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Workplace safety is an absolutely essential element of any industry that must put workers in hazardous situations. While there’s no way to completely remove the hazards and dangers in some cases, reducing the likelihood of accidents should be a top priority for any company that operates in these industries. If you work in one of these industries, you might wonder who is responsible for safety in the workplace. We’ll go over the answer to make it clear to everyone. Where Does the Responsibility Lie? To find out who’s responsible for safety in the workplace here in the United States, we can turn to the organization that oversees the safety laws you’re likely familiar with, OSHA. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration makes it very clear that employers are responsible for providing a safe working environment for their employees. What this means varies based on the type of work. But as a blanket statement on employee safety, it falls on the shoulders of the employers. Employer Responsibilities for Safety What does it really mean that employers are responsible for providing a safe work environment? While there are many minute details that OSHA requires for different industries, here are some of the more important responsibilities that employers have to protect their workforce: Employers must examine workplace conditions regularly to confirm that they meet OSHA’s standards. They must provide adequate safety equipment based on the work. They must clearly communicate safety procedures and updates to every worker in a way that’s easy to understand. They must clearly identify and label potential hazards in the workplace so that any worker can identify them quickly. They must create and provide safety training programs for all employees before they can begin working. How You Can Improve Safety Conditions As much as it is very much your employer’s responsibility to create a safe workplace, that doesn’t mean the workers themselves can’t contribute to keeping everyone safe. Encouraging others to follow safety protocols and correcting instances where safety could become compromised are two of the biggest things you can do to improve your workplace’s safety. Although your employer always needs to be on top of enforcing safety precautions, you can help protect your fellow workers by following these precautions and ensuring others do the same. Making sure that you’re always wearing safe, high-visibility clothing is something you can do to protect yourself and others. You can keep yourself and your team safe while looking your best with hi-vis hooded sweatshirts and other safety gear from SafetyShirtz.

Personal protective equipment is a must for individuals working in hazardous fields. As such, it’s often difficult to ensure you have the best possible gear. There is a considerable debate over whether long-sleeve or short-sleeve garments are better for PPE – read on to learn why one has a slight edge over the other! Long-Sleeve Advantages There are several advantages to wearing long-sleeve personal protection equipment (PPE), making it more common in most industrial/construction working environments. First, the added material protects your arms against cuts, burns (chemical burns included), and heat exposure. For outdoor projects, long sleeves reduce sun exposure, allowing workers to stay out for more extended periods. This advantage is why you see roadside, railroad, and other outdoor construction employees in long-sleeve garments. Lastly, bright, or reflective material on the arms of the PPE gives workers added visibility, especially at night. Short-Sleeve Advantages While less common within a construction/industrial working environment, short-sleeve PPE has its advantages. Those working indoors with machines that produce heat find that the reduced arm protection causes less fatigue and sluggishness. Short sleeves also provide better movement and flexibility, which may be necessary when operating specific devices, vehicles, or machines. You can also easily combine sleeve-protective equipment such as pads with short-sleeve garments to compensate for the lack of arm protection – this is common in the welding industry. Final Verdict There’s no denying that both long-sleeve and short-sleeve PPE have value within hazardous working environments. However, the clear winner here is long-sleeve apparel. The additional arm coverage is essential for workers handling chemicals, fire, and sparking equipment. Additionally, sun protection is invaluable for outdoor employees, as sunburns are one of the most common reasons to call out of work. And while you might think that short sleeves are better for hot days, long sleeves keep the sun off the skin and keep you cooler. Lastly, increased visibility is necessary for many workers, making the added sleeve material an absolute must-have feature. When finding the best possible gear for you and others, it’s always best to weigh the pros and cons of different types of protective clothing. Long-sleeve PPE, in many respects, is better than short-sleeve garments – it’s more common and provides better protection. If you’re looking for quality, sleeved Hi-Vis gear, check out our safety hoodies here at SafetyShirtz.

Construction sites are full of potential hazards such as slips and trips, falling, exposure to respiratory hazards, excessive noise, electrical incidents, and handling bulky or sharp materials. While employers are obligated to do what they can to make the workplace safer, many of these hazards are simply part of the construction landscape. That’s why it’s crucial that workers wear personal protective equipment (PPE). Keep reading to learn more about the types of protection PPE provide in the construction industry and why it’s important. Head, Eye, and Face Protection Some PPE protects a construction worker’s head, eyes, and face. A hard hat protects your head from falling, low-hanging, and projectile objects. Face shields and safety glasses protect a worker’s eyes and face from debris and foreign objects from welding, grinding, cutting, nailing, and other processes. Hand Protection Construction workers handle materials manually and with machines every day. Wearing PPE gloves is important for your hands’ protection as you work with chemicals, sheet metal, glass, or other construction materials common in the industry. Work gloves act like a second skin that protect hands from absorbing harmful substances and suffering from punctures, burns, and cuts or lacerations. Foot Protection PPE footwear comes in many forms to protect a worker’s feet. As with all types of PPE, and in any industry, the type of shoes you wear depend on your work tasks and environment. Footwear with puncture-resistant material reduces the probability of sharp objects penetrating the bottom of the shoe and damaging the wearer’s feet. Slip-resistant soles increase the footwear’s grip on slick surfaces, helping to prevent workers from falling or slipping; and guards on the outside of the shoe protect the foot from getting crushed by heavy objects. General Body Protection The more skin you show on the construction site, the more likely you are to get cut, have something spill directly on you, or receive damage from sun exposure. PPE clothes such as coveralls, aprons, splash suits, jackets, vests, and full-body suits are made to protect the worker’s body while on a construction site. High-visibility personal protective equipment such as vests, shirts, and hoodies make the wearer more visible at night and in low-light conditions. Retro-reflective materials and fluorescent dye are two popular elements of hi-vis clothing. This workwear can help to prevent accidents, especially around moving vehicles or machinery. That said, your PPE doesn’t have to be the same boring style. Check out our custom hi-vis shirts and upgrade your PPE today.

Unique materials make high-visibility clothing different from regular apparel. Textiles and specialty dyes and materials create shirts, hoodies, and vests that glow and stand up to wear and tear. Learn about the common materials used in high-visibility apparel. Polyester Manufacturers often use polyester or a polyester blend to create high-vis clothes. The strong fibers don’t stretch or create tiny fuzzballs, called pilling, like other textiles often do. Polyester resists soaking up moisture, helping to keep workers dry around water and wick away sweat on hot days. Polyester’s resistance to strain and distortion makes it an excellent, durable material for industrial workspaces. Spandex Another common material used in high-visibility apparel is spandex, particularly blended with polyester. Spandex’s stretchiness can make polyester more comfortable while retaining its durability. Spandex is a lightweight material that returns to its original form even after repeated stretching and wear. Fluorescent Dyed Material The base textiles used to make high-vis apparel undergo special treatment. The characteristically bright, neon color of high-visibility clothes comes from fluorescent dye. Neon orange, yellow, green, and red fabrics contain dye that reacts to ultraviolet (UV) light rays to produce a glowing effect. This glowing light is most visible during rainy weather, at dusk, and at dawn, but the clothes don’t glow in the dark. Retroreflective Materials Manufacturers apply retroreflective materials to high-vis clothing to increase visibility at night and in very dark conditions. Micro-prismatic tape made from vinyl and glass bead reflective tape cover high-vis gear and bounce reflected light back to the light source. With a combination of fluorescent dyes and retroreflective materials, your gear makes you noticeable during the day and at night. For stylish enhanced visibility clothing, check out our selection here at SafetyShirtz. Our high-visibility apparel features fluorescent and retroreflective materials with added design features that highlight your style. Shop today!

High visibility clothing and personal protective equipment (PPE) ensure the protection of your wellbeing and the safety of others at a job site. However, certain forms of hi-vis gear work better in low-light conditions and vice versa. Read on to learn whether reflective clothing can work effectively in daylight. How Reflective Clothing Works Before we can know the best application of reflective clothing, it’s essential to understand how it functions. Reflective material contains many microscopic mirrors and a special layer of a reflective sheet and fabric that bounces light off the clothing. Patches of reflective fabric glow when direct light sources, such as headlights, shine on them, alerting others of your presence. Different patterns of reflective patching can add further information and identification to other workers, vehicles, and pedestrians. Some forms of hi-vis gear feature retro-reflective material, which doesn’t scatter light sources—instead, it bounces the light directly back to its source. Shortcomings of Reflective Clothing While reflective clothing is undoubtedly very bright, that’s only the case when the environment is dark and there is a bright light source hitting the gear. Otherwise, reflective material does little to illuminate your body. When UV light is present, the only glow reflective PPE can provide is a mere glimmer or shine. Due to this major shortcoming, reflective clothing does not work in daylight. Fluorescents’ Time To Shine While reflective clothing is a poor daytime form of personal protective gear, there is a form of PPE that’s perfect for sunny conditions—fluorescent garments. Fluorescent clothing contains specialized pigments that absorb light rather than reflect it, giving you a sharper contrast against the surrounding environment. In fact, many items with reflective material also feature fluorescent fabrics to make them more versatile. Ultimately, all forms of high visibility PPE keep you and others safe while working in hazardous environments. If you're in need of high-quality protective equipment for yourself or your employees, consider our selection of ANSI safety shirts and other hi-vis products sold here at SafetyShirtz.

Both reflective and fluorescent clothing is essential for any individual working in a hazardous environment where visibility is a concern. However, there is a major difference between the two forms of personal protective equipment that every professional working in these environments should know. Let’s explore what sets these garments apart from one another and how these differences affect your protection. Reflective Clothing Reflective clothing, as its name suggests, reflects sources of light off of the body, thus alerting others to your presence. Specialized fabric that contains microscopic mirrors is attached to the clothing item in particular patterns to add further identification to your role on the jobsite. Its most suitable application is at nighttime or when UV light is less present. Light sources such as headlights can activate the reflective material on your clothing and protect you from drivers. Fluorescent Clothing A common misconception concerning fluorescent clothing is that the fabric itself, usually yellow, orange, green, or red, is what makes it “glow.” However, this form of personal protective equipment produces that signature glow thanks to specialized, light-converting pigments implemented into the garment. These pigments absorb UV light and create a vibrant contrast against the surrounding environment. Unlike reflective gear, fluorescent clothing cannot bounce sources of light off of your body. As such, it’s best to use these items during the day when UV light is the most present. Wearing Both While reflective clothing and fluorescent clothing are different in both construction and materials, they both serve the same purpose—keeping you visible and protected from others. Because of this, most individuals choose to reap the benefits of both items by combining them when wearing personal protective equipment. The fluorescent clothing is perfect for keeping you visible in natural light, while reflective material helps illuminate you when inside of structures or while working at night. Together, they ensure total protection, no matter the conditions. Understanding the difference between reflective and fluorescent clothing can help maintain the well-being of yourself and others while working in hazardous environments. If you’re looking for sharp and effective Hi-Vis gear for your business, consider our quality collection here at SafetyShirtz.

Countless professions demand clothing that boosts an individual’s visibility. These items protect employees from traffic and other hazards, and they also increase communication and productivity. However, there are a lot of different classifications and kinds of hi-vis garments and accessories, which means purchasing the right gear can quickly become overwhelming. The easiest way to ensure that you buy the correct equipment is to understand the nature and requirements of your specific industry. This blog will go over these factors and offer further tips for making a smart purchase. Here are a few things to consider when you’re choosing hi-vis apparel for yourself and your business. Why Hi-Vis Apparel Is Important High-visibility garments are utilized in a plethora of industrial fields to protect employees and increase productivity and communication. Hi-vis items ensure that passersby and other workers are aware of your presence. This is valuable for situations such as roadside construction, railroad work, and nighttime projects. These clothing articles are essential for any environment with low visibility and high amounts of hazards. Hi-vis clothing is also key in boosting project productivity and communication. Work site managers and forepersons can lead more effectively if they can see where all their employees are. Additionally, these clothing items can indicate which direction an individual is facing, even from a far distance. As you can see, specific industries heavily rely on hi-vis clothing as a valuable form of personal protective equipment. Job Requirements For some occupations, wearing hi-vis clothing is a legal requirement. Thanks to the Federal Highway Worker Visibility Rule and government agencies such as OSHA (the Occupational Safety and Health Administration), individuals working adjacent to traffic or in settings with heavy machinery must always wear these garments. Railroad construction is another field that demands reflective clothing. Here are some of the other professions that typically require hi-vis items: General construction workers Road surveyors Tow truck drivers Crossing guards Airport runway workers Tollbooth attendants Emergency responders Firemen Event security Shopping cart retrievers Garbage collectors The commonality between all of these jobs is clear: traffic or heavy machinery is present, so staying visible to other people is essential. The requirements may vary, but hi-vis shirts, jackets, pants, and accessories (such as helmets and gloves) are standard among these employees. Even if the law doesn’t require your industry to supply workers with hi-vis equipment, many businesses encourage or require individuals to wear it as an added safety measure. Determine whether your industry requires or encourages hi-vis clothing before picking out items for yourself and others. Types of Hi-Vis Gear Before you make your purchase, consider the three types of hi-vis gear set by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI): Type O (off-road) Type R (roadway) Type P (public safety) Off-road workers typically operate near roadways, but they’re often in less danger of being struck by vehicles. However, they must still stay visible at all times. Type R garments are for individuals working on roadways, as these workers are the most likely to be hit by traffic. But roadway employees aren’t exclusively in construction—tollbooth attendants, crossing guards, airport ground workers, and others all must wear Type R hi-vis clothing. Lastly, public safety individuals such as law enforcement, firefighters, and first responders should always don Type P hi-vis garments. Classes of Hi-Vis Gear There are also four classes of visibility gear that the American National Standards Institute sets: Class 1 Class 2 Class 3 Class E Each class refers to the amount of reflective material and the level of reflection in an article of hi-vis gear. Class 1 represents the lowest amount, Class 3 represents the highest, and Class E consists of complementary items such as pants and overalls. You can combine Class 2 gear with Class E items to create a Class 3 outfit. Typically, employees who work in consistent environments during the day need only Class 1 or Class 2 gear—but if some workers require Class 2 gear, then everyone on the job site must also wear Class 2 gear. Class 3 items are reserved for people operating at night or for individuals who encounter many different working conditions, such as rain, fog, or snow. These occupations may include delivery drivers or roadway workers. Weather Considerations Understanding the types and classes of hi-vis apparel is one thing—factoring in weather conditions is a whole other ball game. Weather is unpredictable, so ensuring that you and your workers are protected from all different situations is important. If you operate in an area that consistently experiences cold or wet weather conditions, you must supply insulated or moisture-wicking garments. This is important because throwing a sweater over a reflective shirt or vest limits visibility. Plus, workers who are comfortable tend to work more efficiently. Protecting the well-being of yourself and others is ethically important, but making sure your workers are consistently safe and comfortable is also essential to your business. Add Pizzazz 3M reflective material, the item that causes hi-vis apparel to “glow,” is also commonly used in the streetwear fashion scene. Top brands such as Nike, Jordan, ICNY, and Off-White create garments that reflect light, adding extra flair to an outfit or clothing line. So why bring this up here? Well, just because your industry requires practical hi-vis doesn’t mean you can’t consider purchasing trendy items or customizing your gear! Creating custom hi-vis uniforms is a great way to give your business a more professional look. It can also distinguish contractors from employees and even indicate different occupations or positions. Stylish hi-vis workwear shows prospective clients that your company takes its responsibilities seriously, which can subconsciously make your services more desirable to them. These factors to consider when you’re choosing hi-vis apparel mostly relate to safety and function. However, you should of course determine the sizes, fits, and quantity you need before purchasing any gear. If you need further help and resources for finding the right products for yourself and your business, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our friendly team here at SafetyShirtz. We have the inventory and experience to ensure you and others are properly protected from hazards—all while looking and feeling great.

Personal protective equipment continues to evolve in an effort to make a historically dangerous industry far safer for the working individual. However, there are many common myths and misconceptions about PPE that put hundreds of professionals in danger each and every day. Let’s debunk some of the most popular personal protective equipment lies you might have heard. Quick Job? No PPE The most common misconception concerning personal protective equipment is that, for quick or small tasks, you don’t require PPE. Simple projects like cutting, cleaning, or supervising seem harmless, and since they’re speedy, the chances of suffering an injury are very low. Right? Wrong! Accidents almost always occur in the blink of an eye, making PPE essential for any and all job site-related activities no matter the amount of labor required. However, many individuals working within this industry prefer to save the time it takes to change into proper personal protective equipment and attend to minor jobs without it. They feel that the inconvenience of locating and wearing each item of PPE consumes valuable minutes of the day, and it does take time. But this extra labor significantly decreases the chances of injuries, and ultimately, injuries waste the most time. Plus, the well-being of yourself and everyone around you should be the number one priority. All these factors considered, it’s always best to ensure you have all your protective equipment on before, during, and after conducting any task or job. All PPE Is Reusable Suppose you work primarily in roadside construction or related industry jobs. Chances are most of your personal protective gear will last you many years to come, provided you wash, clean, and store it properly (more on that later). However, certain items are only good for one use and require replacement often. These items include respiratory protective equipment (RPE) such as respirator masks and respirator filters, as well as gloves, contamination suits, inserted-ear protection, and caps and hair nets. Respiratory protective equipment, for example, becomes less effective at filtering or blocking toxins, bacteria, viruses, and other contaminants after even one use. Attempting to wash a mask or respirator filter will wear them even faster. There are even other pieces of replaceable equipment that have a strict expiration date. As such, it’s important to recognize that all of your PPE requires regular and careful inspections to ensure every item will function properly. If you’re unsure of any PPE item’s lifespan before entering a hazardous environment, check with the manufacturer. They can provide specific requirements that guarantee maximum protection. Washing Myths & Misconceptions Concerning wearable PPE, such as vests, shirts, fabric gloves, and pants, many individuals clean them as if they were any other garment in their wardrobe. While it is essential that you wash your personal protective equipment often, these items do require specific methods to ensure functionality and durability. Let’s focus on high-visibility clothing like vests and shirts, especially those with fluorescent and/or reflective materials and fabrics. You should always separate these items from other clothing before throwing them in the wash. Secondly, we recommend using a cold wash and gentle cleaning agents. This ensures that nothing is damaged during the washing process. Lastly, either hang dry or use a low-heat tumble to finish the process. Following these steps ensures that your most important personal protective equipment items stay fresh and functional. Storing Myths & Misconceptions After properly cleaning your personal protective equipment, it’s time to store it for the time off from work. Many people simply fold up their clothing and store it with the rest of their wardrobe since, well, it’s just like any other garment. Except PPE is most definitely not like the other clothing your own. Due to their specific design elements and overall importance regarding your well-being while on the job, you should store your personal protective equipment more delicately and thoughtfully. Consolidate your arsenal of PPE to one specific cabinet or area in the closet. This ensures that no unrelated wardrobe item is potentially damaging your clothing and reduces the likelihood of losing or misplacing essential gear. Hang your shirts, vest, and pants, if possible. Keep clothing items and accessories (gloves, helmets, boots) in dry, dark, and cool environments to prevent mold, damage, and discoloration. Much like cleaning, properly adhering to these storage rules increases the effectiveness and longevity of your personal protective equipment. PPE is Only Required for Workers Directly Involved With Hazardous Tasks If you’re an individual who works each and every day on the job site, you know that PPE is mandatory at all times. If you’re an office body that merely visits hazardous working environments from time to time, you might be tempted to ditch each and every piece of required personal protective gear. In reality, any time you step foot in a dangerous, active construction zone, you must wear any and all required PPE. This includes hardhats, vests, steel-toed boots, and potentially masks, eye protection, and ear protection, even if you’re standing away from the action. More PPE Items, More Protection Wearing personal protective equipment can feel like donning a suit of armor. However, having more protective gear on your body doesn’t guarantee more protection. Each garment and accessory serves a specific role. A Hi-Vis sweatshirt alerts others of your presence. Meanwhile, helmets prevent head injuries, and masks protect your lungs. Just because you wear all of these items doesn’t mean you’re less likely to suffer an accident or injury. In fact, wearing more PPE than is required of you can actually increase the chances of encountering dangerous situations. PPE is the Only Form of Protection Keeping Me Safe While modern innovations to personal protective equipment have led to a far safer industry overall, there are many other aspects at play in your working environment that keep you and others safe. Specifically, education and training, especially for hazardous situations, ensure the well-being of everyone more than wearing protective gear. PPE is merely the last line of defense when it comes to preventing injuries. Instead, understanding how to avoid and recognize these workplace dangers can prevent accidents from occurring in the first place. These seven myths and misconceptions about PPE are common for a reason. Many people make these mistakes! By understanding the dangers present in your everyday working environment, you can come prepared to wear all the proper personal protective equipment and ensure safety for yourself and others. 

Are you looking for visibility-boosting PPE for your industrial job or outdoor hobbies? Do you need garments that protect you from the elements? If so, you’re posed with two choices – high visibility hoodies or jackets. But which should you choose? Read on to learn about the best applications and situations for these types of clothing. Warmth and Comfort Jackets are useful for keeping an individual warm while out in colder weather, but hoodies are exponentially superior at insulating body heat. Often made with cotton/polyester blends, hoodies are also very comfortable against the skin. If you’re in the market for hunting hi-vis gear, you’re less likely to be uncomfortable in the elements while wearing a hoodie. So, if your job or activity requires you to work out in the cold, opt for a hooded sweatshirt. Moisture Prevention One advantage of high visibility jackets over hoodies is their ability to repel moisture. Cold weather is dangerous enough, but snow and rainfall can also make you ill, so it’s essential to use the best protection. Unlike most hoodies, hi-vis work and hunting jackets are typically made with a synthetic material specifically designed for these weather conditions. We recommend using a high visibility jacket if you work outdoors throughout the winter or during a rain storm. Professionalism While hoodies provide excellent insulation and are comfortable, they’re often seen as less professional-looking than jackets. Jackets are more suitable as a uniform and look great when every employee wears them while working. The collar and traditional fit of a jacket make it more official and put together. If your business strives to present as uber-professional, high-visibility jackets are the better option for you. A hoodie is perfectly suitable for your endeavors if you are simply a hunter or outdoors person. When choosing between high visibility hoodies and jackets, the decision ultimately relies on your specific needs. If you only require something casual that can adequately keep you warm, opt for reflective safety hoodies. If you need protection from rain or snow and want to give your business a professional, uniform look, we recommend a jacket. Either way, we at SafetyShirtz have the right reflective gear for you. Browse our selection today.