The Importance of Being Seen

Every year, around 70 people are killed and 2000 seriously injured in accidents involving vehicles in and around workplaces. Often, accidents are the result of pedestrians being struck by forklift trucks or reversing lorries, whose drivers are unaware of the presence or movements of pedestrians in their vicinity. Preventative measures such as the use of EN471 compliant, high visibility clothing can dramatically improve the visibility of pedestrians, improving their safety and reducing the risk of accidents and subsequent litigation.

Under health and safety legislation, the employer is legally responsible for the health and safety of employees and visitors on site. When an occupation requires a person to wear a hi-vis garment, the employer is legally bound to supply, free-of-charge, a garment that complies with the European Standard EN471. In the event of a workplace accident, if the employer is found to be negligent, he or she may be at risk of prosecution, which in turn may lead to heavy fines, bad publicity and poor workplace morale.

Colin Chatten from HSE's Injuries Reduction Programme says, "To demonstrate best practice for the health and safety of employees and visitors on site, responsible employers should assess delivery, collection and other vehicle movement risks and reduce them as far as reasonably practicable. Ideally, pedestrians and vehicles should be kept separate at all times, but there are instances when pedestrians may be required in loading/unloading areas or for instance, on construction sites. In terms of safety procedures, employees and site visitors should always use personal protective equipment as a last resort or when it is the only means of protection. The use of EN471 compliant, hi visibility clothing is an excellent means of improving the visibility of pedestrians and can dramatically reduce the risk of being struck by a moving vehicle."

Over 25 million working days are lost annually as a result of workplace accidents, injuries and ill-health. Workplace transport is the second biggest cause of fatal accidents and the third biggest cause of major injuries in the British workplace, but until the occurrence of a serious accident, employers and employees often do not recognise that vehicle activities need to be properly managed to ensure a safe workplace.

The adoption of high vis clothing has never been more needed. High Visibility clothing is a simple, cost-effective way to improve the visibility of people 24 hours a day. The fluorescent background material of a high visibility garment provides daytime visibility while the reflective material around the chest, arms or legs of garments provides night-time reflectivity - a winning combination that can dramatically reduce the risk of pedestrians being struck by a moving vehicle in any working environment.

Legislation & Standards - EN471 High Visibility Garments

Class 2 - Intermediate Level of Protection

Sleeveless waistcoats, tabards, bib and brace trousers.
0.5m² fluorescent material.
0.13m² retroreflective material.

Class 3 - Highest Level of Protection

Coats and jackets with sleeves, coveralls, two piece suits.
0.8m² fluorescent material.
0.2m² retroreflective material.

In-use Test Requirements

Retroreflective materials; brightness after:

• Rainfall performance
• Temperature variation
• Abrasion
• Cold folding
• Flexing
• Washing
• Dry cleaning

Fluorescent materials; brightness after:

• UV exposure
• Dimensional change
• Water vapour resistance
• Colour fastness
• Mechanical properties

Why has EN471 been revised?

• All EN standards can be revised every 5 years, if this is considered necessary.
• EN471 was first published in 1994 and the European Technical Committee decided to start the EN471 revision process in 1999.
• Revision was based on requests from test houses and committee members asking for minor changes to be made to the standard, mainly in the area of increased design freedom.
• The revision work has now been finished, and the new standard – EN471:2003 - was made official in April 2004.

What has changed?

1. Fluorescent Background Materials
• The garment must have similar quantities of fluorescent material on the front and back of the garment.
• The colour box for fluorescent red and red-orange background materials has been made slightly larger.
• The colour box for fluorescent yellow stays the same, but minimum luminance factor (brightness) is slightly lower.
• Minimum tensile strength is now related to the weight of the fabric.
• The requirement for bursting strength is reduced.
• Harnesses, tabards and non-breathable waistcoats do not need to be tested for water vapour resistance.
• Any non-fluorescent materials in the garment should be tested for colour fastness.
2. Retroreflective Materials
• Retroreflective bands can have an inclination of a maximum of 20°.
• Retroreflective bands on the sleeves do not need to correspond to the stripes on the torso (Clause 4.2.4).
• Retroreflective bands on the legs can be freely positioned from the bottom of the leg.
• For garments that are expected to be commercially laundered, retroreflective material must be tested according to ISO15797 Industrial Laundering Wash Test Method for 5 cycles.

What has changed?

• EN 471: 2003 is now the valid version of the standard.
• Any new garment designs manufactured from now onwards must be certified to this new version of EN471.
• Existing garment designs with EC Type certification do not need re-certification, provided that EN471:1994 is clearly referenced on the label (advice from MTL).
• Concerns from background coated fabric manufacturers re. reference to a new breathability test method within EN471 for waterproof garments.
• UK version of EN471:2003 contains a national foreward describing these objections.
• Due to expressed concerns from background materials manufacturers and some additional imprecision noted by the Benelux regions, an amendment process has been started. (An amendment is like a revision of a standard, but strictly limited to only a few discussion points.) Modifications to the standard have been drafted and are now in the approval phase. The amended standard might be published already in 2007, if European agreement is immediately reached. Main proposed changes are in the colour fastness requirements of background materials.
• Buyers advised to check with suppliers to make sure that their specification still allows them to use their preferred fabric.

Local High Visibility Regulations

In addition to EN471, there are a number of other local regulations that are applicable to certain situations and which may be of relevance to you when writing a specification.

New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 Safety at Street Works - a code of practice.

The New Roads and Street Works Act 1991, relates to those working on local authority roads. The acts' code of practice, formerly called the "Blue Book" now called the "Pink Book" came into effect Feb. 2002. It requires that:

"High visibility clothing conforming to BS EN 471, Table 1, Class 2 or 3, which must be worn at all times. It will comply with the requirements of clause 4.2.3 (b) in all cases."

"Jackets with sleeves in accordance with clause 4.2.4 and to Class 3 must be worn on dual carriageway roads with a speed limit of 50mph or above."

"The colour of the background material should normally be fluorescent yellow from Table 2 of BS EN 471 and the retroreflective material should comply with Table 5".

Chapter 8 Traffic Signs Manual

This document is a condition of contract for all maintenance schemes carried out for the Department for Transport. It also acts as a code of practice for those working on any roads other than those managed by the Highways Agency. Currently it calls up the old British Standard 6629, which has been superseded by BS EN 471.

"For their own safety it is important that all personnel working on or near the carriageway are readily visible to all drivers. To this end high visibility garments must be worn. These should comply with BS 6629. It is recommended that Class A with sleeves to Appendix G is used on motorways and other high speed roads."

To meet the equivalent safety standards, it is advised that garments should comply with clause 4.2.3 (b) of EN 471 (two 50mm bands and braces).

Highways Agency Manual of Contract Documents for Highway Works

Produced by the Highways Agency for all its contractors working on main or trunk roads in the UK, i.e. those roads owned and managed by the Highways Agency.

"All those working on or near the roads should wear high visibility warning clothing (Class 2 or 3) complying with BS EN 471 paragraph 4.2.3.(b). In addition on motorways or other high speed roads full length sleeved garments should also comply with paragraph 4.2.4".

"The retroreflective material used shall be Class 2".

"The colour of the clothing shall normally be fluorescent yellow or orange".

Special Offer

10 Sweatshirts + 10 Polo Shirts
inclusive of 1 colour print
£115 + VAT