Hi

After a few security issues at our warehouse we have decided to colour code the different personnel that work in the warehouse.  For example warehouse operatives, agency staff, contractors, office staff.

We have chosen hi visibility vests that have two colours, ie: lime green/red, lime green/royal blue etc so each person can be colour coded but still have the hi visibility colour incuded.  However after
reading the HSE guidance where it states " in practice the best colours for this purpose are likely to be day-glo or flourescent yellow........

My main concern is that because only part of the vest is the day glo colour, ie the top part as the rest is blue or red, is this enough day glo colour?

I know with EN171 there are strict regulations for working on railways/roads/traffic but this is mainly
for warehouse staff inside a warehouse with moving Fork Lift Trucks.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks

Clare

Thank you for your reply, orange and yellow would be fine, but we want to differentiate between four groups of people, so I need three other colours.

Regards

Clare

I would tend to agree with Chris42 use a yellow HVis and print on the back in a different colour what department they are in, cheaper and saves a few £££

Leave the Hi-Vis as supplied and give everyone different themed "deeley-boppers" or coloured caps - if you really need to respond to a security issue by messing with PPE

Clare,

Can I ask what the security issue was , and how coloured jackets per job role will help?

Sorry my bad, grim72 is correct, should have put class 1, read 1 and typed 3, but general principle I made stands. Also, the advantage is if the high vis has the company name on it any interloper will not be able to get their hands on so easily, but you will need strict control if also for security (which you would need anyway).

From my own notes when researching PPE in general.

CLASS 1 - For use by workers who are well separated from traffic and working in areas where vehicle and/or equipment speeds do not exceed 25 mph. Workers who can benefit from this class of garments include those directing parking operations, retrieving shopping carts from parking areas, maintaining sidewalks, making deliveries from vehicles, and working in warehouses where motorized equipment is present.

As sleeveless vests are enough to satisfy Class 1, you could have vests made with sleeves coloured whichever way you wanted, and the rest exactly like a sleeveless high-vis vest, including retroreflective strips.

The above would give you a garment that you could be satisfied would meet the standard, particularly if a supplier could take off-the-shelf vests and machine your chosen sleeve colours on.

No idea if that's cost-effective or not though... And also I'm no fashion genius but just an idea!

Hi

There are three colours that meet the 471 standard day glo yellow, orange and red. Your supplier should let you know whether or not they comply and to what level (day glo and reflective strip).

You need to make sure your traffic/pedestrians risk assessment identifies the level of hi-vis required. I suggest you get three type -class1, 2 and 3 - and put them on Colleagues in the DC in the poorest lit areas and see which are clearly visible and then make this your standard. 

The you will know which hi-vis vests will be acceptable. If you can go with the lowest complying standard you can have half in day-glo and half in a non-dayglo colour. This gives you loads of options. If you need a higher standard you can have a day glo waist coat with a non day glo yoke. 

PM me if you want a link to a manufacturer who would be able to supply your PPE provider.

Ian