Over recent years the use of high visibility workwear has certainly reduced accidents since its introduction on the railways back in the 1960s. However, does its increasingly widespread use have an effect on its impact and reduce its effectiveness? This was even brought up the chair of the Health and Safety Executive last year.

The main concern that was raised was that if high vis is used excessively it could lead to a situation where no one stands out in the crowd anymore  with everyone becoming so accustomed to seeing it that they may just switch out when it is a case of really needing to see it. It was also pointed out that this is a case where health and safety controls are being incorrectly used as part of blanket policies being used rather than to help manage real risks. We even saw hi-vis jackets being launched for chickens, I kid you not!

The true purpose of this piece of workwear is for safety but has its use become too ubiquitous, as we have seen it even being using on the fashion catwalks, and given to pre-school children to wear whilst in the playground. Where there is no doubt that high visibility coats, waistcoats and tabards are vital in places such as the factory floor or on a construction site, is it logical to use them in offices or playgrounds? People need to use little common sense when applying risk assessment and healthy and safety policies in certain environments.

The chair of the HSE, Ms Judith Hackett has taken this further by setting up a ‘Myth Busters Panel’ to show some of the things attributed to health and safety that just aren’t true, and she is in favour of finding more.

So whatever your view on hi-vis we all know that it saves lifes and is the right thing to wear, but we have to be sure its use is correct. So here at Brookes we concentrate on high visibility workwear that is of a standard and quality that is right for the working environment, but still at the right price that your budget won’t be broken, Check out the latest additions to the range on the website.