BSIF newsletter

During the winter months when shorter days mean reduced visibility the dependence on high visibility workwear to identify employees is increased hugely. High visibility clothing is a key part of the workforce PPE and millions of pounds is spent on it every year within the UK.

All PPE must be correctly tested and certified to meet the appropriate European standard, this includes all high visibility clothing. If it meets the standard, then it is effective for the job it was designed to do, and users of the garment are protected to the appropriate level that the product was designed for.

However, there has been a huge increase in Fake and substandard PPE and in particular high visibility garments being sold within the UK. This causes a massive problem because it is threatening the safety and in some cases the lives of people who think they have taken the necessary precautions to protect themselves with high visibility clothing only for them to actually not be properly protected.

A number of items are available that claim CE approvals but in reality, they have not been appropriately certified. Even worse, some items are in fact counterfeits of existing products. In our experience these products just do not perform as they should, putting lives at risk. There have been court cases brought against several high street retailers and fines handed out for the sale of substandard high visibility clothing. It is imperative that when you buy a high visibility item you should check that it is authentic and up to the standards required.

To provide the highest level of protection and comfort, there are a number of specifications to which your high visibility garments should adhere.