THE SCIENCE BEHIND HIGH-VISIBILITY CLOTHING

Please welcome Mike Moloney as Canada Moto Guide’s safety columnist. Mike is an advanced motorcycle instructor with RoSPA, Britain’s Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents. In 1983, Mike founded The Sportbike Rally, which took place in Parry Sound. Mike is a veteran of dozens of self-organized international tours and cites his favorite destination as, “next”.

Do you consciously choose to wear high-visibility (hi-vis) motorcycle gear such as a jacket, vest or helmet? Why? Does it simply seem like a sensible idea, or is it because of a traffic incident where you weren’t seen?

And what exactly do we mean by hi-vis clothing? Wikipedia describes it as “any clothing is worn that is highly luminescent in its natural matte property or a color that is easily discernible from any background.” That’s pretty much the opposite of camouflage, which is “the use of any combination of materials, coloration, or illumination for concealment.”

Brightly colored clothing is not only easier to see, but it registers with more priority to the human eye.

Perhaps, on your motorcycle, you’ve experienced the distinct displeasure of being on the receiving end of the time-worn phrase, “Sorry, I didn’t see you.”

An accompanying police accident report might contain the line, “The driver looked, but failed to see”, which is useful only to a statistician. While car drivers are not deliberately trying to cause us harm there remains the unfortunate fact that, all too often, we are not being seen.

Why is this? Like it or not, we are part of the problem. There is an assumption among riders, a common belief, that we are being seen, not just merely ignored, but there are many factors that can determine our visibility to others. Let’s start with Global Precedence.

Global Precedence is the visual big picture. Generally speaking, a motorcycle is only a small portion of the big “global” picture, particularly when head-on to an approaching vehicle. A person’s eyes, and recognition, go to the largest objects first. Our brains process that information almost twice as fast as the local aspects. If something, anything, is larger and visually more compelling, that is where another road user is most likely to first focus their attention. It takes precedence.

Roger Foster, seen (easily) while out for a ride near Las Vegas on his Suzuki, jumps out visually on a grey day.

Making it work

Working from empirical data, safety regulators in many countries now stipulate a certain amount of retro-reflective material for motorcycle jackets. This usually involves a minimum amount of striping or piping on areas such as shoulder and arms. In some places, such as France, it even includes helmets (18 square cm for French heads, if you must know). A better strategy is for the entire area of the jacket, vest or helmet to be one luminescent color, making you appear as both a brighter and larger object.

“But”, we hear some riders say, “I’ll look like a dweeb”.  Well, we know that fashion is fickle and subjective but if Harley-Davidson can see the benefits of including plenty of hi-vis safety clothing in its catalog – although it does tend to orange for some reason – then surely it has passed a key chic-to-wear test.

Let’s face it: no one goes to a hospital for the fine dining. Since we’re among the most vulnerable of road users, those things that may be able to give us a distinct safety advantage should be worth our consideration. When you’re the one waiting for the ambulance to arrive, do you want to hear someone say, “Sorry, I didn’t see you”?

Bright clothing is just one aspect of providing useful information to other road users. There are also some options for making our machine more visible. Beyond that, we must look within ourselves. Factors such as our position on the road, bearing, and speed is key components of being seen by others. We can look at these in future articles.

Alright then, I’m outfitted like a motorized macaw. Can you see me now?

What to consider when choosing safety clothing & equipment

Safety clothing and equipment is crucial in some workplaces to help keep people protected from certain hazards. It is the responsibility of the employers and workers to ensure that they use the correct safety clothing and equipment while working.

Apart from the protection that PPEs offer, they also help companies reduce the risks of getting into trouble with the law. Some workplaces are legally mandated to have PPE. Given the pressure that comes with owning personal protection equipment, the process of choosing the right one can be very challenging. Below are some factors to consider.

Assess and Understand the Environment

The most important step is assessing the hazards around the workplace to decide what the right PPE is. You need to be open-minded and understand the effects of each hazard. This process needs the collaboration of different people as this will make it easier to identify these hazards and decide on the right safety clothing with reflective tape and equipment to get for the company staff. It is important to include an independent contributor who doesn’t work in the company so that he or she can provide an unbiased solution.

Know the Right Gear

Before approaching a manufacturer such as Engelbert Strauss to get the PPE, you should be sure of what you need. The gear that a person operating a chemical plant needs differs from that of a construction worker. Hazard assessment will help you determine the kind of PPE you need according to the risks involved. After determining the threats that workers are faced with in their day-to-day activities, you will be in a position to get them the right gear. Some of these threats include impact injuries, sharp objects, extreme temperatures, biological threats, dust, and radiation. When picking the PPE, do so while keeping in mind the risks you identified during the assessment phase.

Once you have picked out the right gear and equipment, the next step should be to train your employees on how to use it. Training begins with the employer making sure that his workers understand what kind of safety clothing and equipment they need and when they require it. The process should include how to put on, remove and adjust the gear and equipment. It is the perfect time to confirm the sizes. The right size is normally determined by the type of the job, size of the wearer and whether there is a need for the employee to wear more protective clothes under the gear. Wearing the gear is not enough. Your workers should simulate their work activities to see how well it fits, which should be perfect. It should not fit too loose or snugly.

Training should also include the PPE limitation, useful life, maintenance, and care and disposal. For example, those working in chemical processing plants should be trained on the proper method to safely dispose of the PPE. This is because exposed clothing is also a hazard.

Go for Quality and Durability

The material and design type of safety clothing will determine its durability. If you buy a helmet that has been made from the cheapest plastic, it will not serve you for more than a couple of weeks. Go for gear that will serve the worker for a long time. Some of these PPEs come with information tags, detailing how long they can last. Do not forget that their durability will be affected by the environment where they get used. Go through the warranty that the manufacturer offers to determine the issues it covers.

As for quality, never compromise it for a lower price tag. Always go for the highest quality and choose products that have met the specified standards. For example, getting your workers footwear made from a cheap material will not prevent the risk of static discharge, which can cause injuries. Ensure the manufacturer has used the finest material and quality build for safety clothing and equipment.

If you follow the above steps, you will keep all your workers protected and make the workplace safe.

Short days and less bright streets: dangerous autumn and winter

In this period of the year, the hours of daylight are reduced, particularly in the morning and at dusk, considerably affecting the number of road accidents. In the last 10 years it has been noted that from November to February, from 05.00 to 09.00 and from 17.00 to 19.00, the probability of being injured or killed in accidents increases up to 58% compared to the rest of the year. This percentage is higher for less protected users, such as motorcyclists, cyclists, and pedestrians. The TCS, on the occasion of the international day of light, draws attention to this danger and to the need to see and be seen.

The TCS recommends that the most vulnerable road users pay particular attention to the visibility conditions, adopting a defensive guide and equipping themselves with clearly visible and season-appropriate safety clothing. The accidents that see them involved are more frequent in these months, characterized by reduced brightness and difficult atmospheric situations.

Motorcyclists, cyclists, and pedestrians at risk

For motorcyclists, the risk of accidents in the morning, from November to February, is almost 60% higher than in the other months of the year. This time slot, in addition to that between 17.00 and 19.00 (for a total of 6 hours), counts – over 24 hours – more than 40% of the motorists involved in an accident.

Even cyclists are equally exposed to these dangers in the same critical period of the year. A traditional cyclist is 52% more likely to incur an accident between 05.00 and 09.00 and even has an additional 54% chance that such an accident will cause serious injury or death. This last risk also affects drivers of electric bicycles with a percentage of 43% in the same time slot.

Pedestrians are the most vulnerable users in road traffic, particularly in winter. The greatest number of accidents happens in the morning with 44% more than 25% which is usually included at the end of the day.

Some tips to move safely

Road users are responsible for their vision and to be seen at all times. This golden rule is even more important for users who do not drive, so they are not protected by a body and are therefore more vulnerable in road traffic.

To be able to see well, in this period characterized by short days, cyclists and motorcyclists must check the lighting of their vehicle, before setting off. For their part, pedestrians must favor well-lit paths, to observe traffic well and prevent, where appropriate, dangers.

At the same time, it is advisable to increase one’s visibility. Drivers on two wheels can equip them with reflectors and wear light or reflective clothing with reflective tape. Clothing is an essential factor for safety, even for pedestrians. The “Made Visible” campaign, conducted by the TCS with the Road Safety Fund, provides numerous attractive solutions to combine fashion and visibility in all circumstances. Scarves, stickers, pendants, stylized backpacks: the possibilities to make oneself more visible are not lacking!

Prevent children’s traffic accidents with safety clothes

Under the theme of “Protecting children from traffic accidents with fashion,” students at the Bunka Fashion College, a vocational school, created stylish “child safety clothes” that are easy to see for drivers. On the 5th, there was a final review meeting at the same school, and “honey bee raincoat” was selected as a Grand Prix from among works using fluorescent fabrics and reflective materials.

Rainwear with the image of Sentai Heroes and vests for men and women combining denim and fluorescent fabrics. Ten teams of first-year fashion engineering basic courses presented their work at the judging panel.

Clothes using reflective fabrics and fluorescent fabrics are called “high visibility safety clothes” and there are official standards for adults such as vests worn by road workers, but there are many color and design restrictions, it is difficult to apply for children.

From May this year, students took lectures and conducted market research, and worked on clothing design and production. A popular vote was held by visitors at a cultural festival last month, and the top 10 teams faced the judging.

In the screening, eleven experts inside and outside the university, such as traffic safety education organizations and apparel-related experts, comprehensively evaluated the items that they wanted to wear and want to wear, in addition to safety and fashion.

Grand Prix raincoat designed bee color and shape. It is a conspicuous color of yellow and black. The waterproof cover on the back that can cover the school bag has an image of transparent wings and a flower on the bottom. Leader Momoka Kudo (19) said, “I wanted to make use of the features of bees, such as the roundness of the buttocks and stripes, in the design.”

The initiative is the second year this year. The school was sponsored by the Nissenken Quality Evaluation Center, which promotes the spread of safety clothing.

Mandatory equipment does not change

The mandatory equipment of the car does not change with the arrival of the new Traffic Act, as it is determined by another regulation. The spare wheel does not have to have every car and a reflective vest with reflective tape is included.

The panic around the color of the reflective vest is unfounded. The new law orders it to be used.

The new regulations on the mandatory equipping of vehicles came into force three years ago and were not changed by the new Road Traffic Act. It only determines how and when to use individual equipment elements on the road. This is particularly true of the reflective vest, which must be within a comfortable and fast reach of the driver. He should get out of the car dressed if possible. Owners of vehicles with xenon lamps do not have to have spare lamps, but they must not lack other bulbs used for the exterior lighting of the car. At least one of each species. The fire extinguisher does not belong to the mandatory equipment of the car in Slovakia, but it is necessary and recommended. Many modern cars might not burn completely if the driver had a fire extinguisher in their car.

Panic with vests

The new law imposes an obligation on the driver to wear safety clothing if he/she is on a road outside the vehicle during an emergency. Failure to comply can result in a fine of up to € 60.

No penalties shall be imposed for green or yellow-green. Although the new law provides that a driver may not wear a vest that is interchangeable with safety clothing used by armed forces or armed security forces, the type and color of the reflective vest are determined by a decree of the Ministry of Transport on compulsory car equipment.

Police vests have an inscription on the back and a different fastening than the vests available on the market, so there should be no confusion. “We chose other vests for police officers, which have several reflective elements, are shorter and designed to have access, for example, to weapons,” said Eva Uhliarikova of the Ministry of the Interior. The reflective vest in the car is designed to give visibility and protection to the driver of the car, so its use will be monitored.

There is not always a reserve

The spare wheel to be used in the event of a puncture must have only cars that not equipped with a special adhesive kit or Runflat tires that allow the puncture to travel. This also applies to the jack and wheel removal tools. Tires with Runflat technology have long been used by BMW vehicles. Their owners do not have to carry the spare wheel until they have ordinary tires on their car. “We have no problem with the Slovak regulations because it is homologated by the manufacturer and we use Runflat throughout Eastern Europe,” confirmed Milan Stupka of the BMW Group. Since February, winter tires on snow and ice are mandatory. This does not apply to the spare wheel, which may not have a winter tread pattern and can be used in an emergency even on snow and ice.

The late arrival of winter, along with the new traffic law, should force drivers who have not used these winter tires to buy or not to drive after the snow. In the tire repair shops after the first of February, there was no increase in interest, even though the spring break of the Bratislava region was approaching and it is snowing in the Orava and the Tatras. “Those who want to use winter tires have bought them,” said Marin, tire service owner. Some sizes of winter tires are a problem to get because they just sold out. In that case, the alternative dimension of the technical license must be looked at.

It is worth to slow down and take care of safety

When the time comes to prepare for holidays, we often find queues in stores, more cars appear on the roads, the sidewalks are not a bit more crowded, and people in this pre-holiday chaos lose their vigilance. However, for the holidays to be joyful, first of all, we must remember about security because a moment of inattention would be enough to lose what is important to us.

 

“We will look after the safety of the inhabitants of our region, additional patrols will appear on the roads, the prevention officers already control, among others, shopping centers, bazaars, and bus stop, because it is in these places that during the holiday preparations we note the most thefts,” says young asp. Patrycja Kaszuba, KPP press officer, who wears a safety clothing with reflective tapes.

 

However, it is also worth taking care of your own safety. The police officers prepared some tips for peaceful holidays. Following these tips will help you avoid unpleasant situations and spend the holidays in a joyful atmosphere:

 

Separate the money in your purse and put it in different places. If possible, do not take more cash, unnecessary credit cards and documents for shopping.

Close the bag and carry it from the front. Do not put it away by paying at the box office, shopping or trying on clothes in the store. The thief is only given a moment of inattention.

Do not show others the contents of the wallet by paying for shopping.

Do not store documents and money in the back pockets of trousers, in the outer pockets of your coat or jacket.

Do not provoke a thief with clothing and jewelry. Pickpockets often watch their victims earlier. They pay attention primarily to people well dressed and looking prosperous.

Select the PIN code you entered with your other hand when selecting cash from the ATM. In addition, choose ATMs that are well-lit and do not stand out of the way. If you decide to collect more cash, it is worth to have someone trusted with us. Do not keep this money in one place. Separate them. Even if we are looted by a pickpocket, we will not lose the entire amount.

When traveling with mass media, do not sit in empty compartments. When traveling, try not to fall asleep. Look after your luggage.

Do not carry keys to the flat together with the documents where your address is given. In the event of their theft, the thief can also rob your home.

 

When planning a holiday trip, remember to secure the apartment – burglars do not celebrate, and the apartment is a tasty morsel for them!

Close all doors and windows well.

Ask your friendly neighbor for alertness and attention to our apartment, and in the absence of lighting in the evening light, taking mail, etc.

Do not leave more cash and valuables in the apartment. Valuable things can be deposited in the bank or photographed, written in factory numbers, marked – then, in the event of theft, it will make it easier to find them.

If after returning, it is found that the burglary has occurred, let us not move anything and immediately call the police.

 

When preparing for the trip, let’s do everything to make it safe!

Use good judgment and follow traffic rules.

Absolutely remember about fastened seat belts and armchairs for children.

Do not sit behind the wheel after drinking alcohol, even in small amounts.

Park only in well-lit and visible places, and do not leave luggage on the seats.

The fire heat bounces off them

Safer and more convenient: The volunteer fire brigade Steinenbronn has bought new operational safety clothing. A uniform costs 1000 euros.

 

Stefan Turata wears his fire uniform for more than ten years. And the missions have left their mark. The reflective tapes are already dissolving. “The first broken,” says the commander of the volunteer fire Steinenbronn. Also, the fabric is frayed in some places. But the new uniforms for him and his comrades are already in sight. They are stored in boxes in a corner of the guard’s lounge. A new uniform costs 1000 euros. Overall, the new operational clothing for the assets of the weir with 55 000 euros to book.

 

Quickly available

Turata’s colleague, second deputy commander Sven Horvath, is already wearing new clothes to show what’s different. “We ordered them in sand colors because they are more visible,” says Horvath. The firefighters carry them always in operations, not only in fires but also when they help after traffic accidents. Another advantage of the new uniform is that it belongs to the standard program of the manufacturer. “That way, uniforms can be delivered to more members faster than if the company has to wait until they have enough jobs in orange.”

 

Horvath opens his new jacket. “She has an air cushion in here, which absorbs the heat during a fire,” he says. Before the firefighters ordered the new uniforms, some of them tested it. “We also paid attention to the wearing comfort,” says Horvath. Because when deployed they would have to concentrate entirely on their work. The pants are high cut, have wide straps and are partly reinforced. “Because we often work on our knees,” says Horvath. Compared to former uniforms and helmets, the forces would have to adapt. “They’re so close now that we do not feel the heat in a fire,” says Horvath.

 

Heat not noticeable

Soon, all his colleagues will get the volunteer fire department the new operational clothing. “We just have to sort them out and provide them with the personnel number. Then we can swap them for the old ones. “The fact that these are now worn out after more than ten years also has to do with the operations of the armed forces. “After every fire, we have to wash them because of the toxins,” says Sven Horvath. Previously, they were less often washed to save the material.

Alliander makes safety clothing circular

The personnel of network operator Alliander receives circular safety clothing. All 2,600 technicians must have new clothing before the end of the year. With the circular safety clothing, Alliander wants to take a step towards circular operational management.

 

A consortium of three companies can supply the package of new clothing. The package includes safety clothing with reflective tapes, work clothing, and personal protective equipment. Employees can order new clothing via an app, it will be delivered within 24 hours.

 

Tailored to staff

According to the network manager, the clothing is better tailored to the work of the staff than before. A thermopile with long sleeves is now provided. “Warm in the winter and cooling in the summer,” Alliander describes. With the new clothing, the fit is also adapted to the work that is done.

 

With the circular clothing, Alliander also appeals to employees: the clothing must last as long as possible. Any damage to the clothing must be repaired as quickly as possible. Clothing that can no longer be used is taken by a textile recycler. The clothing is then recycled into a product of the same level; an old reflective jacket gets a second life as a safety jacket. If that is no longer possible, the clothing is processed into, for example, insulation material or car upholstery.

 

Circular in other ways

Alliander applies the circular principle in more places. For example, two buildings of the company were made circular during a recent renovation. In Arnhem, an office uses geothermal heat and cold to sustainably cool and heat. The energy that is needed is generated by solar panels on the roof. The building also has an energy buffer to store generated solar energy.

 

Other companies

Circular clothing is used by more companies. Last year the police announced that they would reuse the discarded uniforms. Hostokay staff and a number of construction companies have been wearing circular clothing for some time.

Professional clothes with new unique features!

Now Husqvarna updates its range of protective clothing. Here we see the new Tech-Knee, a pre-bent knee joint with improved saw protection and in water-repellent material. Another long-awaited novelty is the specially designed forest jacket for women.

Husqvarna’s protective clothing targets both forestry professionals and other demanding users. Now all collections have been updated with new design and unique smart features that make them even safer and more comfortable to work with.

The biggest news comes in Technical Extreme, Husqvarna’s most advanced protective clothing for professionals – and now also for professional women. For the first time, the Extreme jacket is launched in a long-awaited ladies model, uniquely designed for women who need the best possible safety clothing for an active working day.

Another revolutionary novelty is the Tech-Knee pants, a new innovative knee feature that effectively protects without affecting freedom of movement. The entire knee area on the front of the pants has been reinforced with extra saw protection layers formed after the knee to provide optimal protection regardless of working position. New water-repellent materials both on the inside and outside of the knees provide the best protection against moisture. The entire Technical Extras collection also has reflective protection with reflective fabrics and recessed ribbons.

Another exciting new feature is the Robust pants, a pair of extra durable waist pants, which is one of the world’s strongest fiber materials.

For those who need protective clothing with high comfort, which is easy to move in, the Technical Collection has been developed. The garments are made of thin, elastic fabrics with a figure-like fit and pre-bent knees and elbows to become really comfortable.

The Functional and Classic ranges are for those who sometimes work with forest and outdoor work. Here are launched new jackets with extra ventilation, more pockets and better protection for knees and ankles.

Rubix creates an innovative EPI catalog

Rubix has just released “Your EPIs in 24 hours”. The new catalog of the group has an innovative approach, in addition to containing more than 4,000 products, it focuses on the provision of solutions for industrial plants. The aim is that those responsible for prevention have, in addition to the wider range of PPE, solutions, and services that improve prevention in industrial plants.

At the beginning of each section of the catalog, professionals in prevention have at their disposal information and services that allow them to prevent potential problems associated with industrial activity and select the products that best suit the needs of their plant.

This is the case of the problem of hearing loss, which is considered the most common occupational disease worldwide with more than 360 million affected. The new Rubix catalog includes practical information on noise measurement standards and the types of protection each decibel scenario should have. The purpose is, in addition to presenting its range of hearing protection products, to offer solutions on how to optimize the hearing protection of industrial operators. For example, through the Honeywell hearing protection validation service that customizes the analysis of the level of attenuation of plugs, adapting it to each company. Or through the service, offered with “Medop”, of automation of request and delivery of tailored caps.

Solutions for all EPI families

The provision of solutions is transversal to all sections of the catalog and ranges from eye protection (with the 3M protection goggles validation service) to the solutions to select the most suitable footprints for each operator.

Highlights the information on hand protection by the new categorization of risks that has introduced the recent EPI regulations. This new regulation contemplates 3 risk categories. Category 1: Minimum, category 2: Intermediate and category 3: Very serious. Because each category corresponds to different glove typologies, the catalog informs about the requirements established by this new regulation for each category. In this way, the correct choice of the glove is facilitated according to its application or the job position for which it is intended.

The most extensive catalog on the market

Professionals can find in the twelve sections of “Your EPIs in 24h” more than 4,000 products of the first brands of hearing protection, eye protection, respiratory protection, head protection, hand protection, safety clothing and protection, chemical clothing and disposable, welding protection, safety footwear, protection, fall protection, as well as gas detection and plant safety. All this, available in 24 hours.

“At Rubix, we continue to bet on occupational health and safety, and our objective is that all our clients count on us as a reference partner when implementing improvements in the area of risk prevention”, explains Jesús Martínez Planas, CEO of Rubix Iberia.

Among the references in the catalog, figure GISS, brand exclusively distributed by Rubix, which extends its product range in relation to the previous edition with ergonomics solutions or spill control systems and antifatigue carpets, among others.

7 reasons to trust your security to Rubix

The launch of the new catalog is one of the 7 reasons why the industry must entrust its safety to Rubix. “Reasons such as integral management, since it offers different PPE supply and management systems, the immediate availability of the more than 4,000 references of the new catalog with 24-hour delivery time or the company’s service focus. the hand of the main brands in the sector “says Jesús Martínez Planas.

Other reasons, “Our complete technical advisory service, the fact that we are specialists in professional clothing, our comprehensive service of work at height and commitment to saving Rubix.”Jesús Martínez adds.