When Should You Wear a Reflective Vest?

When you’re working outside, your visibility is limited by darkness, fog, rain, snow or other conditions. It might be hard to see from a distance or the side. A reflective vest or jacket can increase your visibility so you don’t have to worry about being hit by a car. Vests aren’t just for construction workers; anyone who works outside should wear one when it gets dark, foggy or rainy. They work best when you have somewhere to stash them away between activities that require you to be seen and those where being seen isn’t as important. Safety professionals recommend getting used to wearing your vest every day until it becomes second nature so you don’t forget it the next time conditions are dangerous. Here are some circumstances when you should wear a safety vest:

Commuting to and from Work
Even if you drive or ride in a car on your way to work, you could still be at risk of being hit by a car from the side. Or if you are walking to or from the bus or train station, you could be in danger. When you walk to and from your place of employment, always wear a reflective vest. You can also wear one when you ride your bike to work. Keep in mind that many workplaces require that employees arrive during daylight hours, so you may not be able to get away with wearing a reflective vest while commuting at night. But you can certainly wear it during your morning walk to work.

Working on the Road or in a Construction Zone
Whether you work in construction or just happen to be near a road with a lot of traffic, you need to wear a vest at all times. You need to be visible at all times because traffic doesn’t stop for you when you’re on foot. If you wear a safety reflective vest, drivers will see you, even if they can’t hear you because you’re wearing ear protection. When you’re working on the road, a vest should be something you put on before you get out of your car. If possible, keep a vest in your car so it’s there when you need it. Make sure it’s the kind that can be washed, so it doesn’t get too gross to wear.

After Dark
When it gets dark outside, you need to be extra careful to make sure you stay safe. This is when your visibility is at its lowest, and that’s why you need to wear a reflective vest if you’re outside after dark. Just because it’s dark outside doesn’t mean you should stop working. But you do need to modify your habits a little bit to make sure you stay safe. If you’re working outside after dark, you should be sure to have a flashlight with you so you can see where you’re going and be seen by others. If you’re walking with a backpack or another bag, make sure it has reflective strips so you are visible from all sides. Keep in mind that while you should avoid working outside at night whenever possible, it isn’t always possible. If you have to work outside at night, you should be more careful than you would be during the day.

Foggy Conditions
Fog and smoke can make it difficult to see, but they also make it hard for others to see you. If you’re working in this kind of weather, you need to wear a reflective vest, possibly with some additional lights or mirrors. It’s important to keep in mind that fog is a very localized phenomenon and can lift or be blown away by the wind. You might not be able to see the fog from your perspective, but someone may be able to see you easily from a distance. Similarly, smoke tends to stay lower to the ground, so you may be able to see it but others may not be able to see you.

Rainy Weather
Rainy weather may not seem dangerous, but you need to be careful when you’re outside in inclement weather. If you’re wearing a reflective vest, you’re helping other people see you from all sides. And if you have additional lights or mirrors, they’re letting others know where you are. If you’re walking, you can help keep yourself safe by avoiding slippery surfaces and traveling paths that are more likely to flood. If you’re working outside, make sure you have appropriate rain gear.

Wrapping Up
Visibility isn’t just about how others can see you, though. It’s also about how you can see. When you’re outside, make sure you have good lighting where you’re working and keep a backup source of light in case you lose power. You should always wear a reflective vest when you’re outside when conditions are dangerous. Make sure to find the vest that fits your needs.