Posted By Howard With the recent hot spell, I have been asked to look at the viability of providing Hi Viz Polo/ T shirts to all our site operatives (Approx 40) as they feel the vests are too hot when worn over normal clothing. I’m not sure it would make a difference, but said I would check it out, so has anyone successfully gone down this route in the past? I’m particularly interested in the individual cost price per unit, which is quite important as we would have to issue at least 3 per man & what is the life of the hi viz on the shirts with the washing that would be required. Thanks Howard

Posted By David Bramall Howard The choice of hi-viz very much depends on the work, or more importantly on the location of the work. I am not sure what type of work you refer to or where the work takes place. As a pointer for now, assume work on a high speed road (dual carriageway / motorway etc.)like the guys who set up the temporary traffic management schemes for roadworks. In this case a polo shirt or T shirt is no use, they need to gain maximum visibility for obvious reasons, i.e. full Class 3 gear with sleeves and not mandatory but high viz trousers. On the other hand someone working in a public park etc. low speed traffic (lawnmowers, maybe a tractor driving about slowly gathering rubbish ...), or at the back of a wide verge, polo / T shirt is fine. As you may notice my role is in construction and a big part of it in roadworker safety. In much of our work, Chapter 8 of the Traffic Signs Manual and the ACoP "Safety at Stretworks and Roadworks" applies. Check out any relevant documents for your own work activities and decide what is required. Regards DrB

Posted By Geoff Norman Howard We have used HV t-shirts and polo shirts in the maintenance side of the railways for a number of years now and they have been very successful, especially during this hotter weather. This is probably a similar environment to what you have to work in. We issued all our maintenance staff locally with 3 t-shirts or polo shirts and obviously the more you purchase the less they are per unit. Maybe speak to a supplier to do a trial with the proviso that you will buy X amount if satisfactory, with a large discount! Or just bite the bullet and get them in before the hot weather goes, as it might take a while for your trial and for them to supply enough when you need them. Geoff

Posted By Stephen A Just a thought, Would cleaning come under Maintenance (Reg 7 PPE)?, could it be argued that in supplying Hi Viz Polo Tops that the cleaning costs should be picked up by the company?

Posted By Linda Crossland-Clarke Hi The shop downstairs to me retails them for about £4 a top. I told them to give you a shout with bulk prices. I hope that was ok. regards Linda