Scottish workers to light up for safety
Road maintenance personnel in southwest Scotland are to be the first to wear a new type of safety workwear in the country.
The protective clothing will be powered by batteries, which aims to deliver a constant light to make them be seen more easily.
In a move that Scotland TranServ, the company first using the clothing, said would help to reinvent “the hi-viz wardrobe “, the fundamental aim is to give more protection to workers.
There are other benefits too.
Drivers will be able to see the workers from much further away, while it could also speed up the road construction work.
Talking about the introduction of the initiative, the health and safety manager for Scotland TranServ, Brian Hume, commented:
“We’ve been working closely with Fhoss Technology to develop this product for use by road workers in what will be a first for Scotland. The health and safety of our employees is of paramount importance to Scotland TranServ as we work on behalf of Transport Scotland to improve the trunk road network across the south west.”
The clothing works by incorporating an illuminated core into the clothing that is enhanced by reflective prismatic tape. The tape and light combination allows for high visibility clothing without the need for any external light source.
Following extensive field trials by Scotland TranServ and Network Rail, the clothing will start to be given to essential roadside workers with immediate effect.
Under trial conditions, the material has allowed drivers to visibly notice road crews from a distance of 300 metres, often in inclement weather.