Spirited Safety: The Top Hi Vis Clothing for Alcohol Manufacturing and Distribution

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A whole lot of work goes into getting those tasty beers, fine wines and well-crafted spirits into our hands. It’s all thanks to the farmers who raise and harvest the raw materials, to the manufacturers who obsess over their craft and to the distributors who get it to the store or restaurant. Everyone’s got a role to play, especially in an era of supply chain challenges for beverage manufacturers. The hard-working people in the spirits industry also often need protective high visibility clothing, such as safety vests, to keep them seen and safe. Here, we’re going to look at some of the most popular safety work clothes for alcohol manufacturing and distribution that HiVis Supply offers, and how to pick the right hi vis clothing for workers in the spirits industry.

What Do You Need from Your Hi Vis Clothing?

Different roles in beverage supply chains have different requirements from their hi vis workwear. Let’s take a quick look at how safety needs are different in the various sectors of the industry: 

1. Agriculture

• These workers carefully nurture and harvest plants like hops, grapes, grains and many others. They can face hazards on the job like farm machinery, hot or cold temperatures and hand hazards from insects, tools or thorns.
• Priorities: High visibility, temperature protection, waterproofing, hand protection and moisture wicking.

2. Manufacturing

• Using methods old and new, manufacturing workers put everything they have into crafting and bottling amazing beverages. Hazards at this level include moving vehicles like forklifts, as well as potential caught-in hazards from machinery like bottling and canning lines. Color coded workwear is also useful here to help identify workers by their job functions.
• Priorities: High visibility, hand protection, breakaway vests and role identification.

3. Warehousing/Distribution

• Finally, warehousing and distribution workers handle the logistics of storing product until it’s ready to be shipped and bringing it to restaurants, bars and stores. Safety concerns include struck-by accidents (from forklifts, fleet vehicles or vehicles on the road), hot and cold temperatures and wet weather.
• Priorities: High visibility, temperature protection and waterproofing.

Naturally, every workplace is different, and yours might have its own requirements. Remember to know the relevant standards like the ANSI 107 high visibility standard, and be aware of whether visibility enhanced apparel is acceptable in place of ANSI compliant gear in your workplace.

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10 Awesome Hi Vis Clothing Options for Alcohol Manufacturing and Distribution

1. Kishigo B120 Series Economy Enhanced Visibility Mesh Identification Vest

Boost visibility and make everyone easier to tell apart with these feather-light enhanced visibility vests, available in a whole rainbow of colors.

2. Kishigo B100 Safety Vest

You’ll love the bang for your buck in these brightly colored enhanced visibility vests, with their numerous pockets and tough but breathable polyester mesh material.

3. Kishigo B200/B204 Enhanced Visibility Series Class 1 Contrast T-Shirt

These ANSI Class 1 t-shirts have a moisture-wicking design to keep workers comfy all day, and their high contrast design gives them superior visibility in different light conditions.

4. GSS Safety 3100 Series Enhanced Visibility Identification Safety Vest

Make worker identification easy and cost-effective with these economical non-ANSI enhanced visibility vests. 

5. GSS Safety 5123/5124 Enhanced Visibility Short Sleeve Black Bottom Safety T-Shirt

Perfectly suited for hot weather work, these enhanced visibility, moisture wicking t-shirts keep workers cool with their microfiber design. 

6. GSS Safety 5023/5024 Enhanced Visibility Black Bottom Short Sleeve Polo

This classic polo does it all, and does it well: It comes equipped with SPF 50 sun protection, plus a breathable design that boosts worker visibility. 

7. Radians ST11B-2 ANSI Class 2 Short Sleeve Black Bottom T-Shirt

When workers need ANSI-compliant visibility, this ANSI Class 2 short sleeve t-shirt is a go-to choice, especially since it includes a black bottom that keeps it looking clean for longer.

8. Radians ST31-2 Arctic Radwear Class 2 Hi Vis Segmented Short Sleeve Cooling Safety T-Shirt

If cool, dry, safe and seen is the goal, this advanced moisture-wicking t-shirt that also gives workers ANSI Class 2 visibility is the perfect choice. 

9. Enhanced Visibility Lightweight Snag-Proof Black Bottom Safety Polo

Another great safety polo that’s designed for long work days, thanks to its anti-microbial coating that fights odors and its built-in moisture-wicking technology.

10. Red Kap SY80 Ripstop Class 1 Short Sleeve Work Shirt

Let’s wrap up with one of our favorite hi vis safety shirts, with a sharp-looking high contrast design and ANSI Class 1 compliance that will keep beverage workers visible wherever they go.

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Workers and managers in the wine industry should also be sure to see our guide to vineyard and winemaking safety gear. Finally, don’t forget that you can customize most of our hi vis clothing with your logo — see our guide to custom hi vis clothing for more.