If you are working in the landscaping industry, you must have the best protection available in the market. As landscape workers, you have to work out in the open air and endure the sweltering heat. In addition to that, there are bugs, cold winds during winters and you have to have tolerance for working long hours. With all of the uncomfortable conditions, you deserve to stay protected and comfortable with your high visibility workwear.
Now, the question is that how would you know you are getting the right garment. That is where we enter to help you out. We have got for you 5 tips on how to choose the best high visibility workwear for yourself. So, keep reading!
1. High Visibility Vs Enhanced Visibility Workwear
The first thing to consider when buying workwear is to decide whether you want high visibility clothing or the one that enhances your visibility. The difference between the two depends upon your working conditions. Before getting your work apparel, go through the standards you need to meet. This would involve the colors you need to wear and the amount of visibility your gear will provide you.
If you are working around heavy machinery and equipment or big moving vehicles then you will probably need to wear high visibility gear. While if you are working in conditions where you are not working with any heavy moving equipment then you can just wear an enhanced visibility vest. These also help in telling the workers apart according to their roles. As both these types of clothes require you to fulfill different requirements.
2. Fabric
The physical movement that you do as a landscape worker, requires you to get the workwear that is moisture-wicking, breathable, and flexible. This would help to get you dried up quickly if you get wet due to sweating. Another advantage is that it will provide you with enough space for a wide range of motion.
It should also have additional features such as built-in flex points around the joints so that you can move easily. Your safety uniforms should also have air vents that facilitate the circulation of air. This would help to keep you cool and dry at all times. Furthermore, ensure that the material you buy is close-knitted because you do not want dust to enter through your clothes.
In addition to that, make sure to look for fabric that has anti-microbial and anti-fungal properties. This way it would smell if you sweat and would keep you germ-free.
High Quality
Try and get high-quality fabric. You do not want to compromise on the price of your work gear. As cheap uniforms would not last that long and you would have to change them very often. It is always better to invest once rather than paying it a million times again.
Stays Reflective
The fabric used in making the uniforms should also maintain its fluorescence. Therefore, you can buy fabrics like polyester or nylon that stay florescent for longer periods. Your work gear should be reflective and bright enough for working in dark areas. Opt for colors like yellow, green, or orange, so you can stay visible at all times. Get garments that have reflective strips on both the front and the back.
Tough and Fireproof
Another thing to consider about the fabric is that it should be durable. This is so that it can bear the tough conditions of the work you do. Get material that is fire retardant, if you work in conditions where you can contact fire.
3. Temperature Appropriate Material
Make sure that you buy gear that is appropriate for the climatic conditions that you work in. If you are working in hot conditions that you can opt for cotton or mesh vests. These would be much better than wearing jackets under the sun on a hot day.
No matter what sort of climatic condition you work in, you should get material that has moisture-wicking properties. So that you do not stew or freeze in your own pool of sweat. Your uniform should have to ability to dry up quickly. So that you stay comfortable at all times.
On the other hand, during winter you can get high visibility jackets that would keep you both warm and safe. Make sure that these jackets fulfill the standards of visibility so that you stay protected at all times.
4. Offers Enhanced Protection
Working on a landscape may expose you to many hazards. These may include, thorns, various chemicals or fertilizers, poison ivy, or other things that might cause your skin to peel or burn. Therefore, you should make sure to wear uniforms that include additional accessories to help protect you from them. You can wear gloves, fully closed shoes with socks and caps that can protect you all around. You should make sure to not expose your body to open air. Your uniform should provide full coverage.
5. Must Be Waterproof
Make sure that your safety uniforms are weather-proof. This suggests that they should be strong against both water and dust. As when working on a landscape, getting wet under the rain is always a threat. Thus you should be prepared at all times. This can only happen if your gear is waterproof. It will help you to stay dry under the rain.