Safety always comes first in the workplace, especially for those who are exposed to hazardous materials or risky environments. Any company will provide the required personal protective equipment (PPE) that their employees need, whether it is safety shoes, safety gloves, safety goggles, or ear muffs. But wait a minute. Those only cover our extremities. What about our torso? Well, that is where the safety vest comes in.
But aside from the obvious reason that safety vests protect a person’s body from potential risks and injuries in the workplace, why else do we need them?
What is a Safety Vest Used for?
One piece of PPE that is rather important is the safety vest. Safety vests are amazing. They are lightweight and comfortable and can be worn in almost every situation. The reason they are made to be so is to give breathability and flexibility of movement without hindering a person at work. This is because safety vests are usually worn in situations where visibility is compromised. So safety vests allow the wearers to be seen and alert the people around them of their presence. But of course, that is not all. Let’s take a look at other reasons why safety vests are crucial in the workplace and also the hazards.
Why Do You Need a Safety Vest at Your Job Site?
Safety vests play an important role in protecting us at work when we are faced with hazards. But what do they do for us exactly?
1. Safety vests act as protective clothing
Made with durable materials, a safety vest will be your first layer of protection in the event of an accident. It will protect your body from harm’s way to a certain degree. But of course, safety vests work best when put together with other safety apparel.
2. Safety vests have high visibility
Safety vests are made to be bright in colour and of reflective material to have high visibility. This way, the wearer can be seen in darker places and in the distance even when the lighting is not great.
3. Safety vests are resistant to fire
If your job scope requires you to work with high temperatures or in close contact with fire, a safety vest is your best friend. Not only is it able to withstand extreme heat, but it can also actually save you should an accident occur in the workplace.
4. Safety vests are waterproof
Working with dangerous liquids such as those that are corrosive in nature can be quite a challenge. While it may not be able to eliminate the risk completely, a safety vest will be able to minimise the impact on you in case of accidental spillage or unexpected incidents.
10 Types of Hazards in the Workplace that Will Require One to Wear a Safety Vest
Hazards are aplenty in a variety of workplace environments. Here are 10 common hazards in the workplace. If your job relates to or consists of the following, more likely than not, you will be required to wear a safety vest.
- Working at extreme heights
- Working with heavy machinery
- Working around fire hazards
- Exposure to radiation
- Working with dangerous chemicals and liquids
- Handling dangerous gases
- Working with electricity
- Working in construction
- Working with biological hazards
- Working in a place with poor safety regulations
What are Safety Vests Made of?
Safety vests are made of reflective material and are usually in a bright colour. They are most commonly worn by people who work jobs that require them to be attention-grabbing when needed. Think of them as walking signboards. You know they are there, but they are not a hindrance.
For example, construction workers (for passersby to know that there are construction works ahead), traffic controllers (so motorists can follow their directions when there is high traffic), and emergency personnel (so the public knows who to make way for in an urgent situation).
In a Nutshell
Safety vests are not to be underestimated. They may not be the most beautiful visually, but they are definitely not to be underestimated in the face of hazards.
Now, did you know that safety vests come in different classes based on the amount of reflective material and high contrast? From Class 1 to Class 3, the degree of reflectivity and intensity of the colour of a safety vest goes up. Class 1 safety vests are usually worn in relatively low-impact areas, whereas Class 3 safety vests are worn in areas of high traffic.
This is why many printed safety vests are custom safety vests by companies according to the levels of hazards and risks in the workplace. So if you ever need a customized safety vest in Singapore, hit us up here at Custom Prints & Apparel. We are open to consultations to meet your needs for a customized safety vest in Singapore and more.
