As the summer holidays come to an end, September often feels like a fresh start. Schools reopen, businesses return to their usual routines and workplaces become busier again after the quieter weeks of summer.
For many industries, that means more people, vehicles, deliveries and activity taking place in the same areas. On construction sites, in warehouses, around industrial premises and alongside roadside works, making sure people can be seen is an important part of workplace safety.
This month, our Sign of the Month is the High Visibility Jackets Must Be Worn Sign – a clear and straightforward way to remind employees, contractors and visitors when high visibility clothing is required.
Why is visibility important?
High visibility clothing makes pedestrians easier to spot in busy working environments, particularly where people are working around vehicles, machinery or moving plant.
A high visibility jacket or vest can help drivers and plant operators identify people more easily, particularly where there is a lot happening at once. This makes it particularly relevant in places such as:
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Construction sites.
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Warehouses and distribution centres.
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Loading bays and industrial yards.
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Roadside works.
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Vehicle compounds.
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Agricultural and farm environments.
However, simply providing high visibility clothing isn't enough. People also need to understand when and where it must be worn, which is where clear mandatory PPE safety signs can help.
Making PPE requirements clear
Not everyone entering a workplace will be a regular employee. Construction sites, warehouses and industrial premises can have a steady flow of contractors, delivery drivers, engineers and other visitors.
Someone visiting for the first time may not know the site's PPE requirements, particularly if they are entering an operational area for a delivery or collection.
A High Visibility Jackets Must Be Worn Sign provides an immediate visual reminder. Positioned at an appropriate access point, it tells people what is expected before they enter the area.
This is particularly useful where the requirement applies to a specific part of a workplace rather than the entire site.
Where should the signs be displayed?
PPE signs should be positioned where people can see it before entering an area where high visibility clothing is required.
Depending on the workplace, suitable locations could include:
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Pedestrian entrances and gates.
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Warehouse entrances.
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Loading bays.
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Vehicle yards.
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Construction site access points.
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Entrances to industrial areas.
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Access points around roadside works.
For larger sites, it may be appropriate to use signs at several access points. If a new entrance or work area is created, it's also worth reviewing whether additional signage is needed.
After all, a safety sign can only be effective if people can see it.
Particularly important around vehicles
One of the key reasons for requiring high visibility clothing is the interaction between pedestrians and vehicles.
Forklift trucks, delivery vehicles, excavators, telehandlers and other mobile plant can all operate in environments where people are also working or walking. Good site management should include appropriate measures such as designated pedestrian routes, crossing points and suitable separation between people and vehicles.
High visibility clothing forms another part of that approach by helping make pedestrians more easily identifiable.
It should, of course, be used alongside appropriate workplace procedures and traffic management rather than as a replacement for them.
September is a good time to check your signage
As businesses return to their normal routines after the summer, September can be a useful opportunity to review workplace safety signage.
Are signs still clearly visible? Are they positioned at the entrances people actually use? Have any work areas, pedestrian routes or access points changed? Are new employees, contractors or visitors being given clear instructions when they arrive?
It's easy for signage to become overlooked as a workplace changes, particularly on construction and industrial sites where layouts can change frequently.
A quick review can identify areas where an additional mandatory PPE sign could make requirements clearer.
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Read our blog post about how to tell when it’s time to replace your safety signs.
A simple sign with an important message
High visibility clothing is a familiar sight across construction sites, warehouses, industrial premises and roadside works, but clear communication is still important to ensure people know when it is required.
The High Visibility Jackets Must Be Worn Sign provides a simple, unmistakable reminder at the point where it matters. Whether it is being used at a warehouse entrance, on a construction site or around a busy vehicle yard, it helps communicate PPE requirements to employees and visitors alike.
Our PPE and construction site signs are available in a range of sizes and materials, including rigid plastic, aluminium composite and self-adhesive vinyl, making them suitable for a variety of applications.
Browse workplace safety signs from Parrot Signs & Graphics, or contact our team if you need bespoke safety signage for your workplace.