MARKET FOCUS Ev e n H i g h e r V i s i b i l i t y Reflective/Fluorescent Emblems and Transfers Add an Extra Measure of Safety toHigh Visibility Uniforms By Randi Blumenthal-Joseph, Penn Emblem Co. V ision is one of the most vital senses humans use to stay safe, but it can be compromised in many working conditions. Dim light, glare, the darkness of night, fog, smoke and inclement weather are just a few of the factors that can obscure vision. For these reasons, workers in numerous fields benefit from high-visibility uniforms and high-vis/reflective emblematic identification. High-visibility clothing is considered a type of personal productive equipment (PPE). In many industries, it is mandated by federal law for worker safety. Federal Regulation 23 CFR 634 requires “All workers within the right-of-way of a federal-aid highway who are exposed to either traffic (vehicles using the highway for purposes of travel) or construction equipment within the work area shall wear high-visibility safety apparel.” The Federal Highway Administration states, “High visibility is one of the most prominent needs for workers who must perform tasks near moving vehicles or equipment. The need to be seen by those who drive or operate vehicles or equipment is 80 Made To Measure Magazine recognized as a critical issue for worker safety. The sooner a worker in or near the path of travel is seen, the more time the operator has to avoid an accident.” Research has shown the importance of reflectors such as reflective emblems and patches in pedestrian safety. A car going 60 mph needs 260 feet to stop. According to the FHWA, a person wearing dark clothing at night can only be seen at 55 feet. A person wearing white clothing in the dark is seen by a driver at 180 feet. Neither provides enough distance for a driver to stop before striking the pedestrian. Reflectors, however, increase visibility so that the pedestrian is seen from 500 feet away. The right reflective identification or apparel can ensure there’s ample time for a vehicle to stop. Motor vehicle-related incidents are consistently a leading cause of work-related fatalities. A significant portion of these are pedestrian workers being struck by a motor vehicle. According to the FHWA, nearly half of fatal pedestrian crashes occur in low-light or dark conditions. A study by the European