Recent updates to safety regulations have addressed the importance of the hi vis vest, a type of long overlooked piece of safety equipment. ANSI 107 and OSHA 1910.269 collectively address what was formerly type of gap in safety regulations regarding FR security. A hi vis vest is categorized as primary security or job specific in high hazard risk situations, and it is the first layer of security for your workers. Since your employees are wearing FR workwear to fulfill OSHA 1910.269, it must follow that the first layer protecting them from danger is fire resistant as well.
ANSI 107 now makes this a necessity. Workers can adhere to these criteria by wearing FR daily wear, which complies with ANSI 107 visibility requirements, but because compliance is an ongoing issue facing safety managers, employee comfort must be taken into account. Daily FR workwear, which are fully respected by ANSI 107, limit employees choices on what product they wish to wear daily. In addition, wearing a heavy vest, which meets higher FR criteria, might be problematic on a hot day. This makes type of lighter weight FR hi vis mesh vest become the best choice for worker. Lightweight vests are not hard to find, but before you define, understand that OSHA 1910.269 and ANSI 107 require the safety vest meets specific safety criteria.
Hi vis vests made of FR treated fabric and polyesters are no longer considered compliant because these fabrics can give rise to the hazard. Polyester and nylon continue to burn ignition and will melt and drip hot, molten plastic, which may cause 2nd and 3rd degree burns even when employee is wearing FR equipment underneath. To be compliant using the updated standards of OSHA 1910.269 and ANSI 107, the cloth of the vest must be really flame resistant. OSHA now believes that it is reasonable and appropriate to take care of required FR and arc rated clothes as PPE. Layering type of vest on top of FR daily wear shouldn’t create an additional hazard to the wearer. The FR reflective vest is a key component of today’s PPE for both employee protection and compliance. OSHA 1910.269 specifically states it is the employers liability to assure their staff or contractors outer layer of security conforms to these standards.