High Visibility (Hi Vis) clothing. Most farmers or farm workers will have a Hi Vis vest or beanie hanging on a peg somewhere. We’re used to seeing it, but ironically, it’s a key safety tool that’s often ‘overlooked’.
But Hi Vis has a vital role to play in keeping us, and those around us, safe; especially as the nights draw in.
And rather than gathering dust on a peg, it should be an integral part of your farming uniform.
It’s a “no brainer” – cheap, easy and highly effective.
So why should we be wearing Hi Vis?
In short, it’s common sense.
Hi Vis can help make sure we are seen quicker, keeping us safe. It allows someone sat in a vehicle to see and avoid us, ensuring they don’t have to live with the guilt of having caused an injury, or even worse.
Regulation … what you need to know
The provision and wearing of Hi Vis clothing for work is covered by the Personal Protective Equipment Regulation 1992 (PPER 1992 and PPER 2022). According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE): “PPER 1992 places a duty on every employer in Great Britain to ensure that suitable PPE is provided to ‘employees’ who may be exposed to a risk to their health or safety while at work.”
What do you need to consider?
Unfortunately, it’s not quite as simple as nipping out to the local merchant and buying a job load of Hi Vis vests. It is important to ensure the clothing you are wearing or providing is both suitable to the risk, and the job. This means making sure that the visibility is sufficient (Hi Vis is classed from category 1 to category 3). For example, someone on the ground working with moving vehicles might require full body Hi Vis.
Fit is equally important, as is comfort. Wearing a vest that is too big and loose could prove a bigger hazard especially if working with machinery. Something to think about too is modern farming workforces include female workers. Just sizing down doesn’t help to properly protect women in farming. Recently there have been more calls for gender appropriate PPE and, in July, Farmers’ Weekly Deputy Editor Abi Kay launched Level The Field, a campaign to raise awareness of what the industry needs to do to ensure safety measures are available to women as well as to the male-dominated workforce.
Did you know?
Responsibilities fall on both the employer and employee when it comes to Hi Vis PPE.
Employers should:
- Provide any Hi Vis clothing needed free of charge and ensure that it is clean and maintained before being given to employees
- Provide storage for clothing when it is not in use
- Provide any information and instruction needed
- Supervise employees to ensure Hi Vis is worn whenever needed
Employees should:
- Wear Hi Vis PPE as provided and instructed by your employer
- Ensure it is well maintained and report any issues to your employer
- Use the correct storage facilities provided when your PPE is not in use
For more information on this, do check out the HSE who provide more detail.
