Hi Dave, There are minimum requirements for the amount of light the garment reflects to make it more visible. Class 1 to 3. Class 3 offers the highest level of 'visibility' through its design. Have a look here for further information. http://www.hse.gov.uk/wo.../factsheets/clothing.htm Cheers DHM

If you are worried whether hand signals will be seen look at the colour of the gloves the operative are issued. Bright orange? Ian

Just want to add my experience in case its of use: When I was a young and fit operational fire-fighter (several stones ago!), I would do the odd agency driving job so occasionally found myself driving refuse collection trucks on my days off. None of the organisations I worked for (about 8 in total) bothered with Hi Viz back then in the 1990. I know many of you would find that unthinkable now, but there was one important advantage My day consisted of regularly determining if any operatives were still at the back of the truck before moving off. The fact they wore different personal clothing helped me 'count them all in and count them all back'. I would give them all nicknames and would note the guy with the green top is still behind, although the MUFC fan has now moved away. There is a lot of reversing involved - and I mean a lot. Sometimes in poor light due to the early start and in inclement weather with the mirrors wet with rain. Often whilst reversing down alleyways, the guys would move behind to throw something in the back as the truck was still moving. Therefore determining who was where was critical Hi Viz is a definite requirement, but I have always thought that if each member of the team were issued with different colour Hi Viz wear, or perhaps with Hi Viz with distinctive patterns, numbers or shapes marked on them, this would individualise the crew & reduce the risk by making them more identfiable. I have never seen this though. Perhaps as most people who would do these RAs haven't sat where I have??