Railway PPE Colours - in very simple terms [obviously it is a bit more complicated]

The colours of PPE on UK mainline railways [Network Rail] are clearly set out in Railway Group Standards, and are mandatory for all operatives working on or near running lines [track].

Orange is the standard for Network Rail site, as it doesn't run the risk of confusing train drivers, since the colour is not like the trackside signals that control train movements, basically;-

•  Red     = Stop,
• Yellow = Proceed with caution, and
• Green  = Go

Hard hats tend to be White, with some Blue ones for a few special cases.

PPE colours on non railways sites are more open to Contractor/Client choice, but are also usually covered in National and Industry Standards

Hope this helps

Alan

[Did have a job in a Depot, in the North West back in the late 1970's/early 1980's,where the Contractor said his staff would not wear Orange as most of them came from 'over the water' and it was a 'religious matter'.  As  the work was not on running lines [and it was in the days of a more pragmatic British Rail] we agreed they could wear Yellow - some wanted to wear Green PPE, but that was a step too far - Wouldn't be allowed these days, I think]