Hi Vis Hoodies: Why They Matter for Worker Safety and Branding
Visibility is essential when it comes to keeping workers safe. Hi vis hoodies provide the ideal balance of comfort, warmth, and safety, making them an essential part of modern workwear in a variety of sectors. Not only does a hi vis hoodie keep the wearer visible in environments with poor lighting, but they offer an ideal opportunity to promote your brand.
In this article, we'll explore the importance of hi vis hoodies for worker safety, how they meet UK safety regulations, and how you can customise them to reflect your company's brand and still preserve safety.
- Page Contents
- Why Hi Vis Hoodies are Great for Worker Safety
- EN ISO 20471 Compliance: Meeting the Safety Standards
- Customising Hi Vis Hoodies for Your Brand
- Balancing Safety, Comfort, and Branding
- How Often Should You Replace Hi Vis Hoodies?
- XAMAX®: A BSIF Registered Safety Supplier You Can Trust
- Conclusion: Hi Vis Hoodies for Safety and Branding
Why Hi Vis Hoodies are Great for Worker Safety
Hi vis hoodies play an important role in keeping workers visible in hazardous work environments. Being visible may significantly decrease the risk of accidents on a construction site, in a warehouse, or when working near traffic.
Increased Visibility
The fluorescent fabric and retro-reflective strips on hi vis hoodies enhance visibility in both daylight and low-light conditions. Workers who wear high-visibility hoodies are more clearly visible to colleagues and machinery operators, reducing the risk of accidents involving moving vehicles or equipment.
According to the HSE (Health and Safety Executive), a significant number of workplace accidents occur when workers are injured by vehicles or machines. Wearing high-visibility clothing significantly decreases these dangers by helping workers stand out from their surroundings.
Warmth and Comfort in Cooler Conditions
Hi vis hoodies are meant for more than just visibility; they also give comfort. Workers in cold settings need cold protection, and hoodies provide warmth without restricting movement. Hoodies, unlike bulkier jackets, provide greater freedom of movement while keeping workers visible and safe.
This makes hi vis hoodies great for construction workers, warehouse employees, and logistical workers who work both indoors and outside, especially during the colder months.
EN ISO 20471 Compliance: Meeting the Safety Standards
In the United Kingdom, all high-visibility clothing has to meet the EN ISO 20471 standard. This standard sets the minimum requirements for high-visibility workwear, which ensures that workers are visible in unsafe environments.
Fluorescent Fabric
Hi vis hoodies are made from fluorescent fabric that is designed to make the wearer highly visible in daylight or under artificial lighting. The approved colours for EN ISO 20471 compliance are yellow, orange, and in some cases, red (RIS 327 TOM - Railway Spec).
Orange Hi Vis Fabric
Red Hi Vis Fabric (Railway spec)
Yellow Hi Vis Fabric
For Class 2 compliant hoodies, at least 0.50 m² of fluorescent fabric is required, ensuring that a significant portion of the wearer’s body is visible from a distance.
Retro-Reflective Tape
The retro-reflective tape on hi vis hoodies reflects light back towards the source, making the wearer visible at night or in low-light conditions. Hi vis hoodies must include reflective strips placed around the torso and, where possible, on the arms.
Light off
Light on
A Class 2 hoodie needs at least 0.13 m² of reflective tape, ensuring that the wearer is visible from all angles.
Customising Hi Vis Hoodies for Your Brand
Hi vis hoodies aren’t just about safety—they’re also a great way to promote your company through custom branding. Adding your company logo to hi vis hoodies can help distinguish your team from others, whether they're on a construction site, in a warehouse, or out on deliveries.
Custom Printing and EN ISO 20471
When customising hi-vis hoodies, it's essential to confirm that the positioning and size of your logo doesn't conflict with EN ISO 20471 compliance. Large logos may cover too much of the fluorescent material, reducing the hoodie's overall visibility and perhaps leaving it non-compliant with safety standards.
For instance:
A Class 2 hoodie requires 0.50 m² of fluorescent material. A huge logo covering 0.10 m² decreases the viewable area, potentially dropping below the compliance threshold.
To avoid this, try reducing your logo's size or removing background colours so the garment fabric shows through. This ensures that your logo is visible while safeguarding the safety of your workers.
Strategic Use of Contrast Panels
Some hi vis hoodies come with contrast panels - usually darker areas on the sleeves, cuffs, or hemline that are designed to resist and/or hide dirt. In some cases, these panels provide an excellent opportunity to place your logo, as they won’t interfere with the garment’s high visibility.
Embroidery Options
Consider embroidery for your logos to give them a more lasting and polished look. Embroidery works particularly well on high-visibility hoodies, giving a high-quality finish that will endure harsh working conditions. XAMAX® will make sure the logo area is small enough to comply with EN ISO 20471.
Balancing Safety, Comfort, and Branding
While safety is the main concern, it is also important to ensure that your staff are comfortable throughout their shifts. Hi vis hoodies are flexible enough to provide both protection and comfort. Here's what to look for when choosing hi vis hoodies for your team.
Fabric Weight and Breathability
Choose a hoodie that’s appropriate for your working conditions. A heavier fabric might provide more warmth in colder environments, while a lighter, breathable fabric could be more suitable for workers who are physically active or in warmer conditions.
Mobility and Fit
Hi vis hoodies should allow workers to move freely without restriction. A good fit is essential for ensuring that the hoodie stays in place while working, but it should also be roomy enough to layer underneath in when the temperature drops further.
Durability
Workers in sectors such as construction and logistics face difficult conditions. Choose hoodies made of sturdy fabrics that can survive regular wear and tear without losing their safety qualities. Reflective tape should also be durable, since worn or fractured tape may reduce visibility.
How Often Should You Replace Hi Vis Hoodies?
Just like other hi vis garments, hoodies will wear out over time. Fluorescent fabric can fade with repeated washing or prolonged exposure to sunlight, and reflective tape can crack or peel, reducing its effectiveness.
Signs that it’s time to replace a hi vis hoodie
- Faded fluorescent colours that no longer stand out.
- Cracked or peeling reflective strips that don’t reflect light as effectively.
- General wear and tear, such as torn seams or stretched fabric.
To ensure your workers stay safe and compliant with EN ISO 20471, regularly inspect their hoodies for these signs of damage. Most hi vis hoodies should be replaced after 25 washes or sooner if they show visible signs of wear.
XAMAX®: A BSIF Registered Safety Supplier You Can Trust
At XAMAX®, we recognise the critical importance of keeping your workers safe, comfortable, and visible. As a BSIF (British Safety Industry Federation) Registered Supplier, we ensure that all of our high visibility hoodies exceed the strict EN ISO 20471 requirements.
Whether you want high-visibility hoodies for cold weather or lightweight alternatives for year-round wear, we have a variety of customisation options that can show off your company's image while keeping your team compliant with safety regulations.
We offer customisable hi vis hoodies and a wide variety of other workwear for different industries. From hoodies to safety footwear, our products ensure safety and comfort. Visit the XAMAX® homepage to explore more.
Conclusion: Hi Vis Hoodies for Safety and Branding
Hi vis hoodies are a versatile, comfortable solution for workers who need to stay visible and protected in all conditions. Whether you’re operating in low-light environments or in colder weather, choosing a hi vis hoodie that meets EN ISO 20471 standards is crucial for ensuring your team’s safety.
At the same time, custom branding options like printing and embroidery allow you to promote your business without compromising safety. By working with XAMAX®, you can strike the perfect balance between safety, comfort, and brand visibility.