Now that the UK lockdowns are finally easing and the UK job market seems to be booming again, many people will be looking forward to getting back to work. For many professions, there are legal requirements on the types of clothing you have to wear. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has stringent regulations around high visibility clothing.
After the UK departure from the EU, there might be some changes to health and safety law, but which jobs still require hi-vis clothing in the UK?
Construction
Construction workers and anyone who works on or visits a construction site must wear high visibility clothing. This is in addition to other personal protective equipment (PPE) to keep staff safe on site. This includes safety goggles, ear plugs, and steel toe boots.
Emergency services
From the loud sirens to vivid, hi-vis PPE, emergency services personnel need to be seen and heard so they can save lives and protect the public. Sometimes they work in extreme conditions, including motorways and roads so it is paramount they are seen. Paramedics, firefighters and police officers all wear hi-vis on the job.
Air traffic control
Runway services operators make up a vital part of air traffic control at airports. Hi-vis clothing is worn when staff are guiding airplanes to the gate when they arrive or towards the runway when they are about to depart.
Highway maintenance
Working on busy motorways and A roads requires highway maintenance teams to be seen by vehicles passing at high speeds. Often, road maintenance workers will wear head-to-toe high visibility attire to ensure their safety on the job.
Event staff
When working at large scale events such as sports games, festivals and concerts, staff need to be instantly recognisable to both attendees and other staff. High-visibility clothing ensures that they can be seen from a distance with ease.
Landscape gardener
When working on large landscaping projects for public spaces and private gardens, landscape gardeners will often wear high-visibility clothing to ensure their safety. It also helps them to be seen amongst the lush, green landscapes they create.
Security personnel
Security personnel need to be instantly visible in most places they work. Wearing hi-vis clothing helps the people they are keeping safe to see where they are and know who is about to protect them. It also acts as a deterrent for any potential security issues to occur.
High-visibilty clothing and PPE is used in a wide range of jobs. No matter what job you do, wearing the right PPE is vital for your safety and those around you.
