The importance of workwear in construction

Protecting employees whilst on the job is crucial for maintaining worker health & safety; in some industries, workwear can make all the difference. It’s an employer’s legal responsibility to provide appropriate equipment to each employee! There are many different types of workwear suitable for various industries; making sure your employees have access to the correct workwear can be a challenge. Shoes with good grip are vital for hospitality workers- construction workers should wear high-visibility clothing and hard hats. In this post, we will discuss two pieces of workwear that are some of the most important for construction workers; hi-visibility clothing and ear protection.

Do Employers Legally Need to Provide Protective Workwear?

It is not a legal requirement for employers to provide employee uniforms, but the law states PPE must be provided and paid for. PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) includes both high-visibility clothing and ear protection! PPE protects employers from hazards and extreme working conditions.

Why Hi-Vis Is So Important In Construction Work

Hi-Vis Clothing Makes Overnight Working Safe

Thanks to being made with unique pigments, hi-vis clothing is brighter than any other typical colour. The pigments within the material reflect ultraviolet light from the sun (and artificial light sources) and then shines brightly even in darkness. Thanks to this design, hi-visibility clothing can even be seen in the night darkness. In construction work environments, the clothing is a strong contrast against backgrounds, making workers stand out.Hi-Vis Clothing Can Prevent Road Accidents

There’s a good reason why road workers wear high-visibility clothing; because it alerts road users of where workers are located. Construction workers often work on or near busy roads or with bulky construction equipment such as forklift trucks. Reflective clothing returns light from headlights, meaning road/equipment users can spot workers easily. Road traffic accidents are much less likely when workers are wearing hi-vis clothing.

Hi-Vis Clothing Is Easy to Wear And Change

One of the primary functions of high-visibility clothing is that it offers high visibility during daylight hours and in darkness. This means it allows for work in any setting! During summer, winter, daytime, even nighttime. This is a massive benefit for construction workers, as the work needs completing year-round, and we can not control the seasons!

Wondering what the best high-visibility colours are for your workers? Choose a colour that contrasts your workers’ environment. Have a lot of orange equipment at your site? Choose lime green hi-vis clothing. This ensures your workers will stand out and remain safe!