Neese Viz
If you are looking for high-visibility rain and safety wear, then the NeeseViz line is for you! Traffic zones, work zones, and operations around heavy equipment require that special precautions and considerations be taken. NeeseViz features basic visibility wear as well as specialized ANSI Class 2 and Class 3 approved rainwear, jackets, vests, and shirts in fluorescent lime and orange. When there is a need to be seen, use NeeseViz for your safety and performance wear requirements.
The Need to Be Seen
In the outdoor working environment there are many serious potential dangers and hazards to contend with. Vehicle hazards such as fast moving cars and trucks often speed past, often within inches of workers. Drivers that are distracted, impatient, or careless rarely slow down to a safe speed and can easily swerve outside of their lanes. Noise and focused tasks makes it difficult for workers to hear or notice approaching vehicles and equipment. The operators of heavy equipment and trucks face limited visibility and even the most attentive operators find it difficult to see workers on foot. A majority of work is done at night or when light levels low at dawn, dusk, and sometimes during inclement weather. The visibility problems cause many of the deaths and injuries that happen when workers get hit by vehicles or mobile equipment.
The use of high-visibility apparel serves as a first line of defense to protect workers against being struck by a vehicle of piece of equipment that would otherwise not be able to see them during the day or night. The United States Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recognizes the value of high visibility apparel to protect workers it requires employers to outfit employees with "reflectorized and highly visible materials to enhance worker safety." Also, the U.S. Department of Transportation's Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices specifies high-visibility clothing for flaggers, law enforcement officers, and others involved in managing work-zone traffic.
ANSI/ISEA 107-2004
The American National Standards Institute developed this voluntary standard understanding the need for high visibility apparel for workers in hazardous environments. This standard outlines three different classes of garment protection levels. Each class has its own requirements for reflective materials used in the garment. Even though the employer is ultimately responsible for determining the class of garment in regards to the work environment, these protection levels are designed to meets the needs of different situations.
Class 1
High visibility Garments that are classified as class one are intended for use in activities that permit the wearer's full and undivided attention to approaching traffic. In this environment there should be ample separation of the worker from traffic the traffic hazard.
Class 2
Garments in class two are intended for use in work activities where greater visibility is necessary during inclement weather conditions or in work environments with risks that exceed those for class one. Garments in class two are designed to protect workers who perform tasks that divert their attention from approaching traffic, or put them in close proximity to passing vehicles.
Class 3
These garments provide the highest level of visibility and are intended for workers who face serious hazards and often have high risk task loads that require attention away from their surroundings. Garments for workers in this level situation should provide enhanced visibility to more of the body, such as the arms and legs. In a class three situation, workers face vehicles traveling at high speeds and wearers are needed to be conspicuous and identifiable as a person through the full range of body motions.
