We all love a man in uniform. Does hi-vis make the cut?
High-visibility clothing (often called hi-vis) is an essential piece of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) that almost all high-risk workers in Australia should be familiar with.
But, do you know how hi-vis came to be?
This may be a surprise to you, but those fluorescent tennis ball-like vests you wear to work are more than just a fashion statement. They have a purpose. They save lives.
Whether you work on a construction site, in a warehouse, on the production line, or are directing traffic, you are usually required to wear yellow or orange clothing to keep you safe while performing your role.
By why? Let’s look at how it all started!
The Invention of High-Visibility clothing.
It was the year 1933 when an American labourer named Bob Switzer, was injured while working in a warehouse. A workplace accident resulted in a head injury that greatly damaged his eyesight. In response, he and his brother Joe, a chemist who worked at the family-owned pharmacy, started experimenting with fluorescent paint in the name of workplace safety. While experimenting, The Switzer Brothers dipped silk fabric into a combination of fluorescent dye and alcohol, leading to the discovery of daylight fluorescents. Consequently, high-visibility (dayglo) clothing was born!
After DayGlo became an elusive fashion trend in the 1950’s, the bright, glowing material was eventually adopted by high-risk workers who worked in unsafe conditions and wanted to reduce the likelihood of workplace incidents and accidents.
In the 1960s, British railway workers began wearing bright orange jackets while performing maintenance works on the tracks. Although this fashion choice was not entirely embraced by men at the time, due to social standards, this fluorescent orange clothing quickly became the standard for railway crews, and soon, other industries followed.
Wearing Hi-Vis Could Save Your Life!
Australia has strict safety laws to protect workers, and hi-vis clothing is a big part of that. High Visibility Safety Garments are designed to ensure that workers are easily visible to others while working on-site or in the field.
The Australian government requires high-risk workers to wear bright, reflective clothing so they can be seen, even in low light or poor weather conditions. There are specific safety rules and regulations depending on the type of work, location, and time of day.
Hi-vis clothing is primarily worn by workers in industries like construction, roadwork, mining, manufacturing, transport and logistics, and warehousing.
Image: Class D daytime high-visibility spectrum.
According to Safe Work Australia, the occupations with the highest number of workplace fatalities include Machine Operators and Drivers, Labourers, Technicians, and Trade workers. Although workplace deaths have decreased more than 19% since 2013, any death is one too many! Wearing hi-vis is one of the easiest ways to protect yourself while at work.
Workplace injuries don’t just affect workers and their families. They can cost businesses a lot of money and time.
Reporting by Safe Work Australia predicts that the prevention of workplace injuries could save the Australian economy $28.6 billion a year and create an additional 185,500 jobs.
For employers, investing in safety (like providing workers with hi-vis clothing) means less workplace accidents, fewer workers off sick, and a better workplace culture.
Hi-Vis can be trendy and fun too!
Fluorescent clothing isn’t only found on a work site. Hi-vis materials have also been used by brands, celebrities, and trendsetters all around the world!
In the 1950s, popular laundry detergent brand Tide used fluorescent pigments in their packaging designs to catch the eye of shoppers. Even today, Tide continues to embrace the hi-vis yellow and orange in their branding!
Remember this:
In Australia, many jobs require the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and wearing hi-vis clothing is one of the easiest ways to keep yourself protected while on the job.
So, next time you put on your hi-vis vest, remember this: it’s not just a uniform. It could save your life.
Hi-vis clothing has been around for almost 100 years and continues to save lives.
Steps Forward:
Whether you’re seeking a role in construction, mining, or manufacturing, a recruitment consultant can make all the difference in helping you find your next position while reducing the strain of the job search process.
If you are on the hunt for your next role, we encourage you to explore our job listings or call 1300 178 233 to find out more. Staff Australia is always looking to provide work to job seekers all across Australia.
