Tagged with 'safety vest'

Most of us know the drill. ANSI-rated garments meet a specific requirement that's been put in place to enhance visibility in hazardous, busy, and often chaotic work environments. But what about the work environments where ANSI Class safety gear actually lowers our visibility?
 
It may sound odd, but it's a totally valid question. Generally speaking, it's the bright colors and mandatory reflectivity of an ANSI Class garment that allows us to be seen. However, in some circumstances we must consider that these qualities are useless from a safety perspective and that Non-ASNI apparel - although considered "less safe" - could be more beneficial to the wearer. It might even save lives.
 
Imagine working in forestry during the prime months of fall when tree's leaves are changing colors and display vibrant hues of yellow and orange. Imagine working road repair on a heavily wooded and curvy 2-lane backroad during the same season. Imagine the lack of color contrast when a firefighter sporting yellow hi-vis gear battles wildfires among a blazing landscape of yellowish-orange flames. In all of these situations - especially during the daylight hours - the reflectivity of ANSI gear becomes somewhat irrelevant and the bright colors may actually work against their original intentions. What was meant to help you stand out from your surroundings is now doing the opposite. This is how Non-ANSI apparel could save your life.
 
By definition and specifications, all ANSI gear requires a specific surface area (usually measured in square inches) of bright colored fabric and a specific surface area of reflective material. Regardless of how much reflective material a garment has, if the material isn't bright yellow or orange, it doesn't meet ANSI standards. This is why you'll see black safety vests with ANSI Class 3 reflectivity levels that are labeled as Non-ANSI. The black material itself fails to meet ANSI requirements.
 
While "black-bottom" ANSI gear has exploded into the market in recent years, it still doesn't offer the level of contrast that a black safety gear might offer in these rare but very real environments mentioned above. So what is one to do?
 
If your job has an ANSI standard, it needs to be adhered to. However, if you're wearing your ANSI 3 vest to improve your visibility in an environment where ANSI 3 is not technically required, you might want to rethink your actions. There are a lot of us who wear garments that carry a higher ANSI rating than our job or task requires, and we do this to improve our own safety. However, we could be unintentionally increasing the risk of accidents or even death without even realizing it. Before you make the decision to throw on your ANSI-rated safety vest, ask yourself if it's the most beneficial protection for the tasks at hand. Could a black, red, or even blue non-ANSI vest improve your ability to be seen by motorists, co-workers or equipment operators? It's something we deserve to consider.
 
 

The Mossy Oak Infinity Break-up Safety Vest by ML Kishigo brings the brand's known high visibility technology together with style and functionality. Instead of the "same old" safety vest design, ML Kishigo has created a vest with a unique camouflage lower area that add a bit of personality while aiding to hide dirt in a high-contact area.
 
Check out the video below to see the features and benefits of this newly released safety vest.
 

 
The ANSI Class 2 compliant vest is equipped with helpful features such as an inside pocket that's perfectly sized for a tablet, and a microphone tab on the lest chest pocket to simplify the use of hands-free communication at work. Outer cargo pockets provide ample storage space on this vest, while a dual-tier pencil pocket is ideal for miscellaneous storage including a walkie-talkie, radio or a cell phone.
 
Mossy Oak Infiniti Break-up Safety Vests are made from ML Kishigo's signature Ultra-Cool Mesh to provide maximum air flow to the body, even during periods of extreme heat. 2-inch vented reflective striping enhances airflow and reflectivity while reflective edges offer additional safety for low light conditions.
 
The vest is available in orange or lime at HiVis Supply and can be purchased directly HERE.
 

For the month of August, HiVis Supply will be giving away an ANSI Class 2 Professional Surveyors Vest by ML Kishigo. This high quality safety vest has been specifically designed for high functionality, visibility and comfort.
 
The ML Kishigo Professional Surveyors vest has been manufactured with a solid polyester front while the back is made of Ultra-Cool mesh material to provide enhanced breathability on the job. For increased visibility that meets ANSI Class 2 standards, it has been fitted with 2-inch reflective striping by 3M which is laminated onto a 3-inch stripe of contrasted color which is either lime or orange, depending on the vest color.
 
This vest is ideal for surveyors and foremen but is just as well suited for any job that could benefit from its use. The unique features provide additional functionality and storage space compared to a conventional pocked safety vest, lending easy access to tools and other supplies that are commonly used on the job.
 
Features of the ML Kishigo Professional Surveyors Vest
 
-  Dual Microphone Holders (left and right) for hands free communication
-  Two Lapel Grommets
-  Reinforced webbing at stress points for added durability
-  Left Chest Pocket with 2 tiers (and dual function flap that can be held open with velcro)
-  Large Right Chest Pocket
-  Large Lower Pockets with Flaps
-  Left & Right Stake Pockets
-  Left & Right Side Elastic Spray Can pockets
-  Lower Inside Left & Right Full Length Zipper Pockets with Straps
-  Hidden Back Pouch with Zipper Access
-  and more..
 
As you can see above, the Professional Surveyors Vest offers unmatched functionality on practically any job site. This is something we've come to expect from ML Kishigo as an innovator in the safety industry. For more information and details, check out the vest on our website.
 
Don't forget that throughout August we will be accepting entries to win one of these vests, and a winner will be chosen on September 1st. We've even decided to throw in a JSP Full Brim Hard Hat (a $20 Value)! It's free to enter and it takes less than 20 seconds to fill out the very short form, so Enter to Win today!
 

1. Have your car serviced -  including getting all of the fluids changed, and windshield wipers checked. This also includes the battery that will take a beating.


2. Make sure you don't drive when you can't see - how many times have you pulled out because you're going to be late to work while squinting through an unclear windshield?


3. Make sure you have the proper accessories - A scraper for your windshield, rear window and side view mirrors for blind spots. And don't forget the jumper cables - long warm ups, use of headlights, and everything on can work to drain a battery.


4. Slow down - The faster you're going, the longer it takes to slow down, and this principle multiplies in severe weather. 


5. Keep a safe distance between you and the car in front of you - Make sure there are three seconds between you and the car ahead of you in good driving conditions, and further in bad.


6. Turn your lights on - Take all the precautions you can to see and be seen on the road, including running your lights in the daytime.