WHAT IS HIGH VISIBILITY CLOTHING?
Ensuring the safety of industrial, utility, electrical, and construction workers is a significant responsibility. It involves the use of proper personal protective equipment (PPE), including high visibility clothing when necessary. Also known as hi-vis clothing, this specialized gear is designed to enhance a worker’s visibility on the job site, playing a crucial role in maintaining workplace safety.
High visibility apparel is primarily used to make workers more noticeable to drivers and heavy equipment operators. This is especially important in hazardous environments—such as near roadways, in low-light or nighttime conditions, or in areas where workers may be obscured by trees, barriers, or machinery.
In the sections below, we’ll cover all the essential information about high visibility clothing—from key aspects of garment design and construction to ideal color choices and selection tips—to help ensure your team remains visible and protected.
What Is High Visibility Clothing?
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High visibility clothing, often referred to as hi-vis, comes in a variety of forms—not just vests. It also includes shirts, jackets, coveralls, pants, and even smaller gear like gloves. All of these items are designed to improve visibility and help keep workers safe on the job. Hi-vis clothing typically features two key components:
Fluorescent Colors: These bright, vivid colors are made using special pigments that convert invisible ultraviolet (UV) light from the sun into visible light. This effect makes the clothing appear even brighter in daylight, especially during low-light conditions such as early morning, late evening, or overcast weather. The high contrast provided by fluorescent colors also helps workers stand out against a variety of backgrounds—whether natural or urban.
Reflective Materials: These include strips, tape, or other accents that bounce light directly back to its source, such as vehicle headlights. While reflective materials are less effective in daylight, they are essential for visibility in dark or nighttime conditions.
Most high visibility gear combines both elements—for example, a fluorescent vest with reflective stripes—to ensure maximum visibility across a range of environments and lighting conditions.