Safety Vest Purposes September 15 2017

The type of safety vest most people are familiar with and see most often are the ones worn by the Department of Transportation. However, there are a multitude of other professions that require them as well. You have also likely seen them used for a variety of purposes and in different situations. While their main purpose is for safety, there are defined reasons an employer might make a safety vest a dress code policy.

Safety

Whether you’re working an event directing traffic or putting up road signs, the main goal is for you to be safe while completing the task. A safety vest will alert drivers that you are present and working. Upon recognizing the vest, they will be able to take the proper measures to avoid interfering with your safety before they approach the area you are working in. They can move over, slow down, or come to a complete stop. If you are holding a sign, they might not realize it’s applicable until they see you in your vest holding it. At other times, when a sign is not necessary, the vest will act in its place.

Identification

Events such as professional sporting games, concerts, and fairs are hectic enough as it is. The last thing you need is for your job as an event staff to be made more complicated by attendees not knowing you are there to assist them. Wearing a safety vest will help make their experience go smoother and your job a lot easier. They will immediately recognize the vest you’re wearing and approach you when they need help. Without the vest, they will try to figure it out on their own, leaving questions unanswered and situations improperly handled. Additionally, if there is an accident or emergency situation, they can reach you easily and not have to guess at who is there to help them.

Directions

It’s not unusual for people to get lost during events or traffic detours. Your safety vest automatically signals to them that they need to approach you to receive directions on where to go. At this point, your hand signals can serve as directions. This will alleviate traffic congestion whether it’s foot or vehicle traffic. In many circumstances, drivers or pedestrians won’t have to slow down or stop, speeding up the flow.

Your employer might require you to wear a safety vest for any one or all of the reasons above. Their purpose is to keep you safe no matter what your job is, help others identify you as an employee their to assist them, and to help you direct people without having to use verbal communication. Beyond those purposes, they allow you to work more productively and effectively.