Personal protective equipment (PPE) is not always a matter of physical protection. For many occupations, one of the most important requirements in personal protection is simply the ability to be seen at all times. One of the best ways to achieve high visibility is with reflective clothing. How do you select the right reflective clothing for your industry? Here is a guide from CHARNAUD®.

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Tips for Choosing the Best Reflective Clothing

 As you select good reflective clothing for your business, keep the following tips in mind:

  • Safety regulations: Before you buy reflective clothing, first make sure that the clothes you choose comply with the safety regulations that are applicable to your industry. Ask your PPE supplier whether their reflective clothing is compliant with the appropriate ANSI, EN, or the various state OSHAs in the United States, for example. If you are not sure what safety standards are relevant in your industry, be sure to ask the appropriate authorities and seek advice from your supplier.
  • Weather conditions: What climate and weather conditions does your team most often work in? This will be a key factor to help determine the kind of PPE you should choose. A reflective vest may be appropriate for a hot day on a construction site, but you will need something heavier and more substantial if you will be directing traffic on a rainy night. Basically, reflectivity is not the only quality you should look at. Consider comfort, fit, and other protection requirements as well.
  • Colours: Most people associate the term “reflective clothing” with bright yellow or orange vests, but high visibility clothes come in several colours, including green, red and pink. You may want standard orange or yellow, or you may want something more specific.
  • Size and fit: First and foremost, make sure your team members are comfortable when they wear their reflective clothing. Check the design of each garment for comfort and make sure you have the right sizes to fit your team.

Read our blog for more tips and advice on all varieties of PPE.

Reflective Clothing from CHARNAUD®

Many of CHARNAUD®’s product lines include reflective clothing items that are designed both to offer full physical protection appropriate for the common risks your team may face, and to maintain high visibility as your workers carry out their tasks. These include coats and trousers for firefighters in our FIRE-SAFE® range, electrical PPE in our SURVIVE-ARC® product line – and more.

Browse our complete collection of PPE clothing and accessories to find the high-visibility clothing that is most suited to you, or feel free to contact us for advice.

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