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Posted By lewes
We have a problem with motor technicians in the yard area.
It is dangerous for them to wear high vis vests during their normal activities (
(entanglement) and impractical for them to put them on and off in when entering the yard.
I have looked into hi-viz overalls but am being told that unless they are yellow or orange they won't conform to EN471.
I understood it that EN471 was due to the amount of reflective material and not the colour of the material. The overals have got to be corporate colours (blue).
Any comments ??
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Posted By Alan Woodage
Lewes,
Am I missng something here? Why not just issue the technicians with burstable Hi-Viz so should it become entangled the velcro or stud fastenings give and do not draw the guys in.
Apologise if i'm missing the point.
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Posted By lewes
Thanks for your comment.
The main problem is that if they wear hi-vis vests and are working on anything with rotating parts (wheels, fans etc) you have risk of entanglement or if they get caught when climbing down from the rear of a lorry.
Also if they start as Yellow in colour they wont stay yellow very long !!!
Blue hi-viz overalls are available but there is some uncertainty if they conform to EN471.
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Posted By Ron Hunter
I disagree that a properly fastened hi-viz vest (sleeveless)presents any sort of entanglement hazard in the environment described.
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Posted By lewes
Ron, I note and appreciate your comments.
However we still have the matter of yellow hi-viz clothing in a environment liable to get very dirty. I dont know of many technicians/mechanics with brillant white overalls. And this is for a reason.
Hence why im back to the main point of discussion. Is EN471 dependent of additional material colouring or just the amount of reflective material.
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Posted By Dave McIness
Lewes
Yellow/Orange provide hi-visibility in daylight/illuminated areas, the reflective strips provide hi-visibility in poor light/darkness (but only then when light is reflected by it).
To answer your question NO blue is not acceptable for Hi-Vis applications and is not en471 compliant!
Why not obtain EN471 compliant orange hi-vis overalls with reflective strips and a washing machine!
Many dirty industries such as the railways and dock workers cope with the dirt, so I do not think this is a viable excuse.
Dave
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Posted By lewes
I am not trying to come up with any excuse.
Even Sunlight (http://www.sunlight.co.uk/) who we currently rent from will not guarantee the reflective properties of any hi-viz garment after 6 washes
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Posted By Dave McIness
A 25-wash cycle is normally standard, so if you wash it every fortnight (which for most overalls and mechanics I've ever met is pretty generous!) they should last for at least a year, and for about £25 a pair thats not an excessive cost.
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Posted By Salus
Hello lewes,
why do emplyees need to enter the yard?
if it is to fix vehicles then could not the vehicles be driven into an enclosed area for them to work on so there is very minimal chance of being hit by a vehicle? RA = no hi viz need to be worn in the enclosed area.
Maybe management / mechanics are giving you a hard time (coming up with any excuse not to wear PPE)and do not want the responsibility of enforcing safety arrangements by disciplining employees that will not accept change
write up a procedure that all can work to, communicate to all get them to sign to say they have received this instruction.
Remember PPE is last resort, if you can, put in one way systems, signage and segregate vehicles from pedestrians as much as you can, this is the first road (pun not intended)to go down.
sorry not much help though
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Posted By RP
Buy the ones with zips and get them to use it. You can have fluorescent pink if you want, but yellow or orange are the norm...
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Posted By lewes
Thanks for everyone's input.
I have looked at other methods prior to PPE (one way system, controlled access etc) but its a multi-occupied site and not everyone wants to play ball.
I have highlighted the need for it with Accident Stats, gory pics etc but trying to get them all on side is proving difficult plus the site has some layout restrictions which are not easy to change. We frequently have 40ft artic's on site so space is needed for these.
The engineers are all for a safer working environment but it may be back to the drawing board !!!!
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Posted By Dave McIness
Lewes
Why are you discounting Yellow or Orange hi-vis overalls?
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Posted By lewes
The truck manufacturer who we have 3 depots for has a corporate design that we must adhere to, plus im not 100% convinced that the guys would wear full orange overall due to peer pressure !!!
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Posted By Robert K Lewis
I think I will put my neck out and suggest that you look at the overalls widely used in the coal powered generation sector. These are generally navy blue, have significant retroflective stripes including round the legs and hi-vis yellow and/or orange on the back. These do get very dirty, for some reason!, but i always not that their visibility remains good.
The remainder of the controls really can concentrate on the management controls over the behaviours of drivers and pedestrians. You could incorporate flashing beacon on poles to be illuminated when fitters are present in the yards.
Bob
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Posted By Gordon Thelwell
Hello Lewes, it is good to hear that the men in question are 'up for it' as you put it. Here i believe is your answer. Ask them to come up with suggestions that will best suit them. Tabbards, arm bands, holsters and any other thing they suggest. Not only might you be surprised by their suggestions but you also have a higher probability of the control measure being used by them because they had input in finding the solution.
Forgive any presumption on my part, i just wished to offer my point of view and help if i can.
Good luck.
Gordon Thelwell
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Posted By Alan Nicholls
Hi all
Just a thought.
14 years ago I had to enter docks and warehouse facilities with a 40ft artic, you were not allowed out of your cab if you had no high vis on. So what has changed. Its still just as dangerous in a transport yard and dock. You still need eyes in the back of your head!
By the way.
I still have the same high vis in my car a little grubby but it still works. (Should really up grade to latest spec)
Its winter now going to be wet and cold high vis waterproofs for me. BRIGHT YELLOW
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Posted By Pierre de Carteret
Hi Lewes,
You're right both elements, reflective strips and base colour of garment, must meet a prescribed minimum to meet 471.
I sourced some 471 class 3 compliant overalls in yellow that were also 470-1 & 531. They last quite well in the short to medium term (8-14 months)that are exposed to petroleum products as long as the contractor gets to clean them regularly.
What cost is attached to them wearing Corporate Colours if they're struck by a moving vehicle and injured??
If you want the specification sheet from the manufacturer then drop me a line.
Regards,
Pierre
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