Wearing a hi-vis vest is not just about being visible to others. Putting it on in the workplace won’t keep you safe either. It won’t make you have superpowers or give you wings. People, it is not a magic vest!
Complacency is all too common and simply wearing your vest all the time will not prevent something crashing into you, or you falling off a ladder. Wearing a vest when you need to be noticed while doing a risky activity makes sense. You also may want to consider different high visibility colours for different activities or authority. While it is not actually law or mandatory to wear high visibility clothing at all times, it depends on the level of risk associated with the work. For example, if you are working around mobile plant high visibility clothing is highly recommended in comparison to working in an office.
In general, persons working in the construction industry will wear high visibility clothing at all times. This may also be denoted as mandatory PPE on the entrance to the site. If a vest poses a potential risk of entanglement, then a high visibility shirt may be appropriate instead of a vest.
Health and Safety is all about attitude. Too often the following attitudes exist:
- Let’s get the job done quickly
- We look like we know what we are doing
- Nothing is going to happen to me
Key Safe Behaviours are a small number of behaviours that will prevent most of our injuries. The culture of your organisation will determine how individuals approach their work and whether good habits exist.
Six key habits of safe behaviour (hi-vis vest optional)
1. Always focus on the task at hand. Be ‘in the zone’.
2. Use the equipment and environment as it is intended.
3. Be properly protected with the right PPE (i.e. hard hats, gloves, eye protection, hi-vis vest if required).
4. Be methodical and careful.
5. Ensure those around you are safe and are also executing safe behaviour.
6. Follow your company’s systems and processes.
In hindsight, an accident review can often be attributed to a safe behaviour not being practiced. And a Hi-Vis vest was not enough to save the situation from occurring.
Our colleagues at PeopleSafe have a humorous take on high visibility vests in one of their Workshop Wednesday videos. Watch it here.
For more information contact us on 0800 023 789 or email info@allaboutpeople.co.nz
Nikki Davidson, All About People Business Development – Online Marketing