Beyond the Vest

By Gary Pearson
Marketing Development Manager, 3M

One of the important influences shaping the safety apparel industry is the American National Standard for High-Visibility Safety Apparel. Recently updated, it is referenced as ANSI/ISEA 107-2004. This standard serves as a national U.S. guideline to reference in the design and use of high visibility safety apparel to help enhance worker visibility in daytime, low light, and nighttime conditions. It specifies the minimum requirements for component performance and garment design, such as a safety vest, with basic performance features. But, there is more to apparel than the basic safety vest.

Today, there is a wide of range of fluorescent fabrics, including knit polyesters with enhancements that help reduce fading after prolonged exposure to sunlight, accelerate evaporation of body moisture, and maintain minimum (as defined by the standard) color and performance after home and industrial washings. Garment manufacturers and brand specifiers can now offer safety and uniform managers a broad range of primary apparel choices including short- and long-sleeve shirts, insulated rainwear, jackets and parkas to provide workers the garments best suited for specific work environments and climate conditions.

The comfort of a worker should be a priority. According to results from the 2002 road construction market survey(1) for International Safety Equipment Association (ISEA), one of the most cited reasons for not wearing a compliant safety vest is lack of comfort and style.

Garments should be evaluated for weight, flexibility, breathability and fit sothat workers are provided freedom of movement as well as protection.

When choosing a reflective material, the same dimensions of comfort should be considered. The family of 3M Scotchlite Reflective Materials offers garment manufacturers and users a choice of components designed to meet these needs. Further, high-visibility outerwear incorporating Thinsulate Insulation can be specifically constructed to be warm, lightweight, comfortable and rugged.

Another factor to consider is garment appearance. Because 3M offers such a wide variety of reflective materials, safety and uniform managers can easily incorporate graphics, colors and logos that enhance both the look and functionality of a garment. 3M Scotchlite Reflective Material fabrics and films can be converted into webbing, trim, or graphic transfers, providing many options for creating highly visible designs, patterns, and accents. Scotchlite reflective material high-gloss products are also adaptable, as they can be sewn, welded, screen printed, embossed or used in piping to meet demands for both functionality and style.

Safety and uniform managers must take a number of factors into account when selecting high-visibility garments for workers exposed to the hazards of vehicle and equipment traffic. The team at 3M can support this selection process by providing information, research and garment design consultation.

By taking a broader view of performance, designers can create high- visibility garments that meet performance standards while satisfying the uniform managers need for garments that feature design functionality, durability and comfort.

(1) ISEA International Safety Equipment Association, Protection Update, Summer 2002