 classes specifically designed to protect against ‘high risk’. The previous interpretation of “for professional or business use” of EN 471 is a thing of the past.

Class 3 is still the highest and Class 1 has the lowest protection level, respectively, depending on the amounts of warning agent (background material) and Reflex (retro reflective material).

IMPORTANT: For a use of high visibility clothing the lowest class 1, a combined use with clothing of the higher classes is advisable to increase the visibility.

After the EN ISO 20471, the amount of warning colored background material will be “net” determined. That is, e.g. without logos or other (also provided) imprints.

The warning agent must at high visibility clothing for higher risk levels (classes 2 and 3) for better visibility from all sides in any case, the torso wrap. Also new is that for reflective strips only the higher quality level 2 is allowed. Thus, the mention of the previous number in the new pictogram deleted.

The characteristics of the classes must now be retained even after at least 5 launderings.

Models of Warning clothing from CHILD meet the requirements of the new EN ISO 20471 already. Most models are already according to new standard officially tested and recertified. This is the proof that the CHILD models always provide optimum safety and comply with the latest technology. From childhood until now manufactured according to EN 471 high visibility clothing could be sold off and used without any restriction.

For a use of high visibility clothing in exceptional risk situations with the requirement for maximum safety KID offers the new range of high visibility clothing gemmated® SCOPE (jacket / pants) according to EN ISO 20471 to. This is characterized by a particularly striking design.

The biggest change of the EN ISO 20471 is that high visibility clothing is “risk-based” considered and evaluated. This would especially help the consumer in assessing which is the high visibility clothing for the respective application suitable. The extensive range of high visibility clothing with reflective tapes of CHILD easily meets all requirements.

Please contact us if you have any further questions. We are happy to provide information available.