The construction industry has more fatal work injuries than any other sector, making it one of the most dangerous in the United States.^[1] Specifically, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) found that 1 in 5 deaths among U.S. workers is in the construction industry.^[2] That’s an astonishing and tragic number. As a manufacturer of high visibility safety apparel (HVSA), it’s a statistic that drives us to design and produce better garments every day.

HVSA, or hi vis clothing, includes a wide range of very reflective workwear that’s especially designed to increase the visibility of the wearer so they’re safer in their work environment. This clothing can and should be worn in both day and low light conditions—it’s not just important at dusk or night. Wearing HVSA is one of the easiest ways to help workers stay safe.

The State of the Construction Industry

Working in construction can be a dangerous job. You’re operating heavy machinery, working by fast-moving traffic, or even working dozens of stories in the air. And if you look at the numbers, they tell a similar story:

In 2020, 10.2 of every 100,000 construction workers suffered a fatal injury, which was the third highest rate of any industry.^[3]

More than 130,000 construction workers missed days of work due to illness or injuries in 2020.^[4]

But here’s the twist:

In 2020, the industry sector experiencing the largest number of preventable fatal injuries was construction.^[5]

That’s right. Some of these deaths could be prevented. And that’s where we’re hoping to help. We know that high visibility apparel might not solve all the problems, but if we can ensure that workers are not only more visible, but more comfortable while they do their jobs, it can help.

How Hi Vis Clothing Can Help Prevent Accidents

Think about this: it’s dusk, the sun is starting to set and you’re working along a highway. The sun is at a perfect angle where it hits drivers right in the eyes. Cars are flying by as they rush to get home. The clothes on your back are first defense against struck-by accidents. They are what separates you from the work zone.

The fact is, roadway incidents involving motorized vehicles are by far the leading cause of fatal occupational injuries.^[6] Moreover, OSHA found that 1 in 4 "struck by vehicle" deaths involve construction workers, more than any other occupation.^[7]

So, when working alongside traffic—whether you’re flagging, operating heavy machinery, or paving the road—you want to do everything in your power to make sure that drivers see you. High vis workwear helps you accomplish that with its noticeable fluorescent colors and highly reflective tape.

To help workers determine which high visibility garments to wear, the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and International Safety Equipment Association (ISEA) created the gold standard for all HVSA—ANSI/ISEA 107-2020. These guidelines classify work environments into three different types, and each has its own HSVA class requirements. The different classes of clothing determine how much coverage is needed and how much retroreflective material is required to be used. Find out more about ANSI in a previous post here.

What Employers Can Do Proactively Prevent Accidents

Looking at these statistics can be daunting, but there are things employers can do to help prevent accidents at job sites.

Review and Update Safety Policies

If it’s been a while since a safety assessment has been conducted, it might be time to carry out another one. Pick a trained professional to examine the working environments, the tasks being carried out, and even how visitors are escorted throughout the job sites. After reviewing the safety assessment results, see if there are areas that need improvement. Make sure everyone is wearing the appropriate clothing, designate walkways, ensure equipment is properly maintained, etc.

Remind Employees About Safety as a Whole

New employees might think that putting on high-visibility clothing or following job site guidelines are just rules to keep them safe, but that’s not true. When you wear hi vis clothing, you’re keeping those around you safer too. Whether you’re on the side of the road, operating heavy machinery, or even working in a warehouse, you can help prevent accidents by ensuring that you can be seen.

Offer More Training

Did you know that 55% of workers believe they need more safety training, and 25% worry about being injured every day?^[8] Make sure your workers are feeling confident while working and give them the tools, training, and apparel they need to do their jobs well.

Different Jobs Can Require Different HVSA

Here’s one last thing to consider—different jobs, even if on the same work site, can require different high-visibility garments. On small jobs, people may play multiple roles and it can be difficult to remember that as a flagger, you need to wear a higher class of HSVA than if you’re operating a crane.

So, when changing from one environment or task to another, make sure you reassess what your clothing has been designed and approved for. The same mindset should be applied to HVSA in changes of weather or climates. In cold weather, take stock of your workwear and remember not wear anything that could block your high visibility apparel over it such as a hoodie or jacket. Instead, look for outerwear that meet your requirements. In hot weather, if your clothing is too heavy, look for garments made with high-visibility mesh that’s breathable.

A Way Forward

While accidents can and do happen, making sure that you’re visible while on the job can help minimize these incidents. Now that you’ve seen the statistics, you can see that’s it’s more important than ever to do anything possible to avoid adding to them. And an easy first step? Making sure that you and those around you wear high-visibility safety apparel at all times on the job site.

^[1] https://www.bls.gov/charts/census-of-fatal-occupational-injuries/number-and-rate-of-fatal-work-injuries-by-industry.htm

^[2] https://www.osha.gov/data/commonstats

^[3] https://www.bls.gov/charts/census-of-fatal-occupational-injuries/number-and-rate-of-fatal-work-injuries-by-industry.htm

^[4] https://www.bls.gov/cps/cpsaat47.htm

^[5] https://injuryfacts.nsc.org/work/work-overview/work-safety-introduction/

^[6] https://www.bls.gov/charts/census-of-fatal-occupational-injuries/fatal-occupational-injuries-by-event-drilldown.htm

^[7] https://www.osha.gov/etools/construction/struck-by

^[8] https://www.360training.com/blog/new-survey-reveals-rise-workplace-safety-concerns

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