As daylight becomes shorter during the winter months, workers need to stand out and be noticed in their work area! PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE) - REFLECTIVE Safety Apparel/ Clothing – Jackets, Pants, Vests, Gloves and Hard Hats are key. Consider Premium Bomber Jackets 5-in-1 LIME or ORANGE or a combination of both with 2” Reflective material which is 100% ANSI Polyester with PU coating and is breathable and waterproof is a great Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) tool to safeguard against danger and keep them warm in the harsh winter elements.

     Drivers have more ways from cell phones to GPS to be distracted while going through a work zone, making it vitally important to be seen well in advance. The US Department of Transportation reports 3,142 lives were lost in 2019 due to distracted driving the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics https://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/cfoi.pdf reported. The Federal Highway Administration https://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/cfoi.pdf reported the number of deaths in 2019 Construction and maintenance work zones averages about 774 per year going back 11 years. Class 3 Reflective clothing is important!

     It’s a given workers get their clothes dirty in some jobs more than others. Take time daily to ensure everyone is wearing clean brightly colored and easy to see HIGH VISIBILITY CLASS 3’s. Pants and or Shin Reflectors are important as well. The question everyone must ask themselves is: are you doing everything possible to ensure worker safety or just enough to get by an inspector? Work Zone Safety is everyone’s responsibility.

     Be the leader who insists everyone takes responsibility for PPE in work zones!