Hi Vis Workwear
Keep safe and stay seen with hi vis workwear such as hi vis vests, hi vis jackets, hi vis shirts, hi vis polos, hi vis overalls, outerwear, flame retardant and cargo pants. The reflective material is too bright to miss, therefore reducing accidents on site. Our extensive range of hi vis workwear complies with AS/NZS 1906.4: 2010 – High Visibility Materials, and AS/NZS 4602.1: 2011 – High Visibility Safety Garments. High-visibility workwear is crucial in Australia, primarily for industries like construction, mining, and roadworks where safety is paramount. The reflective gear significantly reduces workplace accidents by ensuring workers are easily seen in low-light conditions and busy environments.
The first thing that you need to think about when selecting the right hi vis workwear for your needs, is what type of job will you be performing. There are a number of different options available, and each will have slightly different requirements. For instance, if you are a construction worker, then choosing something like a hard hat with reflective tape or high visibility clothing may be more appropriate than other types of wear.
Another factor to consider when choosing the right hi vis workwear, is how comfortable it is going to be during your shift. You need to find garments that allow you to move freely while also providing adequate protection against any potential hazards on the job site. This might mean finding a hard hat that is lightweight or finding protective clothing that is lightweight and breathable.
It is also important to make sure that the hi vis clothing you select is going to be visible in all types of lighting conditions. This means that you need to find items that are brightly coloured or have reflective strips or patches. If you’re going to be working near traffic, then finding clothing that meets these requirements is even more important.
Finally, you need to think about how often you will be wearing the hi vis workwear. If you’re wearing it daily, then investing in better quality items is a good idea, since they should last longer and provide better protection against potential hazards.
High visibility workwear standards have recently changed, and many employers may be unaware of the changes. It is important to know what to look for when purchasing workwear for yourself and your employees, especially when it comes to complying with Australian Standards.
The first step in choosing the right workwear is to understand the Australian Standards that are currently in place.
High Vis Workwear Range
Hi Vis Shirts
At WorkArmour, we specialise in top-quality WorkCraft work shirts that are designed to help you get your job done in safety and comfort. We offer a range of fits, sizes and styles to suit both men and women across Australia
Hi Vis Polos
WorkArmour specialises in top-quality WorkCraft hi vis polos that are designed to help you get your job done in safety and comfort. We offer a range of fits, sizes and styles to suit both men and women across Australia.
Hi Vis Jumpers & Hoodies
At WorkArmour, we specialise in top-quality WorkCraft hi vis fleecies & hoodies that are designed to help you get your job done in safety and comfort. We offer a range of fits, sizes and styles across Australia.
Hi Vis Jackets
Having a durable cover up such as fleece, waterproof jacket or hi visibility jackets will provide the outer layer of protection you need. Ensure that your arms are not exposed with a jacket that’s practical and well designed. Waterproof and Breathability ratings that exceed industry standards means that you can work in the worst weather conditions and be protected. Our Hi Vis jackets comply with AS/NZS 1906.4: 2010 – High Visibility Materials, and AS/NZS 4602.1: 2011 – High Visibility Safety Garments
Frequently Asked Questions About Hi Vis Workwear
1. What does hi-vis mean?
The term 'hi vis' stands for 'high visibility. The Australian government mandates compliance with industry regulations for hi-vis attire. The standard AS/NZS 4602.1 must be met by all hi visibility garments used for high-risk applications, which includes exposure to hazards such as moving vehicles, equipment, and other high-risk situations. The standard AS/NZS 1906.4 involves hi vis and retro-reflective materials and devices used for road traffic control. It specifies the physical properties for the various high visibility materials, along with the photometric and colorimetric qualities
Wearing hi-vis clothing plays a crucial role as it ensures that the people are visible from a distance, which helps avoid accidents otherwise caused by visibility issues.
2. Who wears hi-vis clothing?
Generally, people working at congested traffic zones, mines, and construction sites are mandated to wear hi-vis gear. Wearing hi-vis helps workers stand out against the smoky, crowded, and noisy background. Additionally, it alerts drivers and heavy machine operators of workers' presence, and accidents can be avoided.
3. Why do tradies wear hi-vis workwear?
Tradies who work on busy worksites like regular traffic or hazardous materials on construction sites wear hi-vis workwear. This workwear ensures employee safety and helps in making the labourers stand out against their background.
4. Is hi-vis yellow or green?
According to Australian Standard AS/NZS 1906.4.2010, yellow (or lime) and orange are the two colours that meet this standard for daytime hi-vis. Hi-vis with reflective tape is also an important part of this type of clothing.
5. What colour hi-vis should I wear?
It depends on the nature of your work and your working hours. If you work on a construction site during the daytime, you should prefer wearing a fluorescent fabric, typically yellow or orange, that covers at least 0.4 m2 of your torso. Consider wearing hi-vis clothing with reflective tape if you are working at night.
6. Can you wear an hi-vis on the building site?
Yes, you can wear hi-vis clothing on a construction site as far as it covers at least 0.4 m2 of your torso. The company logo should not cover more than 10 x 10 cm of surface area. If you are working onsite at night, make sure your attire complies with the reflective tape mandate.
7. What is the best workwear?
Workwear for workers on construction sites will vary with those working in hazardous situations like close to power lines. A work uniform that suits your job, complies with Australian standards and provides safety could be a good investment.
8. Is hi-vis workwear mandatory?
Hi-vis is mandatory for tradies working on construction sites, mines, warehouses, and high traffic zones. They are mandated to wear a high vis that covers the torso at the minimum and full apparel at the highest end. The hi-vis clothing should also comply with the colour standards mandated by the Australian government.
9. Do you have to wear a hi-vis in a warehouse?
Most warehouses are surrounded by tall shelves of products, forklifts, and heavy machinery. Hence, the Australian government has mandated warehouse owners and operators to provide hi-vis clothing for their employees.
10. What is the difference between yellow and orange hi-vis?
Wearing a hi-vis garment ensures that you stand out against the background. Both yellow and orange hi-vis are permissible. However, yellow hi-vis appears to be brighter, and orange generally denotes a hazard. Your onsite Health & Safety Officer must decide the appropriate hi-vis clothing for the job you do.
11. Why do construction workers wear orange?
Construction workers generally wear fluorescent orange as it helps to stand out against smoky, translucent, and dim backgrounds on construction sites. The orange hi-vis signifies a sense of warning or hazard, reflecting the degree of danger they might face.
12. Is red considered a hi-vis?
When it comes to Australian high visibility standards, Orange-red, Yellow, Red, Orange, and Yellow are approved hi-vis colours. Workers working at night or in a dim-lit space must wear hi-vis with reflective tapes to ensure maximum visibility.
13. Why should you wear hi-vis clothing in an emergency?
High visibility clothing ensures any person in an emergency is distinctively visible to rescuing teams and fellow onsite personnel. Quite often, emergencies can have smoke or low lighting in a high-intensity situation. Hi-vis clothing ensures that the person in need of help is visible.
14. What are the classes of hi-vis garments?
There are six classes of hi-vis garments.
- Class D (daytime use, fluorescent colours, not meant for night)
- Class N (provide high visibility in the dark, retroreflective tapes)
- Class D/N (Class D and N compliant)
- Class F (fluorescent fabrics for day use only)
- Class R (retroreflective material for night use only)
- Class RF (Class F and R compliant)
15. Which hi-vis workwear should I buy?
The type of job you do on construction sites, mining locations, high traffic zones, and warehouses varies. You should buy hi-vis clothing that fits your onsite safety requirements and meets the compliance standards applicable to your job.
We aim to deliver reputable, high-quality workwear customers as well as across Australia. Our specially selected range including products from WorkCraft™ and Flamebuster®, are some of the most recognised brands in workwear, so you can rest assured that you’re getting quality clothing. Made from the most appropriate materials, carefully designed and delivered to you at affordable prices, at WorkAmour we only provide the best.
Brands
From trade to transport, the WorkCraft™ range has been designed and manufactured to exceed the demands of modern industry. Every item is rugged and hardwearing, but not at the expense of fit, comfort and ease of movement.
Flamebuster®’s Wildland firefighting garments are designed to protect workers who may be exposed to open flames. The Arc Flash protection range, meanwhile, are highly visible flame resistant garments designed for the demands of everyday workwear, without compromising on safety, comfort and quality. All Flamebuster® garments are made from an assortment of Flameguard® treated FR fabrics with the option of inherent FR fabric if needed.
The following guidelines will help you navigate through this process and ensure your hi vis workwear meets all safety requirements.
Check for high visibility markings on clothing
The standard AS/NZS 4602:1999 outlines the standards for high visibility clothing, including colours and reflective markings. Workwear should meet these standards if it is being worn outdoors during low-light conditions to help increase visibility of employees working near traffic.
Ensure workwear has flame-resistant properties
If work involves potential exposure to flames or other sources of ignition, consider buying flame-resistant (FR) material for your workwear. The standard AS/NZS 1906.4:2010 outlines the standards for FR materials, including fabrics and clothing construction, as well as testing and labelling requirements.
Choose protective safety gear
When working in potentially hazardous environments, it is important to wear appropriate safety gear such as gloves, eye protection and hard hats if required by your workplace. Protection against chemical exposure is also crucial; look for anti-vapor or liquid-proof workwear that will help keep you safe from chemicals such as acids or fuel spills.
If your company is still using old hi vis shirts or tops that measure less than 0.2m on the front and back, it's time to upgrade! All the shirts we recommend and supply, adhere to the latest safety standards, with a high visibility area of 0.2m or more. This means that you’ll be more visible to passing traffic, whether you're working on the roadside or near a building site.
If you're looking for the best high visibility shirts and tops on the market, look no further than our online workwear store. We stock a huge range of products from the leading brands, including WorkCraft, WorkArmour and Flame Buster, so you can be sure to find exactly what you need. Whether you need a short sleeve shirt for summer or a long sleeve option for winter, we've got you covered.
The coloured side panel has also been modified. Now, the high visibility material needs to encircle the entire torso. As a result, a full side panel is no longer compliant. Whilst you might find cheaper alternatives, the use of these products on a worksite could compromise your safety.
When it comes to choosing the right workwear for your business, it's important to consider all the potential hazards that your employees might face on the job. One hazard that is often overlooked is the danger of being struck by a vehicle. Safe Work Australia identified some industries as priority areas.
These are industries with high rates of fatalities and injuries or involve hazardous work.
· Transport, Postal and Warehousing
· Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing
· Construction
· Community and Personnel Service Workers
· Machinery Operators and Drivers
To help protect your employees from these dangers, it is important to make sure that their workwear includes high-visibility materials that will make them more visible to traffic. In addition to making sure that your employees' workwear is compliant with all applicable safety standards, you should also regularly inspect it to make sure that it is in good condition and that all the reflectors are clean and visible.
Occupation of workers
In 2019, workers in the following occupations killed:
· 72 Machinery operators and drivers (39% of all fatalities)
· 29 Labourers (16% of all fatalities), including farm, forestry, and garden workers
· 28 Technicians and Tradespeople (15% of all fatalities)
· 25 Managers (13% of all fatalities).
High visibility garments must be compliant to two standards:
- ASNZS 4602.1. - High Visibility Garments
- AS/NZS1906.4 - High Visibility Materials
High visibility garments (AS/NZS4602) are classified by three classes:
- Class D: Day Use Only (minimum 0.4m2 of fluorescent fabric on the upper torso)
- Class N: Night Use Only (reflective tape applied according to standards)
- Class D/N: Day and Night Use (combination of the above two requirements)
High visibility safety materials are classified in three classes:
- Class F: Fluorescent fabric (Day Use Only).
- Class R: Reflective fabric for (Night Use Only).
- Class RF: Both Fluorescent and Reflective (Day/Night Use).
UV Protection
Hi Vis Workwear, should have ultraviolet protection and must comply with AS/NZS4399 (UV Protection). For employees that work outside and are exposed to the sun, the UPF rating on garments should be 40-50+ (Excellent Category). Ensure that AS/NZS4602 and AS/NZS4399 (UV Protection) compliance are shown or permanently attached to garments.